Breathe. This is refreshing.

This is for those who want to immerse themselves in the true essence of Kiwi (whether it’s a kawakawa steam treatment or a beer with the locals). Traditional hongi greeting, image: Tourism Rotorua

Activate Your New Zealand Escape Here

Whether it’s bungy jumping and skiing in Queenstown or glacier adventures on the West Coast, Wellington’s capital of cool or Rotorua’s rich Maori culture – get the inside word on New Zealand culture, activities, entertainment and events and start creating an unforgettable Kiwi trip of a lifetime.

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EXPERIENCE. THIS IS NOT FOR TOURISTS.

This is for travellers (leave your limitations at home; this journey is going to be life-changing). Hawthorn Lounge, image: Positively Wellington Tourism

What's on in New Zealand

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    The Wizard returns to The Square

    Four long years after the Canterbury earthquakes forced him off his famous patch in Cathedral Square, iconic orator, thinker and, er, wizard The Wizard of New Zealand has returned to the spot that helped to make his name  and elevated him to the status of the country’s favourite and official spellslinger (sorry, Gandalf). If you’re in Christchurch, you need to get along for a listen!

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  • World Buskers Festival 2015

    Drag superstars, burlesque royalty and top comics are among the line-up at Christchurch’s iconic annual street performance event, the 2015 SCIRT World Buskers Festival, running January 15 – 25. The biggest street performance festival in Australasia is always a highlight of the Christchurch summer featuring some of the finest highly skilled acrobatics, hoola-hoopers, trapeze artists,

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  • Eddie Izzard – Force Majeure

    The comedian described by The Los Angeles Times “The funniest man in, well, pretty much all of the known universe” returns to New Zealand with Force Majeure, his most extensive world tour ever. When Izzard says “world tour”, he means it – before reaching NZ, the actor, fashion icon and runner will have visited Europe, Africa, Russia, the UK, Canada, America, India, Nepal, and the Far East.

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  • Cricket World Cup 2015

    The cricketing world’s showcase comes to New Zealand shores for the first time since 1992 when the nation co-hosts the 2015 Cricket World Cup. 14 teams, thousands of visitors and a television audience of a billion people will converge on New Zealand as grounds in Auckland, Hamilton, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin host pool matches and knock out games.

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  • Foo Fighters tour in February

    Excitement’s been building ever since the announcement that that rock superstars the Foo Fighters will be returning to New Zealand in February 2015 for their biggest local shows ever (with special guests Rise Against). Rock headliners for 20 years, The Foo Fighters line up of  Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear are sure to be in fine form.

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  • One Meal To Rule Them All

    You’ve heard of dinner and a movie, but how about dinner in a movie? Lord of the Rings fans can now get their gastronomic geek on and dine like a Hobbit at The Green Dragon Inn by taking an Evening Dinner Tour at the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata. With Hobbiton brought into the electric 21st century, the Hobbiton Movie Set experience now offers after-dark tours.

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  • NZ’s Burlesque Revival

    Destination NZ pulls back the beaded curtain on New Zealand’s increasingly hot burlesque scene in our extended chat with one of the experienced local and international stars of the form – Wellington-based tasselled temptress Rachel Rouge – to get the lowdown on the local scene, the history, the hottest performers in New Zealand burlesque, and the best stories.

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  • Kiki Beware, Dunedin

    Snug in its heritage building and surrounded by some of Dunedin’s finest boutique shopping in its CBD location, The Finest Quality  Kiki Beware Refreshment Room – or just Kiki Beware for short, if that’s a bit much of a mouthful when you’re trying to make your lunch plans – is a kooky, quirky and modern boutique café that’s quickly become one of Dunedin’s favourite haunts.

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  • City Works Depot, Auckland

    If you’re looking for Auckland’s new go-to casual dining destination, head to the corner of Wellesley Street West and Nelson Street to find the City Works Depot. This hub of creative cuisine, situated alongside advertising agencies and branding gurus, utilises repurposed workshops where the Auckland City Council once serviced buses, trucks, and road-building equipment.

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  • Designing NZ – Killer Kiwi Fashion

    Looking to burn some serious plastic and pick up some killer Kiwi threads? For a small country a long way from Paris, New York, or Milan, New Zealand punches well above its weight on the international fashion scene, with top New Zealand fashion designers such as Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper and Zambesi lauded worldwide for their unique take on high fashion.

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Explore. New Zealand uptapped.

Set your course for adventure, this is the real New Zealand. Auckland skyline at night, image: Tourism Auckland

The Insider's Guide to New Zealand

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Auckland

Feast your senses on Auckland’s dazzling array of activities, plentiful dining and shopping options, and stunning landscapes in New Zealand’s biggest city; the cosmopolitan and culturally diverse ‘City of Sails’. Perfectly positioned between two harbours and bordered by rainforest, Auckland’s modern and multicultural Pacific centre is unique in the world.

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Wellington

New Zealand’s much-loved political and cultural capital of Wellington lies on a sparkling harbour at the bottom of the North Island, not far from forest-clad hills and a delightful wine-growing region. Explore urban precincts where shopping, dining and culture abound, each with their own distinct character, then take to the harbour and the hills for outdoor experiences on the edge of the city.

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Christchurch & Canterbury

Treat yourself to a myriad of experiences in Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city is a cosmopolitan and cultured centre and perfect base for exploring a region packed with adventures. Regularly appearing on ‘top places in the world to visit’ lists, post-quake Christchurch offers a wealth of things to do – and a one-of-a-kind glimpse of a city rebuilding.

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The Coromandel

With 400 kilometres of coastline, The Coromandel is the perfect place for beach-hopping holidays. Rustic and laid-back, this is a place where you can fully relax.

 

Queenstown

One of New Zealand’s best-known visitor destinations, Queenstown is a beautiful lakeside resort and all-year-round outdoor adventure playground.

 

Don’t miss a thing

Make the most of even the shortest Kiwi adventure taking in the highlights with these essential New Zealand maps, itineraries and distance charts.

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Live. This is Real.

This is for those who seek a different way of life (even if it's just for two weeks). Franz Josef Glacier, image: Tourism West Coast

Things to see and do

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New Zealand Adventure Activities

Are you looking for an adrenaline rush? Then you’re in the right place! New Zealand, home of commercial bungy jumping, offers an endless procession of white-knuckle inducing activities including shweebing canyon swinging, sand tobogganing caving, glacier hiking, skydiving jet boating, white and black-water rafting, sledging, dam dropping, tubing world-class diving, horse trekking, kayaking, canoeing and surfing. A thrill-seeker’s paradise, the majority of New Zealand’s most adrenaline-pumping activities can be enjoyed by people at a range of skill and fitness levels.

Shopping in New Zealand

Browse New Zealand’s fashion boutiques, chain stores and department stores, and you’ll be amazed at the quality and range on offer. New Zealand fashion is world-class – no surprise when you consider Untouched World, Trelise Cooper, Karen Walker and Zambesi have been exporting to the world’s fashion capitals for years.

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Discover. A land like no other.

Hands inside the vehicle, we're going off the road less travelled. City Gallery Wellington, image: Positively Wellington Tourism, photo by Nicola Edmonds

Taste New Zealand

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New Zealand’s cuisine scene is guaranteed to satisfy the fussiest gourmands. New Zealand’s unique Pacific Rim fusion is internationally popular and trend-setting Kiwi chefs such as Peter Gordon have played an important role in its development. New Zealand’s restaurants and dining scene lead the charge with world-class offerings, while New Zealand wine’s reputation for producing some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir is legendary.

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Maori Culture

Unique in the world, thrilling Maori cultural experiences including marae visits and stays, cultural performances, hangi (food cooked underground), guided tours, replica villages, arts and crafts shopping and even Maori massage are a must when visiting New Zealand.

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New Zealand Wildlife

Home to some of the world’s rarest animals including the Kiwi, Kakapo, Tuatara and the Hector’s Dolphin (the world’s smallest), New Zealand’s commitment to conservation and isolation makes for some amazing wildlife encounters and experiences.

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Luxe New Zealand

If you’re after a unique escape in the lap of luxury you’ll cherish five-star New Zealand’s unforgettable accommodation options spanning lodges, retreats and world-class hotels, restaurants, out-of-this-world activities and exquisite spa treatments.

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