When you go to the other side of the world, you want to bring back a few things to show for your trouble. Visiting New Zealand with my 1-year-old daughter, and with nephews at home in America, I became obsessed with finding them something actually made in the country. A stuffed kiwi bird or lamb toy, a merino wool baby blanket, or a fun T-shirt would do nicely, and I wouldn’t mind some jewelry or something small for our apartment either. In all of the cities I visited in New Zealand, I was impressed to find stylish, playful and innovative boutiques and vendors creating beautiful and unique home design, fashion and other Kiwiana. There’s enough Kiwi cool shopping that you might end up wishing you had a bigger suitcase.
5 Websites To Help You Plan a Trip to New Zealand
After your passport, tourist visa and money, the only other necessity for travel is having access to the internet, somehow, at some point, anywhere. Google is man’s new best friend and is the difference between aimless wandering in a foreign city and a hotel to pass out in after a long flight.
Here, we narrow the plethora of information on the internet down to just five sites you should add to your favourites when travelling to New Zealand.
Visa Information
The first thing you need to figure out is if you need a visa for your visit to New Zealand. If you don’t look after this you’re not getting in! On this site they take you through whether or not you need a visa, what kind of visa you need for your type of visit, and just how to get one.
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/visit/
Visitor’s Information
Whatever your purpose is for visiting New Zealand, here is a list of the basics. Where do you stay? What events are on? What are the hotspots to visit? And how do you get to them? Here is a website set up by New Zealand tourism that welcomes you and takes the guesswork out of just what to do around the country.
Getting Around New Zealand
Ok, I know there are two websites below for this one, but for those of you coming from Europe with a modern, vast rail system, trains are not New Zealand’s strong point. Therefore I have provided you with two other ways of getting around New Zealand, the first option is for those with time to see the countryside, and the second for those who would like to get there more direct.
Kiwi Experience Bus – http://www.kiwiexperience.com/
Book a flight – http://www.webjet.co.nz/
New Zealand Culture
Though you may know that New Zealand is a colony of the Commonwealth who speak English and are democratic, it’s a good idea to brush up on the cultural depths of the country. In New Zealand today the indigenous culture of the Maori still thrives, and aside from being able to recognise it when you see it, learning a bit about the Maori culture will also help with any interaction, allowing you to interpret why they do what they do and in return enable you to show your respect to the people of this intriguing culture.
Travel Warnings
Every country issues travel warnings, wether it be regarding political climate, weather or disease outbreak. The information actually differs depending on your nationality and therefore you need to check your respective government’s website to see how any New Zealand travel warnings may relate to you specifically.
About AmandaKiwi Cool: Saving Money While Traveling In New Zealand
Last month, I spent three weeks traveling through New Zealand, focusing mainly on the cities and culture. After living in Istanbul for two years, it wasn’t the culture shock, the jet lag, or the seasonal switch that was hard to adjust to, it was the prices. While I knew New Zealand wasn’t cheap (though their dollar is slightly weaker than ours), I was unprepared for the sticker shock. Dinner and drinks can easily run $50 a head or more, city buses can cost more than a NYC subway ride, and $3.50 for a bottle of water seemed offensive. I did discover a few ways to save money and still enjoy the Kiwi cool.
Video: Stunning lightning storm filmed in Christchurch, New Zealand
A Christchurch resident captures an incredible, intense lightning storm over the city. Report by Sam Datta-Paulin.
Video: 30 Days and 30 Nights in Queenstown, New Zealand by Trey Ratcliff
This is possibly the most incredible video of New Zealand that I’ve ever seen. Beautiful!
Watch it in HD!
Article: Majority of immigrants are happy with New Zealand life
A recent survey of migrants in New Zealand has revealed that the majority are satisfied with their new lives. The study was conducted by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and found that the main reason for people wanting to move to New Zealand was to be with a partner, family or friends. The second most popular reason was the environment and the pace of life.
Mount Tongariro volcano erupts in New Zealand
The volcano erupts on New Zealand’s North Island for the first time in over 100 years.
New Redevelopment Scheme Unveiled for Central Christchurch
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND—A convention centre, sports stadium and performing arts complex are among the big projects planned for a new-look downtown Christchurch after the New Zealand city was reduced to rubble by an earthquake last year.
Essentially given a blank slate, government planners on Monday unveiled a blueprint for the city that replaces office towers with green spaces, urban apartments and innovation “hubs” they say will give the city the feel of a college campus. Under the plan, the city will be smaller, the buildings lower in height and constructed to higher earthquake standards.
James Cameron Buy Massive New Zealand Estate
According to the New York Times:
Mr. Cameron, the filmmaker-adventurer, spent an estimated $16 million to buy 2,500 acres of farmland around Lake Pounui (pronounced po-NEW-ee). Now he expects to absorb its magic while creating some of his own in a pair of sequels that will build on the story of Pandora and on an ecological mythos that helped make “Avatar,” released by 20th Century Fox in 2009, the biggest-selling film of all time.
Guest Post: Heading down under for your next bachelor getaway
As the final hoorah to single life, stag dos are one of the most important rituals for any man about to marry. Over the years popular stag do locations have varied from boozy weekends in Eastern Europe to the classic weekend away in the city of sin: Las Vegas. Today however, the new location for the ultimate bachelor party abroad is to grab your mates and head Down Under.
So whether you met your bride-to-be at work or online while trying to meet compatible singles at eHarmony.com.au, here’s some advice for the ultimate stag party Down Under.
Where to go?
Between Australia and New Zealand you have a lot of potential ground to cover and destinations to choose from. Naturally all have their pros and cons, but every destination should offer an experience to suit different tastes. Here’s a look at four potential destinations and the style of stag do they would be most suitable for.
Auckland
As well as being the largest, most multicultural city in New Zealand, Auckland is also a surprise party destination. While the suburbs sprawl for miles in each direction, the chic inner city clientele have inspired a burst in café, bar and club culture.
There’s a beautiful waterfront with smart bars, a selection of all-hour clubs and a healthy dose of live shows. Daytime activities include countless water sports, bungee jumping and whale watching trips. Thrill seekers can also take a jump off the Sky Tower, the tallest structure in the Southern hemisphere, which drops 328m. Attached to a cable, punters reach speeds of around 85km.
Sydney
Sydney is a huge city with unlimited potential for stag do activities. With its serene coastlines, fishing charters and surfing lessons are a fun daytime option. Nearby wineries and breweries also make for a great beer or wine tour. There is a range of racetracks to enjoy a day betting on the ponies, while world-class golf courses are perfect for a round with the clubs.
When the sun goes down, you’re spoilt for choice with some of the best club and bars in the world. Sydney’s decadent Kings Cross nightclub strip has a huge concentration of venues to pick from. George Street and Darling Harbour also feature a range of stylish bars and restaurants.
Wellington
Wellington’s stunning harbour views are the perfect backdrop for a Stag Do, as natural beauty meets urban excitement. There’s no shortage of daytime activities that will keep a group of lads occupied and entertained, with fishing, clay bird shooting, 4-wheel driving and go karting all available from the city. While for the nighttime activities, Wellington is rich in clubs, bars and restaurants to choose from.
Adelaide
Whether you’re the groom-to-be, single or currently dating Adelaide promises a fun time for all members of the bachelor getaway. Not only is it a beautiful and relaxed city, it’s considerably cheaper than its Sydney counterpart.
Stunning beaches and scenic meandering streets by day give way to an exciting and hedonistic city at night. The region boasts world-class wineries on its doorstep, a thriving live music and comedy scene and a bustling nightclub and gambling strip. Adelaide is a worthy contender for a stag do location and punches well above its weight.