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10 of the best things to do in New Zealand

Oct 4, 2023 • 8 min read

These are New Zealand's unmissable activities © Nicram Sabod / Shutterstock

Spectacular and diverse, New Zealand (also known as Aotearoa) is one of the world's most memorable destinations.

From its inspirational Indigenous Māori cultural experiences to its epic and otherworldly national parks , it can be hard to narrow down what to do. You can spend your days soaking in the urban energy of Auckland and Wellington, challenging yourself on outdoor adventures around Queenstown, cycling through Central Otago’s historic towns and big-sky landscapes or trying to spot the country’s iconic kiwi bird on Stewart Island/Rakiura.

Craft your own southern hemisphere adventure from this list of the best things to do in New Zealand.

1. Experience vibrant Māori culture

There are countless ways to engage with New Zealand’s Indigenous Māori culture while exploring the country. You can expect to hear greetings in te reo Māori (the Māori language) frequently, but for a deeper dive, the Auckland Museum and Waikato Museum both have displays of centuries-old Māori taonga (treasures). Around Rotorua , families from the local Te Arawa iwi (tribe) entertain and energize visitors with cultural performances and experiences, including the opportunity to take part in a haka (a ceremonial war dance made famous by the country’s All Blacks rugby team) or experience a hāngī (a Māori feast cooked in the ground). 

Detour: From Rotorua, travel 61km (38 miles) southeast to the isolated logging town of Murupara. Stays at the family-owned Kohutapu Lodge include excursions to catch tuna (endemic longfin eels), visits to historic Māori rock art sites and hiking through the Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park, a spiritually significant site said to be one of the world’s last prehistoric forests.

2. Be immersed in Auckland’s diversity

Framed by two harbors and built on the sprawling remnants of more than 50 long-inactive volcanoes, Auckland is New Zealand's most diverse and cosmopolitan city. Visit the weekly Otara and Avondale markets to taste Pacific and Asian cuisine from communities drawn to Tāmaki Makaurau (the Māori name for Auckland). Or time your visit to experience popular cultural events including Pasifika , Diwali and the Lantern Festival. Good beaches, nearby wine regions, and a dynamic dining scene are other reasons why Auckland is consistently rated one of the world's most liveable cities.

Planning tip: Join Auckland’s most passionate fans while taking in a match featuring the New Zealand Warriors (a rugby league team) or the Auckland Blues (a rugby union team).

3. Hike one of New Zealand’s Great Walks

Hiking (known as “tramping”) is one of New Zealand’s most popular pastimes, with well-established wilderness tracks, shelters (called “huts”) and campsites throughout the country. Highlights include the meandering forest trails of the Rakiura Track on compact Stewart Island/Rakiura and the beach-fringed Abel Tasman Coast Track in the Nelson/Tasman region. Anchoring the rugged geothermal heart of the North Island, Tongariro National Park's most popular trail is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing , a single-day wilderness experience skirting two volcanoes and taking in views of craters, iridescent lakes and the sprawling Central Plateau.

Planning tip: All of New Zealand's  10 (soon to be 11) Great Walks are very popular, and New Zealand's Department of Conservation (DOC) caps visitor numbers at a safe and sustainable level. To secure your spot, you’ll need to book in advance when the Great Walks booking system opens , usually from around May. The Great Walks season runs from late October to April, and the most popular experiences like the Milford and Routeburn Tracks often sell out in minutes. If you miss out; don’t worry. There are hundreds of other trails throughout the country to explore. 

4. Negotiate a two-wheeled adventure in Central Otago

New Zealand's first – and arguably best – multi-day cycling experience is the Otago Central Rail Trail . An undulating ride through sunbaked southern landscapes and the heritage streetscapes of former gold-mining towns, it takes four to six days to complete. Along the way, you can feast on locally grown summer stonefruit, visit contemporary vineyards known for world-class pinot noir, and toast the end of each day with a well-earned beer at historic pubs. E-bikes are a convenient option to maximize your enjoyment of this classic South Island experience, with operators throughout the region offering rentals and guided tours.

Detour: Linking the towns of Cromwell and Clyde, the 55km (34-mile)  Lake Dunstan Cycle Trail traverses the spectacular Cromwell Gorge via an 85m-long (279ft) suspension bridge and a spectacular cantilevered wooden biking track.

5. Seek out kiwis on Stewart Island/Rakiura

At the southern tip of the South Island, Stewart Island/Rakiura is New Zealand's third-largest island, home to a rugged community of around 400 hardy souls, where 85% of the land is protected by Rakiura National Park . Birdlife around Stewart Island/Raikura and the adjacent islet of Ulva Island includes rare hoiho (yellow-eyed penguins), raucous kākā (a type of parrot) and mellifluous bellbirds. However, the undoubted avian highlight is viewing tokoeka (Southern brown kiwi) in the wild. Join a twilight expedition with local operators including Beaks & Feathers and Ruggedy Range Wilderness Experiences to see Aotearoa's beloved national bird snuffling about on beaches and in the forest. Visit from March to September to also potentially glimpse the aurora australis (southern lights), the inspiration for Stewart Island's Māori name: Rakiura, which means “glowing skies.”

Planning tip: Ferries take one hour to cross the Foveaux Strait from Bluff on the mainland to Stewart Island/Rakiura. The crossing can sometimes be rough, so an alternative is a 20-minute flight from Invercargill.

6. Commune with marine mammals around Kaikōura 

Attracted by the nutrient-rich waters of the Kaikōura Canyon – a submarine valley just 800m (2624ft) off the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island – the coastal town of Kaikōura is visited by various whale species throughout the year. Join a boat trip with Whale Watch Kaikōura , owned and operated by the local Ngāti Kuri iwi (Māori tribe), to see visiting humpback, orca, southern right and pilot whales. Resident marine mammals include sperm whales, dolphins and kekeno (New Zealand fur seals). The pelagic birdwatching here is also some of the best on the planet.

Planning tip: Kaikōura translates from te reo Māori as "eat crayfish". The spiny crustacean is a popular item on pub menus and roadside food caravans around the region. Try one at Nin’s Bin or Kaikōura Seafood BBQ .

7. Have a capital time in Wellington

Compact and walkable, New Zealand’s harbor capital of Wellington is the ideal urban destination to balance and complement adventures in Aotearoa’s great outdoors. Explore the city’s pioneering craft beer heritage at local breweries including Garage Project, Heyday and Parrotdog, before learning about the movie-making magic of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings franchises at Wētā Workshop . The nation’s capital also boasts a vibrant arts and live music scene, with free events hosted throughout the year.

Planning tip: Visit (and book accommodation well ahead) for the Beervana craft beer festival in August. Also popular is Wellington on a Plate (WOAP), an annual celebration of the city’s dynamic culinary scene.

8. Explore architectural history in Hawke’s Bay

Rocked by an earthquake in 1931, the Hawke’s Bay cities of Napier and Hastings were rebuilt in the popular architectural styles of the day, and now the region boasts some of the world’s best-preserved art deco and Spanish Mission architectural precincts. From Napier’s Norfolk pine-trimmed Marine Parade, join a walking tour of the city’s cavalcade of art deco buildings, some also decorated with the cross-cultural influence of traditional Māori design motifs.

Detour: New Zealand winemaking began in Hawke’s Bay in the 1850s, and the region’s well-established vineyards and excellent winery restaurants are best explored on two wheels. See On Yer Bike online for details of bike hire and recommended wine trails.

9. Get active around Queenstown

Nowhere else in New Zealand reinforces the country’s reputation for adrenaline-fuelled adventure activities like Queenstown . Amid beautiful lake and sub-alpine scenery, definitely sign up for a bungy jump . (It’s almost mandatory – the breathtaking leap of faith was invented in New Zealand, after all.) You can also consider other thrill rides like  Oxbow Adventures ’ exciting combo of jet sprint boats (which can reach up to 100km/h, or 62mph, in just 2.5 seconds) and extreme 4WD offroading. After all the action, adjourn to Altitude Brewing ’s ​lakeside location for great beers and tasty visits from local food trucks.

Detour: Reached via a scenic road over the Crown Range, Wānaka is Queenstown’s less manic Southern Lakes sibling. Catch a boat on Lake Wānaka to explore the island bird sanctuary of Mou Waho .

10. Kayak in pristine Fiordland

Cruising through Milford Sound /Piopiotahi on a day trip is popular, but a better strategy for experiencing the scale, spectacle and stillness of Fiordland ’s most famous sheltered anchorage is to explore it by kayak. Hook up with Roscoe’s Milford Kayaks for the ultimate on-the-water views of the fiord’s cascading quicksilver waterfalls and massive forest-covered cliffs. Sunriser classic tours loop for 10km (6 miles) around Milford Sound and depart well before the inevitable arrival of daytrippers visiting from Te Anau or Queenstown.

Detour: Fiordland’s Doubtful Sound/Patea (meaning "place of silence" in te reo Māori ) is even quieter and less visited than Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Join a guided kayak tour with Te Anau-based Doubtful Sound Kayak or stay overnight on the MV Fiordland Jewel with Fiordland Discovery .

This article was first published Apr 22, 2021 and updated Oct 4, 2023.

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The Best Travel Guide to New Zealand 🌏 [2024]

Nz pocket guide is 10 years old. thank you for trusting us with your trip for over a decade, the complete travellers’ guide to new zealand.

Welcome to Aotearoa – or you more likely know it as New Zealand! You probably also already know that New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most stunning mountains, glaciers, fiords and more scenery, scenery, scenery. But how do you go about planning a trip to New Zealand? While we don’t want to toot our own horn, here at NZ Pocket Guide , we believe we are the best travel guide to New Zealand and you’ll probably agree once you’ve read this complete travellers’ guide to New Zealand, which will springboard you to NZPocketGuide.com’s thousands of tips and advice.

An Intro About New Zealand

Location : New Zealand is a country in the Oceania continent. It’s located in the South Pacific Ocean, about 1,500km (930 miles) east of Australia and around 1,000km (620 miles) south of the South Pacific Islands . See  Where is New Zealand? for more information.

Size : 268,021km 2 (103483 mi 2 ) in total. It is approximately 1,600km (990mi) long and around 400km (250mi) at its widest point.

Climate : New Zealand has a diverse climate determined by the ocean, mountains and prevailing winds. The mean average temperatures are 10°C (50°F) on the South Island to 16°C (61°F) on the North Island. See The Guide to The New Zealand Climate or check out the “ When to Visit ” section below.

Population :  5 million. Learn more about New Zealand’s population here .

Languages : English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language. Learn more about the New Zealand language in our guide .

Time zone : UTC/GMT+12.

How to Get to New Zealand

First things first, you’ll need to see if you are actually able to travel to New Zealand due to restrictions put in place at the borders after the COVID-19 outbreak. Visit covid19.govt.nz for the latest travel information.

Next, what is the best way to get to New Zealand? New Zealand can be accessed by flight or cruise ship. Considering you are probably here to plan a trip for more than just a day in New Zealand, let’s skip right to the most popular way to get to New Zealand; flights.

Direct flights to New Zealand can be found from the US , Canada , South America , Asia , Australia and the South Pacific Islands . Coming further afield from destinations such as in Europe and you’ll need to catch at least one connecting flight.

If you don’t have time to read through our Beginner’s Guide to Getting to New Zealand , here’s a quick rundown.

Flight Times to New Zealand

Argentina – 12h30min, Brazil – 15h30min, Canada – 16h30min, China – 13h30min, Denmark – 22h, Finland – 20h, France – 23h30min, Germany – 22h30min, Hong Kong – 11h, Israel – 32h, Italy – 22h30min, Japan – 11h, Korea – 12h, Malaysia – 11h, Netherlands – 22h30min, Philippines – 10h30min, Singapore – 10h30min, Sweden – 21h, Taiwan – 11h, United Kingdom – 22h30min, USA – 12h, Vietnam – 12h30min

Tips for Cheaper Airfares

Airfares for New Zealand depend on different factors: what time of year you choose to fly, how long in advance you book, where you’re flying from, what type of ticket you get, and the route you take.

The cheapest time to fly to New Zealand is during New Zealand’s spring, winter and autumn months (between July and November). Summer and particularly around Christmas is the most expensive time to fly to New Zealand.

It is also usually cheaper to fly at “inconvenient times” of the day such as late at night or during the early hours of the morning, as well as mid-week rather than on weekends. Having a flexible travel plan allows you to choose the cheapest flights. Check out How to Book a Cheap Flight to New Zealand and 5 Money-Saving Tips for Flying to New Zealand with Kids for more advice.

A Note on Customs Declarations

New Zealand has strict biosecurity measures at the border to stop unwanted pests and diseases from entering the country. Therefore, anyone arriving in New Zealand has to declare any “risk items” they have packed in their luggage – even common items like food and sports gear. Failing to declare a risk item may incur an instant NZ$400 fine! Be sure to read up on Arriving in New Zealand: Airport Customs, Biosecurity & the Arrival Process  so you are prepared.

When to Visit New Zealand

New Zealand is in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning that seasons are at the opposite times of year compared to the Northern Hemisphere. The weather in New Zealand is temperate but changeable due to prevailing winds, the ocean and its mountains. In fact, the weather is so notoriously changeable that New Zealanders have a saying to describe their weather: “four seasons in a day”. In other words, you can experience sunshine, heat, rain, temperature drop and snow even in summer (well, snow is unlikely in summer – but you get the picture).

For all of the reasons above, we do not recommend planning your trip too much around the weather. Nevertheless, below is what you can typically expect in each season.

Summer (December to February)

Summer is the warmest time of year reaching highs of 25°C (77°F) . Expect finer days than during the rest of the year.

Autumn (March to May)

Autumn has milder temperatures between 6°C (43°F) and 20°C (68°F) . Weather patterns start to become more interchangeable with a few more rainy days than summer.

Winter (June to August)

Temperatures can be anywhere between -3°C (27°F) and 15°C (59°F) depending on which parts of the country you are in. Snow falls in alpine regions and rainfall is more frequent.

Spring (September to November)

Temperatures rise again during this shoulder season, where lows are 2°C (36°F) and highs are 17°C (63°F) . Expect a balance of fine and rainy days.

For more information on the climate, check out What is the Weather Like in New Zealand?

The Best Time to Visit New Zealand

Summer ( December to February ) is the most popular time to travel New Zealand for both international travellers and locals. While you can do most activities in summer under milder weather, things are more expensive, such as flights, tours and vehicle rentals. Attractions are busy while accommodations and transport book up quickly for the summer months.

The low season, i.e. winter ( June to August ) is the cheapest but coldest time to travel. Attractions are far less busy, but some tours like canyoning and white water rafting may be closed during winter. The exception to the low season rule is the ski resort towns, such as Queenstown , Wanaka and Ohakune .

Visiting in any of the shoulder seasons , i.e. from March to May and from September to November , brings warmer weather than winter along with more affordable travel deals than summer. These months tend to be the best time to visit New Zealand .

What to Pack for New Zealand

Don’t overpack! Just a large backpack or suitcase with a day pack per person (or per adult for families) is all you need for New Zealand. Bring versatile outfits that are good for exploring the outdoors and bring no more than a week’s worth of clothes, as laundry facilities are everywhere. New Zealand is a developed country so has plenty of shops and services should you need to buy anything while you’re travelling.

A Quick Packing List

The below packing list is an overview of our full New Zealand Packing List . Note that it’s just for one person.

• 1 Leggings/sweatpants/hiking pants
• 1 Shorts (summer)
• 1 Sweater/hoody/mid-layer
• 1 Hiking shoes
• 1 Flip-flops
• 1 Swimwear (suitable for watersports)
• 1 Thermal underlayer (top and/or bottoms)
• 1 Waterproof and windproof jacket
• 6 Socks (a mix of woollen and cotton)
• 1 Warm jacket (winter/spring/autumn)
• 6 Tops/T-shirts
• 6 Underwear
• Toiletries including a mini first aid kit , sunscreen and insect repellent
• New Zealand travel adapter
• Camera/phone
• Electronic device chargers  (extra batteries are a good idea)
• Reusable water bottle (tap water is safe)
• If you plan on camping , pack a lightweight tent and sleeping mat, and/or for staying in huts, a 4-season sleeping bag and a torch/flashlight – see our  Camping Essentials Checklist for New Zealand .

You might also be interested in our seasonal packing lists: winter , summer , autumn and spring .

New Zealand Visas, NZeTA and IVL

A tourist/visitor visa for New Zealand activates automatically upon entry to New Zealand for most countries, usually allowing visitors to stay for up to three months. Visitors also need to pay for an NZeTA and IVL before arrival in New Zealand . Other popular visa options to stay in New Zealand longer are the  Working Holiday Visa  and  Student Visas .

Travel Insurance

Although the ACC in New Zealand partly covers accidental injury medical bills, many travellers opt for travel insurance for extra peace of mind. Our recommended insurance is Orbit Protect , which is based in New Zealand.

ID and Driving License

Your passport is obviously coming to New Zealand with you, which is ideal because it’s one of the only accepted forms of ID for proof of age , for example, to buy alcohol. For driving, bring your driving license – if your driving license is not written in English then it will need to be accompanied by an International Driving Permit .

New Zealand Currency

The  currency of New Zealand is New Zealand Dollars (NZD) . There are ATMs in towns and cities where you’ll be able to withdraw cash. Credit cards are also widely accepted, however, there is a percentage payable with each non-New Zealand credit card transaction. Oh yeah, and New Zealanders call paying with a card paying with “ EFTPOS “. Get advice on how to pay for things in a way to save money using our guide, The Best Way to Pay in New Zealand .

If you are staying in New Zealand for a few months, perhaps for a working holiday , you will save a lot more money by opening a New Zealand bank account .

How Many Weeks Do You Need to Travel New Zealand?

New Zealand is a destination worth saving until you have as much time to explore the country as possible. Not only is this due to the fact that it takes much time and money (not to mention CO2 emissions) to get there, but moving between destinations within New Zealand is also very time-consuming. Roads are long and winding with so many photo-stops and activities along the way that a two-hour drive can easily turn into a full-day mission!

One or Two Weeks in New Zealand

Within this time, you should explore just one of the main islands. Take a look at the 7-day itineraries: North Island in One Week: New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary and  South Island in One Week: New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary . And the 14-day itineraries:  North Island in Two Weeks: New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary and  South Island in Two Weeks: New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary .

If you’re willing to miss out on some highlights, it’s just possible to explore both islands in 14 days, as outlined in our New Zealand in Two Weeks: Road Trip Itinerary .

Three or Four Weeks in New Zealand

Want to explore both the North Island and South Island at a comfortable pace? Visit for three or, better yet, four weeks. Get an idea of what you will have time to see in our  New Zealand in Three Weeks: Road Trip Itinerary and  New Zealand in a Month: Road Trip Itinerary .

Three Months to One Year

Now you can see a great deal of the country! Most visitor visas allow people to travel for up to three months. A popular way to stay longer among backpackers is the working holiday visa , which typically allows stays of up to a year. Check out our 30 Tips for Backpacking in New Zealand for advice on an extended trip to New Zealand.

Where to Go in New Zealand

For many travellers, you’ll need to make the heartbreaking decision between the North Island and the South Island . If we had to sum up their differences, the North Island is best for culture and volcanoes while the South Island is best for wilderness, wildlife and, well, more scenery. Take a look at our North Islands Vs. South Island comparison for details.

Once you’ve picked an island, or you’re lucky enough to travel both, you need to start adding dots onto the map. New Zealand has a vast number of destinations all with their own landscapes, experiences and charm. You’ll find each of the below destinations linked to our complete travel guides so you can plan further.

North Island

• Bay of Islands Travel Guide – islands and beaches
• Auckland Travel Guide – volcanoes and city life
• Rotorua Travel Guide – geothermal and culture
• Taupo Travel Guide – volcanic landscapes
• Napier Travel Guide – wine and architecture
• Wellington Travel Guide – capital city vibes

South Island

• Picton Travel Guide – coast and wine
• Kaikoura Travel Guide – marine wildlife
• Franz Josef Glacier Travel Guide – glaciers
• Queenstown Travel Guide – adrenaline
• Aoraki Mt Cook Travel Guide – mountains
• Stewart Island Travel Guide – subantarctic adventure

And that’s just the hotspots! We encourage you to explore other destinations in our New Zealand Destinations guides . Plus, for more ideas, see the 10 Awesome New Zealand Travel Ideas .

How to Get Around New Zealand

Perhaps the most important decision you’ll make when planning your trip to New Zealand is the transport you’ll use. After all, a holiday in New Zealand is mostly about the journey. While everyone has a strong opinion on the “best” way to get around, we feel that it’s a very personal choice. It depends on your taste, budget and what experience you want to get out of travelling.

Campervan Rental

Travel, sleep, repeat by renting a campervan or motorhome. This is an extremely popular way to explore New Zealand. However, with camping restrictions and necessary maintenance, there are extra costs and hassles to take into consideration. See our Travel by Campervan in New Zealand Guide for more advice. Plus, choose from recommended rental companies in The Best Campervan Rental Companies in New Zealand .

While not as “sexy” as a campervan, renting a car is a smart way to travel if you want something easier to drive and cheaper with a bit more freedom. See The Best Car Rental Companies in New Zealand for recommended companies. Plus, our  Travel By Car in New Zealand Guide offers plenty of tips.

Buy Your Own Vehicle

Secondhand cars and campervans are easy to buy and sell in New Zealand, working out to be very cost-effective if you plan to stay in New Zealand for more than a month. Check out Should You Rent or Buy a Vehicle to Travel New Zealand  to see if it’s right for you.

National Coaches

The cheapest way of getting from A to B, InterCity forms the most extensive public transport network in the country. Find out more about planning a trip by bus in our guide to the InterCity bus passes and  How to Travel by Bus in New Zealand .

Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

These are flexible bus tours on a set route with the option to get off and on the bus at any point for as long as you wish. Activities and accommodation are optional and pay-as-you-go. Learn more in our New Zealand Hop-on Hop-off Bus Guide .

Escorted Bus Tours

Take a more structured guided tour around New Zealand with some food, some activities and all accommodation included. It’s a stress-free way to travel the country with other people. Get started with your research using The Best National Bus Tours in New Zealand .

Domestic Flights

While not as popular as other countries,  domestic flights in New Zealand are only a good idea for travelling long distances or between the North and South Islands.

While there are ferries to get from the main islands to some of the off-shore islands, the most common ferry that travellers find themselves is the ferry between the North Island and South Island; the Cook Strait ferry. Find out more in our guide to The Cook Strait Ferry .

Still don’t know where to start with travelling around? Take a look at the  10 Best Ways to Travel Around New Zealand .

Things to Do in New Zealand

Spoiled, you are! Spoiled! New Zealand has so much to do that we could hardly fit it all in our 101 Things to Do in New Zealand: The Ultimate List .

With the landscapes being the reason many travellers flock to New Zealand, active outdoor adventures are extremely popular. These include:

• Mountain biking
• Jet boating
• Bungy jumping
• White water rafting
• Whale and dolphin watching/swimming

And more! It’s not all go-go-go though, as New Zealand also offers culture, food and scenic experiences. Such activities include:

• Maori cultural tours and shows
• Wine tastings
• Brewery tours
• Scenic flights
• The Lord of the Rings filming locations
• Scenic cruises

And more, again. While many of the above activities are pretty costly, rest assured there are tons of free activities and attractions in New Zealand. In fact, all it often takes is a short walk to reach New Zealand’s most iconic natural attractions. Check out our 50 Best Free Things to Do in New Zealand to save money.

And don’t forget to browse our New Zealand Activities category listing everything Aotearoa (the Maori name for New Zealand) has to offer.

Accommodation in New Zealand

New Zealand offers many forms of accommodation. Because New Zealand has a few big-ticket items, such as activities – not to mention the flight to get there – you can save a lot of money by choosing one of the affordable accommodation options. Nevertheless, if you want to treat yourself, then you’re spoiled for choice with lavish hotels and lodges available.

Holiday Parks

One of the most comprehensive styles of accommodation in New Zealand, holiday parks consist of self-contained units, private cabins, backpacker dorm cabins, tent sites or powered sites for campervans. Get tips in our Accommodation Guide to Holiday Parks in New Zealand and check out listings in our New Zealand Holiday Parks category .

In this budget accommodation, stay in shared dorms or private rooms where you’ll share facilities, such as a kitchen, laundry and bathrooms. See our Beginner’s Guide to Backpacker Hostels . Plus, Check out listings for every town in New Zealand in our New Zealand Hostel category .

Hotels are found in New Zealand’s larger cities and top tourist destinations, following the usual international standard with star ratings. Some small towns have historic hotels, which are typically budget-friendly but have less modern facilities. See hotel listings in our New Zealand Hotels category .

More common than hotels, motels offer a more compact home-away-from-home usually with a kitchen, a bathroom and at least one separate bedroom, all within one unit. Compare motels across the country using our New Zealand Motels category .

Boutique Lodges

New Zealand has a number of boutique and luxury lodges scattered across the country in both towns and pristine wilderness. Discover our recommendations in our New Zealand boutique lodges category .

Campsites are where you can pitch a tent or park a campervan overnight. Find out more in our guide to Camping in New Zealand and check out listings in our New Zealand Camping category .

Holiday Homes

Enjoy entire holiday homes, locally known as “baches”, all to yourself with plenty listed on booking websites like Booking.com , Expedia and Airbnb . See our guide on Everything You Need to Know About Airbnb in New Zealand , as well as listings in our New Zealand Holiday Homes  category .

Stay with a local in a spare room listed on booking websites like Booking.com , Expedia  and Airbnb . See listings in our New Zealand Homestays category .

Do you seriously need more information than that?! Head over to our New Zealand Accommodation category and browse until your heart is content.

Food and Eating Out in New Zealand

Everyone’s gotta eat! Travellers have a choice of dining out or self-catering in New Zealand.

Cafes and Restaurants

New Zealand is a melting pot so most menus have a diverse range of international dishes, from Westernised food, such as fish and chips, burgers and pizzas to Asian cuisines like curries and sushi. Gluten-free and vegetarian meals are readily available. For other dietary requirements, it’s best to discuss with restaurant staff first.

Note that tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated for good service. For many restaurants and cafes, expect to order and pay at the counter.

For advice on where to eat, see our New Zealand Foodie Guides for each town and city across New Zealand, as well as  Where to Try Traditional New Zealand Food .

Self-Catering

Because eating out is much more expensive than in other parts of the world, self-catering while on holiday in New Zealand is extremely popular. Most accommodations have some sort of cooking facilities.

Groceries can be picked up from supermarkets in towns and cities. Smaller towns and villages usually only have a convenience store, locally called a “dairy” but tend to have higher prices. Farmers’ markets are a fun option on weekend mornings to buy local produce. Note that New Zealand shops don’t give plastic shopping bags so bring your own bags or purchase bags in-store.

For more advice, head over to our guide on  Food Shopping in New Zealand .

Typical Costs and Budget for a Trip to New Zealand

We all travel very differently. Therefore, making a precise budget for everyone is an impossible task. Nevertheless, you can work out your own needs, thus budget, by simply looking at the typical prices listed below or in our articles, How Expensive is New Zealand? and How Much Does it Cost to Travel New Zealand?

NZ Transport Budget

• Car hire / day: NZ$30-$150
• 2-person campervan hire / day: NZ$60-$260
• Petrol / litre (0.3 gallons): NZ$1.90-$2.50  (Check out weekly fuel price data on the  MBIE website )
• Hop-on hop-off bus national pass/ year: NZ$1,000-NZ$2,000
• National coach bus / 4-hour trip: NZ$30-$80
• Used car (15+ years old): NZ$2,000-$5,000
• Used 2-person campervan (15+ years old): NZ$3,500-$15,000
• Domestic flights / one way: NZ$50-$240
• Train / one way: NZ$100-$260

NZ Accommodation Budget

• Hostel dorm bed / night: NZ$27-$35
• Double room in a hostel , motel or holiday park / night: NZ$80-$120
• Campervan powered site / two people per night: NZ$22-$40
• Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite / person per night: NZ$15 (see DOC campsite passes here )
• Motel self-contained unit / two people per night: NZ$140
• Hotel double room / night: NZ$160
• Freedom camping  with a self-contained vehicle : Free

NZ Activities Budget per Person

• Skydive from 15,000ft: NZ$339-$439
• Bungy Jump : NZ$150-$290
• White Water Rafting : NZ$100-$140
• Jetboat : NZ$80-$130
• Dolphin swimming : NZ$110-$160
• Whale watching : NZ$120-$150
• Glacier Hiking : NZ$390-$470
• Cruise in Milford Sound : NZ$60-$100
• Rotorua geothermal park : NZ$30-$70
• Horse Trekking : NZ$50-$150
• Canyoning : NZ$150-$300
• Hobbiton : NZ$80-$100
• Glowworm caving : NZ$125-$280
• Great Walk hut /night: NZ$32-$110

NZ Food Budget

• Main meal : NZ$30
• Pint of beer : NZ$8
• Small coffee : NZ$4.50
• Fastfood pizza : NZ$5
• Big Mac : NZ$5.20
• 1 litre (35fl oz) of milk : NZ$2.40
• A dozen eggs : NZ$5.40
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of rice : NZ$2
• 500g (1.1lbs) pasta : NZ$1.20
• A loaf of sliced bread : NZ$1.20
• 1kg (2.2lbs) cheese : NZ$11
• 100g (3.5oz) dry freeze coffee : NZ$7
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of apples : NZ$5
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of bananas : NZ$3
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of tomatoes : NZ$10
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of onions : NZ$2
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of chicken : NZ$13
• 1kg (2.2lbs) of beef mince : NZ$13.

Example Budget for New Zealand for One Week, Two Weeks, Three Weeks and One Month

We can’t stress enough how everyone’s budget will be different for travelling in New Zealand. Nevertheless, because we know that many of you like the average cost for a trip to New Zealand, here is an example of a New Zealand travel budget.

Car rental (inc fuel): NZ$90 per day + Private room: NZ$90 per day + Food (self-catering and restaurants): NZ$50 + Activities (paid and free): NZ$100 =  NZ$330 per day

How much does it cost to go to New Zealand for one week?  NZ$2,310

How much does it cost to go to New Zealand for two weeks?  NZ$4,620

How much does it cost to go to New Zealand for three weeks?  NZ$6,930

How much does it cost to go to New Zealand for one month?  NZ$9,900

Plan a New Zealand Trip According to Your Travel Style

Finally, this wouldn’t be the best travel guide to New Zealand without taking into account that everyone likes to holiday differently. Here at NZ Pocket Guide , we have travel guides for all styles of travel, including budget travellers, luxury travellers, honeymooners, families and foodies. If one of these fits your style, then jump ahead to the appropriate travel guide:

• The Travel Guide to New Zealand on a Budget
• The Travel Guide to New Zealand for Families
• The Honeymoon & Romantic Getaway Guide to New Zealand
• The Luxury Travel Guide to New Zealand

The Foodie Guide to New Zealand

That’s all from the best travel guide to New Zealand. Well done for making it all the way to the end! If you found this FREE New Zealand travel guide useful, how about supporting what we do on Patreon ? We’ll leave you with some final travel wisdom, our  31 Tips for Travelling in New Zealand .

The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:

• Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
• Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
• New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
• New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD online platform - Updated [2024])
• Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2024])
• Safe Travel (NZ travel advisories - Updated [2024])
• Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
• Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2024])
• DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2024])
• Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
• AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2024])

Our editorial standards : At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.

About The Author

This article has been reviewed and approved by Robin, who is the co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. With more than 15 years of experience in the New Zealand tourism industry, Robin has co-founded three influential tourism businesses and five additional travel guides for South Pacific nations. He is an expert in New Zealand travel and has tested over 600 activities and 300+ accommodations across the country.

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New Zealand seeks a greener kind of tourism as it reopens borders after Covid

Spots like Milford Sound that once ‘heaved’ with visitors recovered their tranquillity during lockdown – and ministers hope to keep it that way

A t the mouth of Milford Sound, the car parks sit empty. Of the 40 spaces reserved for convoys of buses, just two are occupied. The cliffs, rising sheer from dark, still water, are capped by mist, waterfalls unravelling like twine, nothing to interrupt the view. The cruise ships that once appeared over the horizon haven’t visited in years. When the ferry sets off, an entire floor of vinyl seats sits unoccupied.

These are the last days of New Zealand’s forced isolation from the world’s tourists , and even Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, considered the crown jewel of New Zealand’s natural landscapes, is sparsely attended. Its beauty has long made it one of the country’s biggest tourism draws. Despite being extraordinarily remote – no mobile phone service or wifi, no clusters of shops and restaurants, one road in and out – Milford Sound welcomed almost 900,000 visitors in 2019, to a settlement with a permanent population of fewer than 200. The year the pandemic hit, it was expected to surpass 1 million.

In a few days, the drawbridge will creak down, and tourists from around the world will be welcomed back . The government has been at pains to attract visitors, with prime minister Jacinda Ardern embarking on her first international trip in two years to say the country was “open for business”.

But it is also in the midst of a reckoning over what its tourism future should look like – and a growing sense that things shouldn’t go back to the way they were.

The central conundrum plagues many scenic tourism spots: people are drawn to isolation, tranquillity, untouched beauty – then their presence can jeopardise the very qualities that drew them there in the first place. In Tripadvisor reviews from Milford’s pre-pandemic days, two themes feature over and over: the beauty of the place, and the peak-season crowds.

“The place was heaving ,” one tourist wrote. “Literally hundreds of people in all directions.”

“Hordes of people,” said another. “Don’t come here to experience this beautiful place in isolation.”

“It is incomparably gorgeous and awe-inspiring. It is also a tourist machine. Huge numbers of people arrive here daily via buses, planes, cars and helicopters,” a visitor concluded. “Everything that is wonderful and horrible about tourism.”

Over the past decade, New Zealand has become acutely aware of the “wonderful and horrible” of tourism. Before Covid, tourism was the country’s biggest export, accounting for 20% of the export market and approaching 10% of GDP. Returning visitors will be a crucial shot in the arm for cafes, restaurants and tourism operators that have spent two years struggling to survive. But tourism also caused tensions – locals complained of overcrowding, littering, lack of investment in infrastructure to host people, and the fear that fragile natural environments are being permanently damaged.

The era of Instagram and influencers can throw those dynamics into overdrive. Locations moved at warp speed from “undiscovered gem” to endlessly replicated backdrop, engulfed – and often threatened – by eager visitors.

“We want people to come to these incredible places. We want people to experience them. But we also want to make sure that we’re protecting them,” said Kiritapu [Kiri] Allan, minister for conservation and associate minister for culture and heritage. “And that we can hand it over to the next generations in a state that hasn’t been completely destroyed by a human footprint.”

Now the government wants to reshape the way the country does tourism altogether. Last July, Stuart Nash, the tourism minister, vowed that the days of unlimited tour buses would never return to Piopiotahi. Beyond that, the site would be a “test case” for the rest of the country, he said, as it tries to remake its tourism sector into a more sustainable, controlled operation, that funds infrastructure in the communities that host it. In Milford, the proposals are significant: controlling entry, capping numbers, charging a standard infrastructure fee for a visit.

Allan said the tensions are stark in Milford, but it’s a national conundrum. “I’m seeing similar strains across the rest of the country.”

In Te Anau, Milford’s nearest town, absence of visitors during the pandemic has driven many businesses to the edge of collapse. About 85% of Piopiotahi’s visitors are from overseas, said Paul Norris, chief conservation officer of RealNZ, which runs ferry tours in the sound. Losing them was an immense economic shock. “It’s been survival mode,” he said. “You can imagine, the last two years, there’s been an awful lot of people who have left the tourism industry.”

“I don’t think it should go back to the way it was. But like everything – behind four or five words, there’s a multitude of layers of things that were happening,” he said. Many of the discussions have been dominated by the peak season, which is really only a few weeks of the year, he added – in the winter months, things are more manageable.

Muriel Johnstone, an elder of Ōraka Aparima Rūnaka, said the fjords are a “cradle of mythology” for the tribe – and its importance to Māori has not been reflected in the way it has operated. “Over many years, mana whenua [those with traditional authority over the land] and others have been concerned by the intensification of tourism,” she said. “Huge uncontrolled growth… has diminished the sense of awe and welcome that used to greet visitors.”

Mana whenua must be placed at the heart of the new vision for Piopiotahi, she said– and it is Māori principals like manaakitanga [hospitality], and kaitiakitanga , [stewardship of the natural world] that can guide it forward.

Out in the basin of the fjord, the ferry does a slow turn, making its way back to the harbour. The water stretches out ahead of it, unbroken. “This is about as good as it gets,” said one man, standing at the railing. In the wake, dolphins ripple through the water. As the boat approaches an enormous waterfall, a boy stands at the bow, feeling the spray on his face. His father stands behind him, taking a photograph. There’s little competition for the perfect shot.

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Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Travel and tourism in New Zealand - statistics & facts

International tourist numbers soar, auckland: new zealand’s tourism hotspot, tourism’s carbon footprint is causing concern, key insights.

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Tourism value added as a share of industry GDP New Zealand 2014-2023

Total tourism expenditure New Zealand 2014-2023, by tourist type

Total number of people employed in the tourism sector New Zealand 2014-2023

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Monthly number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand 2019-2023

Number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2023, by country of origin

Perceived positive impacts of tourism on culture and heritage New Zealand 2023

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• Premium Statistic Tourism value added as a share of industry GDP New Zealand 2014-2023
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• Premium Statistic Total tourism expenditure New Zealand 2022-2023, by product type
• Premium Statistic Total number of people employed in the tourism sector New Zealand 2014-2023

Tourism value added as a share of industry GDP in New Zealand from 2014 to 2023

Tourism GDP growth rate New Zealand 2014-2023

Growth of tourism gross domestic product (GDP) in New Zealand from 2014 to 2023

Annual tourism expenditure in New Zealand from 2014 to 2023, by tourist type (in billion New Zealand dollars)

Total tourism expenditure New Zealand 2022-2023, by product type

Total tourism expenditure in New Zealand from 2022 to 2023, by product type (in billion New Zealand dollars)

Total number of people employed in the tourism sector in New Zealand from 2014 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

International tourism

• Premium Statistic Monthly number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand 2019-2023
• Premium Statistic Annual number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2014-2023
• Premium Statistic Annual growth of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2014-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2023, by region of origin
• Premium Statistic Number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2023, by country of origin
• Premium Statistic Number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2023, by port of entry
• Premium Statistic Number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2023, by age
• Premium Statistic Number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2023, by purpose of visit
• Premium Statistic Number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2023, by length of stay

Monthly number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand from June 2019 to June 2023

Annual number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2014-2023

Annual number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand from financial year 2014 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Annual growth of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2014-2023

Annual growth rate of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand from financial year 2014 to 2023

Number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2023, by region of origin

Annual number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand in financial year 2023, by region of origin (in 1,000s)

Annual number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand in financial year 2023, by country of origin (in 1,000s)

Number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2023, by port of entry

Annual number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand in financial year 2023, by port of entry

Number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2023, by age

Annual number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand in financial year 2023, by age (in 1,000s)

Number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2023, by purpose of visit

Annual number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand in financial year 2023, by purpose of visit (in 1,000s)

Number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand FY 2023, by length of stay

Annual number of international visitor arrivals to New Zealand in financial year 2023, by length of stay (in 1,000s)

Outbound tourism

• Premium Statistic Annual number of outbound NZ resident travelers New Zealand FY 2014-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of inbound NZ resident arrivals New Zealand FY 2023, by country visited
• Premium Statistic Leading tourism experience interests among outbound travelers New Zealand 2022
• Premium Statistic Leading sport tourism experience interests of outbound travelers New Zealand 2022
• Premium Statistic Leading wilderness tourism interests of outbound travelers New Zealand 2022

Annual number of outbound NZ resident travelers New Zealand FY 2014-2023

Annual number of outbound New Zealand resident travelers from New Zealand from financial year 2014 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of inbound NZ resident arrivals New Zealand FY 2023, by country visited

Annual number of inbound New Zealand resident travelers to New Zealand in financial year 2023, by country visited (in 1,000s)

Leading tourism experience interests among outbound travelers New Zealand 2022

Leading tourism experience interests among outbound travelers from New Zealand in 2022

Leading sport tourism experience interests of outbound travelers New Zealand 2022

Leading sport tourism experience interests among outbound travelers from New Zealand in 2022

Leading wilderness tourism interests of outbound travelers New Zealand 2022

Leading wilderness tourism experience interests among outbound travelers from New Zealand in 2022

Tourism in Auckland

• Premium Statistic Monthly number of international visitor arrivals to Auckland New Zealand 2019-2024
• Premium Statistic Annual number of international visitor arrivals to Auckland New Zealand FY 2020-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of international visitor arrivals to Auckland, NZ FY 2023, by country origin
• Premium Statistic Share of domestic overnight leisure trips New Zealand 2022, by region
• Premium Statistic Top attractions visited by domestic tourists Central Auckland New Zealand FY 2022
• Premium Statistic Top attractions visited by domestic tourists South Auckland New Zealand FY 2022
• Premium Statistic Top attractions visited by domestic tourists North Auckland New Zealand FY 2022

Monthly number of international visitor arrivals to Auckland New Zealand 2019-2024

Monthly number of international visitor arrivals to Auckland, New Zealand from June 2019 to January 2024

Annual number of international visitor arrivals to Auckland New Zealand FY 2020-2023

Annual number of international visitor arrivals to Auckland, New Zealand from financial year 2020 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Number of international visitor arrivals to Auckland, NZ FY 2023, by country origin

Annual number of international visitor arrivals to Auckland, New Zealand in financial year 2023, by country of origin (in 1,000s)

Share of domestic overnight leisure trips New Zealand 2022, by region

Share of domestic overnight leisure trips taken in New Zealand as at December 2022, by region

Top attractions visited by domestic tourists Central Auckland New Zealand FY 2022

Leading attractions visited by domestic tourists in Central Auckland, New Zealand in financial year 2022

Top attractions visited by domestic tourists South Auckland New Zealand FY 2022

Leading attractions visited by domestic tourists in South Auckland, New Zealand in financial year 2022

Top attractions visited by domestic tourists North Auckland New Zealand FY 2022

Leading attractions visited by domestic tourists in North Auckland, New Zealand in financial year 2022

Views on tourism

• Premium Statistic Views on the impact of international and domestic tourism on New Zealand 2023
• Premium Statistic Views on international tourism impact on post-pandemic economic recovery NZ 2023
• Premium Statistic Perceived positive impacts of tourism on the economy and society New Zealand 2023
• Premium Statistic Views on the environmental impact of international tourism New Zealand 2023
• Premium Statistic Perceived negative impacts of tourism on the environment New Zealand 2023
• Premium Statistic Views on the social well-being impact of international tourism New Zealand 2023
• Premium Statistic Views on the impact of international tourism on culture, values, and heritage NZ 2023

Views on the impact of international and domestic tourism on New Zealand 2023

New Zealanders' views on the impact of international and domestic tourism on New Zealand as at May 2023

Views on international tourism impact on post-pandemic economic recovery NZ 2023

New Zealanders' views on the impact of international tourism on post-pandemic economic recovery in New Zealand as at May 2023

Perceived positive impacts of tourism on the economy and society New Zealand 2023

Perceived positive impacts of tourism on the economy and society in New Zealand as at May 2023

Views on the environmental impact of international tourism New Zealand 2023

New Zealanders' views on the environmental impact of international tourism in New Zealand as at May 2023

Perceived negative impacts of tourism on the environment New Zealand 2023

Perceived negative impacts of tourism on the environment in New Zealand as at May 2023

Views on the social well-being impact of international tourism New Zealand 2023

New Zealanders' views on the impact of international tourism on the social well-being of communities in New Zealand as at May 2023

Views on the impact of international tourism on culture, values, and heritage NZ 2023

New Zealanders' views on the impact of international tourism on culture, values, and heritage in New Zealand as at May 2023

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Bay of Islands

Christchurch, best times to visit new zealand, how to get there, transportation.

Tessa Desjardins/Travel + Leisure

When people learn I’m from New Zealand , I often hear that it’s at the top of their bucket list — or, if they’ve been, that it’s their favorite country in the world.  I may be biased, but I am not surprised. The stunning natural beauty, thriving culinary scene, and unique outdoor activities would charm even the most seasoned traveler.

Everywhere you look, there’s a picture-perfect backdrop filled with greenery and crystal-clear waters. And although it has a lot of untouched land, it boasts the same highlights you would find in any major global city, with art galleries, shopping districts, nightlife, and luxury hotels. Plus, it’s politically stable and very safe, which are increasingly appealing traits.

Geographically, the country is divided into two islands with distinct characteristics: the North Island is full of beaches and is home to the main cities, and the South Island is an alpine wonderland, defined by majestic mountain landscapes, rugged coasts, and world-class ski slopes. There has been a lot of development over the past few years, and travelers have more places to eat, stay, and play than ever before.  Below, see Travel + Leisure ’s essential guide to making the most of this magical South Pacific destination, according to a local.

Angelina Pilarinos/Travel + Leisure

North Island

The North Island is lined with beautiful beaches and islands surrounding the narrow coasts. It’s also where the capital, Wellington, is located, along with the country’s largest and most cosmopolitan city, Auckland , which is an essential destination on any New Zealand itinerary (and the gateway for most international flights). As Annie Dundas, head of the visitor economy for Auckland Unlimited notes, Auckland is “an urban oasis — the perfect fusion of a busy, modern city that looks out to mesmerizing landscapes and islands — all within easy reach and laden with wineries and leisurely places for long lunches.” It is worth spending at least four days in Auckland, but the North Island has many unique areas to explore, and below, we’ve charted the key destinations to prioritize.

Things to Do

Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is a popular day trip for locals and is accessible by boat, ferry, or helicopter from downtown Auckland. It’s filled with boutique wineries, restaurants, and beautiful beaches, and is especially popular in the summer months, when music festivals and jazz concerts are hosted in sprawling vineyards. There’s also a contemporary art sculpture trail, Sculpture on the Gulf , hosted each summer, enticing many Aucklanders across the harbor for a cultured day out. Pop over for the day, tour the wineries, get a scoop of ice cream at Island Gelato Company , and wander around the artisan boutiques. If you’d like to spend the night, there are high-end rentals available on Waiheke Unlimited and Vrbo , or for a hotel, go for Delamore Lodge .

Visit the Auckland Museum and the Auckland Art Gallery

For a close-up view of New Zealand’s culture and history, visit the stately Auckland Museum , where you’ll find a collection of national artifacts along with a rotation of exhibitions. It’s set at the top of the city’s main park and is within walking distance of Auckland CBD, where the Auckland Art Gallery is located. Here you’ll find some of the country’s most valuable artworks along with various international collections. Both are worthwhile attractions that can be ticked off in half a day.

Explore Commercial Bay and Britomart

Downtown Auckland has been transformed over the past decade and has become the city’s most vibrant shopping and dining hub. It’s bustling from day to night and is especially packed on Friday nights for after-work drinks and dinner. You can find some of the city’s best restaurants and cocktail bars within a small vicinity, and it’s a fashion mecca, with storefronts from major brands and local fashion designers (be sure to check out Karen Walker , Kate Sylvester , and Zambesi ).

Courtesy of Park Hyatt Auckland

Park Hyatt Auckland

Since opening in 2020, the Park Hyatt has become the crème de la crème of the Auckland hotel scene. It has a prime location, excellent views, amenities, restaurants, and spacious rooms with freestanding bathtubs and terraces overlooking the Viaduct Harbor — ideal for room service with some atmosphere. It’s within walking distance of the best bars, restaurants, and shops, but it feels like a serene enclave where you can manage to get a good night’s sleep, despite being right by the action.

The Hotel Britomart

As the name suggests, this chic hotel is located right in the heart of Britomart, surrounded by some of Auckland’s best shopping and dining. Rooms are sleek and modern yet very small, so are suitable for solo travelers and couples. If you’re seeking something more spacious, the suites are some of the finest in the city (with price tags to match). And the restaurant, Kingi, is also excellent. 

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbor

Located between the Viaduct and Wynyard Quarter, the Sofitel has long been a go-to for celebrities and diplomats visiting New Zealand. It boasts the high standards that you would expect from the French hotel brand, with a fine-dining restaurant, elegant interiors, and an impressive spa and wellness center. 

Restaurants

For a fun atmosphere and Italian-inspired fare, head to Bivacco in the Viaduct. The menu has sharable classics like pizza, antipasto, pasta, and oysters, and on any given day, you’ll find yourself surrounded by well-heeled locals socializing over bottles of rosé and cocktails. 

Soul is a restaurant that has stood the test of time, and for over 20 years, it has been a go-to venue for some of the city’s most stylish soirees. Like Bivacco, it’s also a lively spot in the heart of the Viaduct, where people go for the food as well as the scene. After dinner, there’s a dance floor that attracts a mature crowd, and on the menus you’ll find fresh seafood and bistro classics alongside an extensive wine and Champagne list.

While it’s not the newest or the sceniest place, Prego has been a solid option along Ponsonby Road for years and is just as popular with families as it is for birthday celebrations and dinners preceding big nights out at the bars along the strip. Go for the pizza or the chicken saltimbocca — everything on the menu is great as are the cocktails. Always a reliable destination for a good atmosphere and delicious food.

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Known locally as Te Papa , the country’s largest museum is an essential on any Wellington itinerary. It contains over 800,000 artworks and objects, and it has a rotation of exhibitions including dinosaur skeletons and ancient artifacts that you would expect to find at the American Museum of Natural History. It’s an interesting experience for children and adults alike.

Ride the Wellington Cable Car

For panoramic views of the city, jump on the historic Wellington Cable Car , which boards in the heart of the Lambton Quay shopping district and travels up the hillside of Kelburn. Here you will find a scenic lookout, botanic gardens, and the Cable Car Museum . 

Wander Hannahs Laneway 

Also known as Leeds Street, Hannah’s Laneway is a foodie’s paradise, lined with street food vendors, contemporary art, and cool cafes. You can pick up a variety of distinctly "Kiwi" specialties, from black forest toast to pies and creamy hot chocolates. Just be sure to skip breakfast so you have room to sample everything.

QT Wellington

This centrally located hotel could be equated to the likes of The Standard and Edition Hotels, with quirky, ultramodern design and a lively food and beverage scene.  It’s right across from the Te Papa Museum in the center of town and is popular with both business and leisure travelers. There are 65 hotel rooms with either city or harbor views, and it also has 98 apartments. 

Wharekauhau Country Estate

Although it’s a 90-minute drive from Wellington, this luxury lodge is a popular stop on any Wellington itinerary. It’s set on a 5,000-acre estate overlooking the coast and has welcomed the royal family and many international diplomats visiting the capital. Everything is designed so that you don’t need to leave: food is included and sourced from the farm, it has a spa and fitness center, and a variety of outdoor activities from ATV quad biking to tennis. 

You will need to book a month in advance to secure a table at this intimate prix-fixe restaurant. The menu is seasonal and it changes every day, so there’s always something new. A typical night might feature lamb manti, panfried snapper, and crisp meringue — delicious renditions of local New Zealand cuisine.

Located on the nightlife-centric Cuba Street, Loretta is a place to enjoy crowd-pleasing classics in a fun environment.  It’s renowned for its sourdough pizzas and vanilla cheesecakes and is a great place to go with friends before a night out or for brunch on a Sunday. 

Ortega Fish Shack

This nautical-themed restaurant has some of the best seafood around, from Yellowtail Kingfish ceviche to smoked Moki rillettes and green lipped mussels. It’s a charming and eclectic place that perfectly represents the hip, creative vibe of Wellington. 

Sculptureum

Sculptureum is a lovely and cultured place to spend an afternoon, with six art galleries, three sculpture gardens, a vineyard, and a restaurant appropriately named Rothko. Whether you’re staying in the area or doing a day trip up from Auckland, it’s an essential for contemporary art lovers and is especially great to visit in the summer months.

Matakana Village Farmers Market

Every weekend, Matakana Village comes alive with rustic markets featuring a variety of artisan food stands and fresh local produce. You’ll find delicious local cheese, honey, baked goods, chocolate, and award-winning flat whites.  It’s set up right next to the boutiques in the charming village, where you’ll find everything from quaint homeware stores to shoe shops, and there’s also a cinema and a restaurant within the main village complex.

Omaha Beach

The Rodney District has some of the most stunning beaches on the North Island, and one of the most popular among them is Omaha — a white sand beach that attracts swimmers, surfers, and families setting up for the day. It’s only a 10-minute drive from Matakana Village, and it has ample parking, a café, a boutique with swim essentials, and a playground. For bigger waves, surfers head to Tawharanui Beach , which is also located within the Matakana region. 

Takatu Lodge

This gorgeous boutique lodge is located on a serene hilltop overlooking the Hauraki Gulf. It has only four suites with luxurious furnishings, underfloor heating, and views overlooking the gardens and the vineyards. Meals are provided in the dining spaces and tailored to guests’ preferences. Also, picnics are on offer for those wanting to set up at the nearby beaches for the day. 

Courtesy of Brick Bay

Brick Bay is a similar concept to Sculptureum, with a restaurant, wine tastings, and a contemporary sculpture trail positioned around a pond and throughout a native bush. It’s been around for a long time and is very popular with both locals and Aucklanders, so it’s worth booking in advance, even if it’s just to sample their wine varietals over a cheese platter after the lunchtime rush. 

Cruise the Islands

The Bay of Islands has 144 subtropical islands, and there are many ways to explore them, be it by chartering a yacht, going on a scheduled group boat tour, hiring a kayak, or embarking of a snorkeling expedition. You can see an abundance of enchanting sea life, too, including dolphins, penguins, and whales. 

Visit the Waitangi Treaty grounds

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is New Zealand’s most important historic site, where the country’s founding document was signed back in 1840. Today, it contains two museums with interactive displays, guided tours to learn about the country’s history, and traditional Maori cultural performances that are staged in the meeting house. 

Kauri Cliffs

Kauri Cliffs was recently added to the Rosewood portfolio, which is testament to its high standards. It’s one of New Zealand’s most iconic luxury lodges, with a golf course that is ranked 37th on Golf Digest ’s Top 100 Greatest Golf Courses in the World, an excellent restaurant, and a fabulous spa nestled into a tranquil forest full of native birdlife. 

Eagle’s Nest

Positioned on a private 75-acre peninsula overlooking the Bay of Islands, Eagle’s Nest is one of New Zealand’s most luxurious boutique retreats. It is an intimate enclave, with only five villas that are beautifully designed. One thing to note is that there is no restaurant, however breakfast provisions are provided and there are on-call chefs available for private dining. 

Duke of Marlborough

The Duke of Marlborough is New Zealand’s first pub, and since opening in 1827 (before the Treaty of Waitangi was signed nearby), it has undergone various reincarnations. Visit today and you’ll find a refined version of a classic pub, with décor that feels fresh while honoring its history. Menus feature locally sourced, seasonal fare with popular items like paua risotto, clam fritters, pork belly, and of course, a solid burger.  

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

South Island

The South Island is renowned for its spectacular natural scenery from the golden beaches of the Abel Tasman to the fiords and mountains in the Southern Alps. The vibe is generally more casual, and it’s where many of the country’s best adventure activities can be experienced. In Wanaka and Queenstown , you’ll find pristine ski slopes, dramatic mountain landscapes, and an array of sprawling wineries. It’s also home to many of New Zealand’s Great Walks and multi-day hikes. There are many beautiful places to explore, and as Sarah Handley, Tourism New Zealand's general manager for the Americas and Europe notes, “New Zealand's connection to the U.S. has never been stronger, and Americans can now fly non-stop to Christchurch, in the South Island, with United's direct service from SFO [starting Dec. 8].”

Americans can now fly non-stop to Christchurch, on New Zealand's South Island, with United Airlines' direct service from San Francisco (SFO) starting Dec. 8.

Over the Top Helicopter Tour

For a true bucket list experience, take a helicopter ride and tour through the Southern Alps and the Milford Sound.  It’s the most magical way to see everything, and experience areas that are usually inaccessible, like the secluded Madagascar Beach and snow-capped, sky-high peaks. The "eurocopters" are state of the art, with maximum visibility from any vantage point.  They can be booked privately or as part of scheduled group tours. 

JensenChua/Getty Images

TSS Earnslaw Cruise

Renowned as "the Lady of the Lake," the Earnslaw is a 110-year-old steamboat that tours Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown down to Glenorchy. It’s one of the best ways to observe the natural grandeur of the Remarkables and Cecil Peak and is a particularly popular activity for families. The cruise itself take 90 minutes, but there are various experiences that can be added on arrival at Walter Peak High Country Farm, including horse treks, cycling, or barbecues. 

Arrowtown is a historic gold-mining town that looks like a village out of a fairy tale. Everything has been lovingly preserved and it is lined with quaint artisan boutiques, galleries, cafes, and restaurants. It’s only a 20-minute drive from Queenstown, and on the way, you could stop at Millbrook Resort for a round of golf or a spa session (just outside of the main village). Be sure to stop at The Remarkable Sweet Shop for the crème brulee fudge.  

Eichardt’s Private Hotel

Eichardt’s an iconic Queenstown establishment and one of the most beloved boutique hotels in the country. It has an exceptional cocktail bar, restaurant, and a spa, along with a $20,000-per-night penthouse located above the Louis Vuitton boutique next door. The location could not be better, positioned right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in the center of the action. Inside the rooms, the interiors are ultra-luxurious and suited to the alpine theme of the town — think crackling fireplaces, marble bathrooms with underfloor heating, and plush beds with fur throws. 

Matakauri Lodge

Matakauri Lodge is another property that was recently added to Rosewood’s portfolio (along with Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers in the Hawkes Bay) and is a key destination on New Zealand’s luxury circuit, hosting the British royal family and many celebrities over the years. The intimate lakeside retreat has only 13 spacious accommodations and it boasts stunning views of the Remarkables and Lake Wakatipu. Cocktail hour is a social affair, and the food and wine offerings are world class.

The Carlin is new, but it’s already garnered international acclaim, winning Best New Hotel at the Boutique Hotel Awards in 2022. It’s a place that would have "Palace" distinction if it were in France, with ultra-luxe amenities that surpass the typical five-star standard. Guests have access to private jets and Michelin-star dining, and it is home to the largest penthouse in the Southern Hemisphere.

Located just a 15-minute drive from the city center, Amisfield is the most popular winery and restaurant in the region and is an essential daytime excursion for any Queenstown itinerary. Wine tastings are available, and there are excellent Pinot Noirs produced on site. But to make the most of it, do an al fresco lunch in the beautifully manicured courtyard and take in the views of the postcard-worthy mountains.

Botswana Butchery

This lively lakefront bistro is one to book in advance, particularly if you’re visiting on a weekend. It has a charming atmosphere and some of the best representations of hearty New Zealand cuisine sourced from the surrounding farms and waters. It also has an excellent wine list with varietals from vineyards in the area.

You will need to time your visit to Fergburger well, as the lines can often exceed an hour in the evenings, but it has the best burgers in Queenstown (and anywhere, really) and is worth factoring in. There is a long menu of options to suit everyone including vegetarian options, beef, lamb, pork, fish, chicken, and also breakfast burgers. The same operators also opened Fergbaker next door where you can pick up a classic meat pie — both delicious options, especially on a cold and snowy day.

Blanket Bay

Glenorchy is very remote, and what to do, where to stay, and where to dine all fall under the same category if you want to do it well. The place to go? Blanket Bay, where apocalypse-weary billionaires are known to escape. It is one of the country’s finest luxury lodges and is the best way to experience all the area has to offer, with an excellent restaurant, bar, spa and wellness center, and a variety of outdoor activities from horse riding to heliskiing and jet boating. Accommodations are split between rooms in the main house and luxuriously decorated standalone villas.

Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve

Located in the Mt. Cook National Park, the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve has some of the clearest and darkest skies for star-spotting. It was the first Dark Sky Reserve to be established in New Zealand, and is a magical way to experience the country’s untouched natural beauty by night. 

Explore the City’s Art Galleries

Christchurch has a thriving art scene and many galleries in the central city that are worth checking out. The main ones to prioritize are the Centre of Contemporary Art (CoCa) , Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu , and the Christchurch Art Centre . 

The Mayfair

Since opening in 2022, The Mayfair has been a welcome addition to the city’s luxury hotel scene. It’s a boutique hotel with minimal, contemporary décor, and sophisticated dining options from high tea to an all-day café and cocktail bar and bistro. The central location makes it popular for both leisure and business travelers. 

The Observatory Hotel

The Observatory is a chic, design-forward boutique hotel that also opened in Christchurch in 2022.  It has rich interiors that give the sense of eternal night, with vivid colors and ambient lighting. Rooms are very photogenic, and there are multiple dining options from the Drawing Room to all-day eatery Bunsen, and more casual options within the broader complex, from food trucks to sushi and dumplings.

Inati is a stylish fine dining establishment helmed by the former head chef of Gordon Ramsay’s The Warrington. If there’s one place to book in advance in Christchurch, this is it. The menu is filled with sharing plates and is divided into earth, land, and sea categories. Guests can park up at elegant stools overlooking the open kitchen and observe their food being artfully crafted. 

If you want to experience the great outdoors (which is the primary drawcard), the best time to visit is over the summer, between December and the beginning of April. During this period, temperatures are balmy and you’re more likely to encounter solid blocks of sunshine. It’s also when the cities come alive, with many music festivals and cultural events, and is the best time to explore the beaches, wineries, and stunning walking tracks. That said, New Zealand is a great place to visit year-round, and it is also a world-renowned ski destination with ski resorts throughout the North and South Island. If you’re looking to ski, the months to consider would be between June and October, when the fields are open. 

Fiona Goodall/Getty Images

The best way to get to New Zealand is to fly into Auckland Airport, which is the country’s primary gateway. Air New Zealand has multiple routes available, including a direct flight from New York City, which takes 17 hours but is surprisingly manageable, given it flies overnight (and the airline is renowned for its excellent cuisine and high standard overall). United Airlines is launching a direct flight from San Francisco's SFO in December, and Qantas also has a route from New York to Auckland. 

Once you arrive at the airport, there are taxis and rideshare services available, including Uber, but given everything is quite spread out, it is definitely worth renting a car. That will allow you to easily explore all of the different areas (some of which don’t have regular public transport options available). Driving is also a great way to visit some of the more remote beaches and destinations off the beaten path. If you’re planning on staying in the city centers, there are buses available, trains (albeit with limited routes), and ferries. 

New Zealand Travel Guide

Related articles.

Tourism New Zealand is a Crown entity governed by a board. Our executive team works with our global whānau to deliver on our purpose and objectives.

Our Role & Purpose | Tourism New Zealand

By 100% Pure New Zealand

Board      Executive      Media

Paul Brock, Chair

Paul has a strong background in governance, management, growth business development, brand development and marketing. His extensive background in the financial services industry has also included Kiwibank Co-Founder and then Chief Executive along with senior management positions with Westpac and Trust Bank.

Paul is currently Chair of the New Zealand Story Group, Foley Wines and the Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery Advisory Panel. He is also Chair of Chubb Life Insurance New Zealand, a director of Southern Sky Dairies and a Council Member of Massey University. He started as the Tourism New Zealand Board Chair on 1 July 2023.

Kauahi Ngapora, Deputy Chair

Ngāi Tahu (Ngāti Kurī of Kaikōura), Waikato-Tainui (Ngāti Hauā/Ngāti Māhanga)

Kauahi is Chief Operations Officer of Whale Watch Kaikōura Ltd has 31-years’ experience across a range of roles focused on business, customer experience, tourism & travel, operations, governance, Māori and maritime.

He is currently a Director of Whale Watch Australia Pty Ltd and member of the Kaikōura Marine Guardians. He was the founding Chair of Destination Kaikōura, a past Director of Tourism Industry Aotearoa, and panel member on the Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

In 2018 he was privileged to be awarded the Outstanding Māori Business Leader Award at the University of Auckland’s Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards. Kauahi was appointed to the board in September 2018 and deputy chair in October 2022.

Colleen Neville

Ngati Maniapoto, Waikato-Tainui

Colleen is a chartered accountant with extensive experience in diverse sectors including tourism, forestry, Agribusiness, property, and health services. 

Recent roles have included Chief Executive Officer of Te Arawa Group Holdings Ltd which had complemented her expertise in Māori post-settlement governance entities (PSGEs), Māori incorporations and Māori land trusts.

Her governance experience includes Scion (NZ Forest Research Institute Limited), Poutama Trust (business development services to Māori), Te Ohu Kaimoana (independent audit and risk member and director of portfolio management services), Te Kakano Whakatipu Ltd (Forestry), Te Arawa Agribusiness Ltd, Te Arawa Tourism Ltd, Matai Pacific Iwi Collective (Kiwifruit) and Waikato Tainui (Audit & Risk member).

Jan was previously Chair of Skyline Enterprises and board member of the Jumping New Zealand, Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Destination Queenstown.

She was also General Manager of Millbrook Resort, Sky City Hotel & Convention Centre, and Millennium Queenstown. Jan was appointed to the New Zealand Tourism Board in June 2017.

Steve Chadwick QSO

Steve is a former Member of Parliament for Rotorua and from 2013 to 2022, the Mayor of Rotorua. As Mayor of Rotorua Lakes Council, Steve was a strong influence on Rotorua Lakes Council’s new way of doing business through the Rotorua 2030 Vision.

Under her leadership the council established a meaningful and ground breaking partnership with Te Arawa and secured significant partnership investment to enable iconic place-making projects. Steve’s career in Central Government began in 1999 and spanned twelve years, including three years as a List MP.

During this time, she held the portfolios of Associate Minister of Health, Minister of Conservation and Minister of Women’s Affairs. As Minister of Conservation, Steve advocated for the opening up of the Conservation Estate – believing that access, without leaving a footprint should be the ultimate goal. Her proudest achievements include sponsoring the Smoke free Environments Act and securing funding ($72 million) for the clean-up of Rotorua lakes.

In recent years, in addition to her mayoral responsibilities, Steve has chaired the Federation of Primary Health Aotearoa since its inception in 2018, was Co-Chair of the New Zealand Tourism Futures Taskforce from June 2020 to early 2021, and since 2018 has been on the Board of the Responsible Camping Working Group.

Jacqui Walshe

Jacqui is a dual New Zealand and Australian citizen and the long-term leader of The Walshe Group. The Walshe Group has provided dedicated airline and destination representation services to some of the world’s leading travel brands for over 40 years in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Jacqui holds a Bachelor of Business Studies, an MBA and is a qualified member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Jacqui is a member of Chief Executive Women Australia and Global Women NZ. She has had over 20 years’ experience as a Non-Executive Director in the travel and tourism, financial services and Not-For-Profit (aboriginal and youth services) sectors.

Jacqui is the former Deputy Chair, and Chair of the Audit & Finance committee, of the Australian Tourism Export Council; served as a member of the Tourism Restart Taskforce in Australia, commenced in response to Covid-19 and international border closures; and was a member of the Ministerial Advisory Council for the Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment in Australian Federal Parliament (2020-2022) as tourism industry representative.

In 2022, Jacqui was awarded the Captain Trevor Haworth Outstanding Contribution by an individual to the Australian Tourism Export Industry.

Amanda Butler

Amanda is a commercial executive who has extensive experience within the FMCG sector across Australia and New Zealand. These have included Director, Global CEO and General Manager roles within global bluechip multinationals, private enterprise and healthcare.

Amanda also holds governance positions in various sectors including Health and Conservation with sub-committee responsibilities in IT/Cyber and HR/Remuneration. Amanda is experienced across ANZ in governance and management, with a particular focus on organisation transformation, brand growth and marketing communications. Amanda is an active member of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Company Directors. Amanda was appointed to the board in August 2022.

Leah McDonald

Leah is the board secretariat. Email [email protected] to get in touch with any Tourism New Zealand board member.

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René de Monchy, Chief Executive

René de Monchy joined Tourism New Zealand in August 2015 bringing 20 years' global experience in consumer-led businesses, including local and international marketing roles for Fonterra and Heineken and Asia Pacific Breweries in Singapore.

René was appointed Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand in April 2021.

Prior to this, he was Tourism New Zealand's Director Commercial. In this role, René led a team across 15 offices in 14 countries responsible for identifying key markets and audiences for travel to New Zealand. René also led the development of Tourism New Zealand's aviation strategy to guide partnerships with international airlines.

René is passionate about the tourism sector and active in tourism industry engagement, undertaking regular speaking engagements and panel discussions.

He is currently a member of five boards or panels:

• Tourism Industry Aotearoa
• New Zealand Screen Production Grant Significant Economic Benefits Verification Panel
• New Zealand Story Board
• New Zealand China Council
• Qualmark New Zealand Limited.

Bjoern Spreitzer, General Manager New Zealand & Business Events

Bjoern has been with Tourism New Zealand for the past 14 years, currently as recently as General Manager New Zealand & Business Events.

Prior to this he was General Manager Domestic, Global Manager Planning and Partnerships, and General Manager Americas & Western Europe.

In his current role, he's responsible for domestic marketing activity, Business Events, Qualmark and industry partnerships.

Angela Blair, General Manager International

Angela joined Tourism New Zealand in August 2022. Angela is a strategic marketing leader with over 20 years’ global experience across business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing. 

Working for organisations such as Restaurant Brands, Vodafone and APN, where she developed creative marketing programmes with a commercial focus.

Prior to joining Tourism New Zealand, Angela was a member of Restaurants Brands New Zealand Executive team.

In her current role she is responsible for the delivery of marketing activity in offshore markets and aviation partnerships.

Brendan Downey-Parish, General Manager Insights, Performance & Technology

Brendan joined Tourism New Zealand in January 2016, and in 2022 was appointed to the role of General Manager Insights, Performance and Technology.

He has significant marketing and innovation expertise across the beverage, food, and consumer goods sectors in New Zealand and internationally, including seven years with Fonterra in the Middle East.

Brendan's currently responsible for insights, digital analytics, performance analytics, business planning, platform development and delivery.

Kathryn Cunningham, General Manager Marketing

Kathryn joined Tourism New Zealand in July 2023 and her responsibilities include global brand strategy, marketing content, trade, social and digital experience, marketing planning and global partnerships.

Kathryn comes from a background of brand strategy, identity and creative. She has worked as an agency partner across multiple Aotearoa New Zealand and global brands including Air New Zealand, EVT Group Rockit Global and Tiaki Care for New Zealand.

Natalie Haines, General Manager, People & Corporate Affairs

Natalie brings more than 16 years of people and culture experience to Tourism New Zealand, following senior HR roles at Oranga Tamariki and Contact Energy.

Responsible for leading our people, government relations and corporate communications functions, she has a strong background in organisational change, as well as capability and culture development.

Karl Burrows, General Manager – Pou Ārahi Māori 

Karl joined Tourism New Zealand in November 2022. Karl is a descendant of iwi of Taranaki and Whanganui. Karl founded and was the Managing Director of Haka Works, an international business sharing Māori knowledge on team culture and leadership, and Manaia, a London based kapa haka company. 

Prior to this, Karl worked as a lawyer in New Zealand and London.  The General Manager Pou Ārahi Māori role is responsible for leading Tourism New Zealand’s rautaki Māori and sustainability approach which includes guiding organisational cultural capability and confidence. 

Duane Trembath, Chief Financial Controller

Duane joined Tourism New Zealand in January 2023. Duane (Whakatōhea te iwi) is an experienced leader, having worked for TVNZ and marketing led international organisations such as Estée Lauder Companies and L’Oréal. 

The Chief Financial Officer role is responsible for ensuring best use of funds, financial stability and compliance.

Leah McDonald, Executive Assistant to Chief Executive

Leah joined Tourism New Zealand in 2008 and in 2012 was appointed to the role of Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive and Board Secretariat.

Before joining us, Leah lived in Florida, London and Sydney. She has supported senior executives across various sectors, including Australia’s leading medical defence organisation as well as the largest housing association in the United Kingdom.

If you're a New Zealand-based journalist with a media query, please contact:

• Jess Harkins McCann, Senior Communications Advisor 021 631 845 or email [email protected]
• Chelsea Cormack-Wright, Senior Communications Advisor 021 221 4627 or email [email protected]

Got an Official Information Act request? Please email:

• [email protected]

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Tourism New Zealand Twitter account overwhelmed with negative comments after Posie Parker rally

• Scott Palmer

Watch: Saturday's report on Posie Parker's rally. Credits: Newshub

Tourism New Zealand's official Twitter account has been targeted with hundreds of negative comments after Posie Parker fled the country following a fiery rally in Auckland on Saturday .

Parker, real name Kellie-Jay Keen Minshull, was forced to leave her event in Albert Park after a hostile reception from transgender rights protesters saw her doused, mobbed, and sprayed by the crowd. She was later spotted at Auckland Airport checking in to an international flight .

More from Newshub

Parker tweeted late on Saturday night that advice from police and her security team was to leave the country and hit out saying "lies were finally spewed by politicians in power in Australia and New Zealand, boosted by a corrupt media populated by vile dishonest unskilled cult members".

Her treatment drew a wave of negative attention on Twitter, with #ShameOnNewZealand trending on Saturday.

In the aftermath Tourism New Zealand was forced to turn off replies to its tweets and its latest post was deleted entirely amid the storm of comments - but calls for visitors to boycott New Zealand continued.

"Having witnessed the treatment of women trying to speak in a public place in Auckland, I won't be visiting NZ anytime soon," one person commented on a Tourism New Zealand promotional tweet.

"I think you just ruined your tourism industry today," a second wrote.

"@PureNewZealand expect your visitor numbers to plummet. Who'd want to visit a place where the government, media and police encourage aggression and mob rule?" a third tweeted.

ACT's tourism spokesperson Dr James McDowall told Newshub it's disappointing but not surprising people are shocked by what happened in Auckland.

"In a civilised country, you counter ideas you don't like with more speech and debate, not violence and intimidation," he said.

"Tourism businesses have been hammered over the past few years, they can't afford for potential tourists to have another reason to take their money elsewhere.

"The Government didn't promote rational behaviour, Ministers actually joined in on the witch-hunt. It sends a message that New Zealand isn't capable of rational debate and allowing people to speak freely."

Others however are celebrating the trans-rights counter-protest at the rally and say it's burnished New Zealand's international image.

"It's good to know that someplace in the world, when you pal around with fascists, demonize trans women and build your grift on bigotry, you might not be welcomed," one person tweeted.

Even after the pandemic, New Zealand might not be welcoming tourists back the way it used to

• New Zealand's Tourism Minister Stuart Nash is calling for changes to the country's tourism model.
• "We cannot go back to the tourism model that existed prior to COVID-19," Nash said on Friday.
• The proposal stands in contrast to many countries' focus on reboosting tourism to pre-COVID levels.

If you haven't already been to New Zealand, you might have missed your chance to see the country at its tourism peek.

At an industry conference in Queenstown on Friday, New Zealand Tourism Minister Stuart Nash called for changes to the country's tourism model.

"We cannot go back to the tourism model that existed prior to COVID-19," Nash said, according to a report from Bloomberg's Tracy Withers .

New Zealand has an estimated population of 5.1 million as of December 2020. In 2019, more than 3.9 million tourists visited the island nation.

Since 1999, the country has celebrated and highlighted its natural assets and singular landscapes in its " 100% Pure New Zealand ." It's also launched spin-off campaign variations, such as 100% Pure Middle Earth, a nod to the tourism boom the country saw after serving as the filming location for the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Among the locations drawing the most tourists are Tongariro Alpine Crossing , a national park in the North Island that sees more than 130,000 hikers annually, and the South Island's Milford Sound, which has famously been referred to as one of the wonders of the world and sees as many as a million tourists annually.

In his speech, Nash said that these "unsustainable tourism levels put far too much undue pressure on communities and our natural attractions and many communities have struggled to absorb."

Related stories

Nash is not the first figure in New Zealand to call for change. In 2019, Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, spoke about the negative effects of tourism on the environment. "The sheer numbers of people are eroding the sense of isolation, tranquility, and access to nature that many overseas tourists seek when visiting New Zealand," Upton said .

Prior to the pandemic, tourism accounted for some 9.3% of the country's $206 billion GDP . According to Tourism Industry Aotearoa , more than 13% of all jobs in New Zealand come from tourism; directly and indirectly, the industry employed more than 380,000 people in the year ended March 2019.

Nash did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on the future of these jobs should the country's tourism industry indeed be scaled back after COVID-19.

Not the typical model for pandemic recovery

Tourism numbers across the world plummeted in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world and ground travel to a halt. New Zealand recorded 996,000 overseas visitor arrivals in 2020, a decrease of 2.89 million from the previous year.

The country was hailed as an early success for its handling of the pandemic. It started imposing travel restrictions in February 2020, even though it had no known coronavirus cases at the time. Thirteen months later, its borders remain closed to almost all travelers to control the spread of the virus.

The government is currently working to open a travel corridor with Australia, but in his speech, Nash noted that New Zealand is unlikely to open back up to mass tourism before 2022.

New Zealand's talks about cutting back on tourism post-pandemic don't follow the mold. In fact, they're in direct contrast to many countries' post-COVID plans.

Many tourism-dependent countries are currently examining ways to jump-start their tourism industries and bring some much-needed relief to their economies. Thailand, for one, is enticing tourists back in by allowing them to quarantine on yachts and golf resorts . Top Thai resort island Phuket has explored mass-vaccination plans that would allow tourism to start back up in earnest by October.

Seychelles announced that it'll be opening borders on March 25 to tourists who present negative PCR test results on arrival, no quarantine or vaccine required. The Indian Ocean island follows in the footsteps of the Maldives , which fully — and successfully — opened to travelers from any country back in July 2020. And Iceland announced that from March 18 it, too, would be opening borders to vaccinated travelers from more countries in a bid to jumpstart tourism.

Watch: How COVID-19 is impacting Marine Corps basic training at Parris Island — where some recruits tested positive for the virus

• Main content

Trails of Middle Earth promo code: Discounted Lord of the Rings tours by Southern Trails

NZTT members and readers enjoy a 10% discount when booking tours with Trails of Middle Earth ( by Southern Trails) – use the promo code NZTT10.

If you’re based in Queenstown and you’re mad about Lord of the Rings, Trails of Middle Earth by Southern Trails is just the ticket to show you all of the most iconic spots (and some lesser-known ones too!)

Book with Southern Trails and save 10% using the promo code NZTT10 .

These discounts are for NZTT readers and members. Users are required to be in our free Facebook group . If you’re not on Facebook, you are required to be an NZTT newsletter subscriber . By booking through us, you will enjoy a discount while supporting us – thank you!

Choose the option that best suits your interests and timeframe….

Half-day tour

Enjoy a scenic tour, departing morning and afternoon from Queenstown, visiting:

• The Gibbston Valley
• Skippers Canyon Lookout – weather permitting
• The Ford of Bruinen
• Pillars of the Kings
• The Gladden Fields

Full-day tour

Morning tour.

Spend the morning with Southern Trails exploring:

• Skippers Canyon Lookout, weather permitting

Then grab lunch in town, before heading off on the…

Afternoon tour

Transfer to another fabulous local company and see:

• Isengard and Beorn’s House
• Lothlorien and Amon Hen

Whatever you choose, you’re sure a LOTR day to remember, complete with costumes, props, fun facts and amazing scenery!

View Our Queenstown Deals

Founder of one of Aotearoa's most popular and helpful Facebook travel planning groups, Sarah shares reliable information and discounts around New Zealand. As an experienced tour guide, travel writer and airline reservations consultant, she enjoys bringing you the best of New Zealand.

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Unexpected connection creates international co-op work term opportunity

Waterloo pharmacy student experiences pharmacy in new zealand.

Marcus Yurchuk (Rx2025) hoped to experience pharmacy outside of Ontario, but he didn’t expect to travel all the way to New Zealand for his co-op work term.

From a young age, he knew he wanted to work in healthcare to help people.

“To me, pharmacists are at the core of a community. They are trusted individuals that people can rely on to receive personal care that has a lasting positive impact on them,” Marcus says.

One of the biggest reasons that drove Marcus to attend the University of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy was the co-op program. He wanted the opportunity to practice pharmacy in a setting that wasn’t familiar to him. When a friend connected him with the owner of New Zealand’s fastest growing pharmacy chain, the School supported Marcus in seizing this opportunity.

Marcus Yurchuk with the pharmacy team at Bargain Chemist in New Zealand and a landscape shot of New Zealand

Pharmacy abroad

Marcus spent his four-month co-op work term working in Christchurch, a city in New Zealand’s south island, at Bargain Chemist – a community pharmacy that is part of the second biggest chain of pharmacies in New Zealand with over 20 locations across the country.

Being able to immerse himself in a new country, to live, work and learn in a novel environment was the adventure of a lifetime.

“I loved everything from the work to the people, not to mention New Zealand is an incredibly beautiful country. I will hold onto this experience for the rest of my life,” Marcus says.

Working in a high-volume dispensary occupied most of Marcus’ time. The overall workflow and dispensing process paralleled Ontario’s, allowing Marcus to quickly adapt to his new role to have a positive impact on the community.

“By the end of my co-op work term, my employer valued my opinion on what they could change within the dispensary and how they could optimize their processes,” Marcus says. “I am grateful to have given back to my employer and the pharmacy team after having learned so much from them.”

Waterloo pharmacy’s paid co-op work terms helped me offset the costs and made the opportunity to go international with co-op possible for me. Marcus Yurchuk (Rx2025)

Marcus Yurchuk and his partner hiking in New Zealand

Looking to the future

This experience solidified Marcus’ interest in community pharmacy. The quality of care he experienced during this co-op work term was exceptional and has reinforced Marcus’ desire to devote his life to bettering the health of his community in the west-end of Toronto.

Experiencing pharmacy across the globe was full of uncertainty but Marcus was so glad to have put in the effort to make his dream become a reality.

“Life passes quickly and once we graduate most students will be practicing within Ontario,” Marcus says. “Jump at the chance to have an adventure and open your mind up to see what pharmacy is like around the world - I promise you won’t regret it.”

Read more Waterloo Pharmacy international co-op work term stories.

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New Caledonia riots: Tourists evacuated, French President Macron to visit

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Reporting by Kirsty Needham, Lucy Craymer and Jill Gralow in Sydney, Tassilo Hummel, Ingrid Melander, Augustin Turpin in Paris; writing by Ingrid Melander and Kirsty Needham; Editing by Michael Perry, Christina Fincher, Nick Macfie and Alex Richardson

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Australia and New Zealand begin evacuating nationals from unrest in New Caledonia

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A RNZAF Hercules C-130 takes off from Whenuapai airbase near Auckland, New Zealand, bound for Noumea, New Caledonia, on a mercy mission to rescue stranded New Zealand tourists, Tuesday, May 21, 2024. The Australian and New Zealand governments say they are sending planes to evacuate their nationals from violence-scorched New Caledonia. (Michael Craig/NZ Herald via AP)

SYDNEY – Australia and New Zealand sent airplanes to New Caledonia on Tuesday to begin bringing home stranded citizens from the violence-wracked French South Pacific territory .

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia had received clearance from French authorities for two flights to evacuate citizens from the archipelago, where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.

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Hours later, a Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules touched down in Noumea, the capital. The plane can carry 124 passengers, according to the Defense Department.

“We continue to work on further flights,” Wong wrote on the social media platform X on Tuesday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said 300 Australians were in New Caledonia. It did not immediately confirm whether the Australian-organized flights would also evacuate other stranded foreign nationals, believed to number in the thousands.

New Zealand's government also announced that it had sent a plane to New Caledonia to begin evacuating about 50 of its citizens.

“New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days — and bringing them home has been an urgent priority for the government,” Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said. “In cooperation with France and Australia, we are working on subsequent flights in coming days.”

Noumea’s international airport remains closed to commercial flights. Its reopening will be reassessed on Thursday.

At least six people have died and hundreds more have been injured since violence erupted last week in New Caledonia following controversial electoral reforms passed in Paris.

About 270 suspected rioters have been arrested as of Tuesday, and a 6 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew is in effect for the archipelago of about 270,000 people, which is a popular tourist destination with its idyllic beaches and climate.

France has sent in over a thousand security personnel, with hundreds more due to arrive Tuesday, to try to quell the unrest and restore control.

Armed clashes, looting, arson and other violence turned parts of Noumea into no-go zones. Columns of smoke billowed into the sky, hulks of burned cars littered roads, businesses and shops were ransacked and buildings became smoking ruins.

There have been decades of tensions between indigenous Kanaks who are seeking independence and descendants of colonizers who want to remain part of France.

The unrest erupted May 13 as the French legislature in Paris debated amending the French Constitution to make changes to New Caledonia voter lists. The National Assembly in Paris approved a bill that would, among other changes, allow residents who have lived in New Caledonia for 10 years to cast ballots in provincial elections.

Opponents fear the measure will benefit pro-France politicians in New Caledonia and further marginalize Kanaks who once suffered from strict segregation policies and widespread discrimination.

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