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New Zealand

The Land of the Long White Cloud

New Zealand Vacation Packages and Tours

Overview

Unleash your adventurous spirit with a trip to New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes.

Aotearoa/New Zealand, a pristine paradise nestled in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is a captivating tourist destination renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and wide array of outdoor adventures. With a landmass smaller than the state of Colorado, this island nation packs an impressive punch for globetrotters seeking diverse experiences. 

New Zealand's landscape is a masterpiece of nature, boasting majestic mountains, lush rainforests, pristine lakes, and rugged coastlines. The Southern Alps, with their crown jewel, Aoraki Mount Cook, offer some of the world's most stunning alpine scenery. Meanwhile, Fiordland National Park is home to the awe-inspiring Milford Sound, a fjord that leaves visitors spellbound. The North Island, too, is replete with wonders, including geothermal marvels like Rotorua's bubbling mud pools and geysers. 

For adventure enthusiasts, New Zealand is the perfect playground. Queenstown, often dubbed the "Adventure Capital of the World," offers bungee jumping, skydiving, and jet boating, while the country's numerous national parks beckon hikers and trekkers with well-maintained trails. Fiordland's Routeburn Track and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing are just a couple of examples of outstanding hiking opportunities. 

Moreover, New Zealand is renowned for its diverse wildlife, notably its unique bird species like the kiwi and kea. The country's marine life is equally impressive, offering opportunities for whale-watching and swimming with dolphins. When it comes to urban experiences, cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch provide a taste of contemporary New Zealand. Museums, galleries, world-class restaurants, and a vibrant arts scene all make these cities worth exploring.

At a Glance

Population

5,234,594

Languages

English, Maori

Currency

New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

Capital

Wellington

Places To Go

Handcrafted journeys to our most popular places to visit in New Zealand

01

Auckland

Auckland city skyline - New Zealand
02

Christchurch

Sunset Panorama of the famous Bridge of Remembrance in Christchurch with New Zealand Flag blowing in the wind. Arch backlit against the sunset Sun
03

Queenstown

Queenstown, New Zealand located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu in New Zealands South Island
04

Wellington

Aerial view over the city of Wellington, New Zealand, with a cable car climbing up the hill in the middle.
05

Abel Tasman National Park

Famous rock and tourist site in national park with sunset in the background
06

Coromandel Peninsula

Stunning cove with view of white sand beach and blue waters on the other side
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Overview

Discover tailor-made South Pacific adventures

Craft your Dream Getaway to Australia & New Zealand, a world of its own with a special character and personality. Dubbed 'Downunder" by many in the northern hemisphere, this region offers endless possibilities for tailor-made trips.

World famlous Fiord of Milford Sound in South Island of New Zealand, Fiordland National Par

New Zealand Culture

New Zealand is known for its unique and vibrant culture that reflects a rich history of Māori Indigenous heritage, European colonial influence, and a modern multicultural society. New Zealand’s culture is also strongly connected to its stunning natural surroundings. This unique blend of influences has shaped a warm, welcoming, and diverse society that prides itself on its cultural heritage and inclusivity. 

What is the visiting etiquette in New Zealand?

Kiwis are proud of their culture and national identity and appreciate it when you embrace their social customs. Kiwi culture is relaxed and informal, highly valuing friendliness and humility. Standard greetings include "G'day" and "Kia ora" (hello in Māori), and a smile is always welcomed on your New Zealand trip. Handshakes are customary in formal settings for both men and women, and a hongi is a common greeting in Māori culture—briefly pressing your nose and forehead to the nose and forehead of the other person, and it's used in everyday life with everyone. 

Wearing shoes indoors is quite uncommon in most households, so remember to ask your host if they'd like you to take your shoes off before entering. It's crucial to remember that smoking is strictly banned in public buildings and most public areas in New Zealand. Therefore, it's important to ensure you're in a smoking-permitted area before lighting up. Not following this law can lead to legal consequences, so it's best to be mindful of this rule. Be sure to ask your travel agency about customs specific to the region you’ll be visiting.

What is New Zealand best known for?

New Zealand is most known for its distinctive blend of Indigenous Māori traditions, British colonial influence, and modern multiculturalism. Māori culture profoundly shapes the country’s identity, influencing everything from the official languages—English and Te Reo Māori—to traditional arts like carving and weaving. Many vacation packages highlight the Māori culture—proudly present in New Zealand’s sporting culture—most famously displayed by the iconic All-Blacks rugby team, who perform the haka war dance before every match.

Kiwis are also known for their love of the outdoors and adventure, paired with a do-it-yourself, all inclusive, and innovative spirit, known as Kiwi ingenuity. New Zealand’s breathtaking natural landscapes are a playground for popular activities like hiking (tramping), surfing, helicopter tours, sailing, and extreme sports like skydiving and bungee jumping. New Zealand vacations are always a fantastic blend of extreme fun and stunning natural surroundings.

What are some New Zealand (Kiwi) traditions?

New Zealand is a very welcoming, all inclusive country with freedom of religion protected by its constitution. While the country has no official religion and the majority of Kiwis identify as non-religious, Christianity is one of the most popular religions, with approximately a third of the population identifying as Christians. New Zealand is celebrated for its multiculturalism, so you’ll find a diverse array of cultural celebrations and events throughout the year.

The best time to visit if you want to celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year, is between late May and mid-July, depending on the rising of the star cluster. Waitangi Day, on February 6th, commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, the founding document of New Zealand. ANZAC day is another significant national holiday, memorializing the New Zealand and Australian soldiers who served in WWI, most notably at the Battle of Gallipoli, largely considered the beginning of both Australia’s and New Zealand’s national movements.

What are New Zealanders (Kiwis) like socially?

Kiwis are known for being friendly, laid-back, and approachable, embodying the country’s strong values of egalitarianism and mutual respect. Humility and humour are also highly valued. Most Kiwis don’t take themselves or others too seriously, utilizing ironic and self-deprecating humour to emphasize fairness and equality. While a lot of social settings are quite informal, it’s important to remain polite by saying please and thank you on your New Zealand vacation.

What languages do New Zealanders (Kiwis) speak?

New Zealand’s three official languages are English, Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language, becoming the first country in the world to declare sign language as an official language. English-speaking travellers will have no issue using English in New Zealand, though you should learn (or ask a travel guide!) some Kiwi slang for seamless communication. Some of the most popular slang terms include bro (brother, friend), footy (rugby), G’day (hello, good day), heaps (a lot), jumper (sweatshirt), no sweat (no problem), sweet as (very good), ta (thanks), and togs (swimwear).

Travel Stories

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