It could be said that UK travel companies have been arranging excursions to New Zealand ever since Captain James Cook sighted its distant shores in 1769.
‘The Land of the Long White Cloud’, was then sparsely populated with native Maoris, and even today it is noticeably uncrowded. The two main islands, North and South Island, occupy a similar area to the UK and Japan, yet there are just four million New Zealanders compared to 70 million UK residents and 120 million Japanese.
What New Zealand lacks in people it makes up for with their warm friendliness and the stunning natural beauty all around. Fresh air, breathtaking scenery and outdoor activities are among the country’s main attractions, and it delivers them in style.
The two islands have surprisingly different characters. The North Island has dramatic volcanic landscapes, long stretches of beautiful beaches, ancient indigenous forests, excellent sailing and a strong Maori cultural influence. The South Island has a slower pace of life, its landscape dominated by a backbone of magnificent mountains, snow-covered Southern Alps, fjords and glaciers, deep lakes and verdant forests.
Wherever you are, New Zealand offers a huge variety of action-packed adventure and laid-back leisure. Your wish-list may include white water rafting, bungee jumping, skiing, swimming with dolphins or mountain biking – balanced to personal perfection with opportunities for spectacular scenic walks, first-class museum and gallery visits and sensational cuisine.
Climate
The North Island enjoys mild winters and warm and humid summers. The climate of Auckland is almost sub-tropical. Summer months (December to February) are warm with high humidity and winters are mild and damp. The average daily temperature during summer is 23 degrees Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit), while in winter (June to August) this drops to 14 degrees Celsius (57 degrees Fahrenheit).
The South Island is subject to lower temperatures with especially cold winters feeding the extensive snowfields and glaciers.
Language
The official languages of New Zealand are English and Maori.
Passport Visa
Visitors to New Zealand must have on onward ticket. A visa is not always necessary, but there is a range available to allow you to visit for a holiday or to visit friends and family. There are also some special visas that allow other activities such as short term study or some business activities. Please check rules around visa requirements before you travel, as they may change regularly.
Safety
New Zealand is one of the safest travel destinations in the world. As ever, travellers should take the usual sensible precautions to safeguard their belongings.
Our Services
For all your high-end, bespoke leisure and corporate travel needs to New Zealand, contact our Travel Managers on 0203 535 9290 or info@simplexitytravel.com today.
Website Disclaimer
The content of this page and this website is provided for your general information purposes only. While we try to make sure that the information detailed is accurate and up-to-date, we cannot promise that it will be and any reliance that you may place on the information on this website is at your own risk. For further information on this and other matters relating to the website, please refer to our Website Terms and Conditions.[/fusion_tab]