Overlooking Tasman Bay is Nelson, New Zealand, a lovely coastal city with a thriving art community and a rich culture uniquely its own. It has been said that everywhere you look in this part of New Zealand’s South Island is a picture postcard waiting to be created.

The varied landscape offers everything from snow capped peaks on the surrounding mountain ranges to the sparkling water of Tasman and Golden Bays. This natural beauty and diversity has been one of the main attractions for the many artists of all varieties who have visited or made their home here.

Art is the dominant theme throughout Nelson and this is evident during a stroll through the many galleries and craft shops found throughout the city. On Saturdays in the heart of Nelson City the Nelson Market offers shoppers a fantastic selection of locally crafted items ranging from tasty gourmet treats to beautiful handmade crafts.

The area surrounding Nelson is also known for its fine wine with a near perfect climate for vineyards and rich fertile soil that combine to produce its many award winning wines. Tours of the Nelson wine country are offered by a number of tour operators who will introduce guests to the best of Nelson’s wine region.

In perfect harmony with the artistic ambiance of the city, dining in Nelson is no exception. Well known for the outstanding variety of fresh produce and delectable seafood produced in the region, many award winning dishes have been created by the chefs of Nelson’s numerous fine dining establishments. In keeping with the rich heritage and varied cultural influences, New Zealand cuisine is a delicious mixture of European, Asian and Polynesian with those dishes distinctly unique to New Zealand typically featuring salmon, lobster, abalone and other fresh seafood as well as lamb, venison and pork.

The known history of Nelson starts with the Maori who migrated to the island from Hawaiiki around 700 years ago. Two European explorers, Abel Tasman in 1642, and James Cook on three separate voyages during the 1770s, visited the area but neither stayed to explore the island. That came about in 1827 when French explorer Dumont D’urville landed in Tasman Bay and spent around a week exploring the area.

More Europeans followed after D’urville and the first settlement was established in the 1840s, offering the immigrants the chance for a new way of life, many purchasing land around Tasman Bay and Golden Bay. Many of the immigrants were from England and they brought with them their knowledge of farming and the traditions of their homeland.

Then in 1856 life became very exciting for the people of Nelson with the discovery of gold, copper and chromite. The mining boom brought about the construction of Nelson’s first railway as well as the accelerated growth of the community. The settlers also had a keen interest in education leading to the founding in 1870 of Nelson College.

Throughout Nelson’s history European tradition and culture have blended with the native Maori culture, evolving into the delightful mixture found today.

Adventure, culture, nature, family fun relaxation- these describe what one can find when visiting Taupo, New Zealand. Taupo has many activities including golfing, riding, boating, hiking, fishing, sightseeing, skiing, snowboarding and relaxing.

The town of Taupo can be found tucked away in the heart of the North Island of New Zealand. A popular place to visit is Lake Taupo, which is the largest lake in New Zealand and the second largest freshwater lake in Oceania. Lake Taupo is famous for its fishing. It is home to the largest trout fishery in the world. In addition, visitors can enjoy the water by waterskiing, boating, kayaking or parasailing.

North of Taupo, visitors will find Wairaki Park, home of the Huka Falls. The Huka Falls are the most popular natural attraction in the country. The Huka Falls are part of the Waikato River, which is connected to Lake Taupo. The Huka Falls are located in the where the two bodies of water meet. There are several ways to enjoy this spectacular piece of nature: a boat cruise, a Hula jet ride, or a nature walk along the river.
While in Wairaki Park, stop to visit the Craters of the Moon. Over 26,000 years ago a volcano erupted on the North Island and Lake Taupo was formed. Today, it sits in a volcanic zone. During the 1950’s, the northern region began to get hot and started to release steam. In addition to some volcanic activity, the mud began to boil. These events led to the Craters of the Moon attraction. Visitors can walk along experiencing the effects of steam vents, boiling mud pools, bubbling craters and fumaroles, which are cracks in the surface that release gasses and steam.

The Tongariro National Park is home of three active volcanoes: Tongariro, Ruapehu, and Ngauruhoe. One popular activity is the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Hikers can explore the beautiful landscape and spectacular volcanic scenery as well as enjoy Lake Taupo and Mount Taranaki. Mount Taranaki offers river rafting, surfing, and snowboarding. In addition to the Alpine Crossing, there are other hikes available that are shorter in length. Hikers can enjoy the beautiful scenery including waterfalls and craters. Those who enjoy skiing and snowboarding can visit Mount Ruapehu. Mount Ruapehu has two ski areas that are generally open between June and October.

For those interested in art and history, the Taupo Museum is located in the heart of Taupo. The museum has an art gallery that features a large variety of New Zealand artists and many different types of art including painting, sculpting, quilting and photography. Visitors can also walk through a huge gallery that displays many artifacts that tell the history of Taupo and New Zealand. In addition, the museum has the beautiful Ora Garden. It is a breathtaking representation of the natural vegetation found in New Zealand.

With moderate temperatures throughout most of the year, and a large variety of attractions and activities, Taupo, New Zealand is a great place to visit during the summer as well as the winter.

Auckland, New Zealand is a Polynesian paradise with many natural assets including being only one of the few world’s cities that has harbors on two major bodies of water. In Auckland’s case that is the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea. This dream tourist destination is nicknamed “City of Sails” because of the gulf, sea, beaches, islands, and water attractions. Being New Zealand’s largest city, it boasts of culture, great shopping, excellent restaurants, and cruises around the picturesque islands. Auckland was named number ten of the 2010′s World’s Most Livable Cities named by “The Economist”.

The famous heritage AUCKLAND CIVIC THEATRE opened in December of 1929 and had a major renovation before reopening in December of 1999 in honor of its 70th anniversary. It can seat up to 2,378 people in this largest surviving atmospheric theater in Australasia and one of only seven in the world. Atmospheric means it creates the feeling of an outdoor auditorium with an open sky and twinkling night stars. The foyer has seated Buddhas, and the main auditorium imitates a Moorish garden.

AOTEA SQUARE is the hub of downtown Auckland. It is a large paved area used for public events including art and music festivals, rock concerts, fairs, and rallies. On Fridays and Saturdays there is an arts and crafts market. You will find art works and statues including a bronze figure of a Maori warrior, a bronze fountain, an expressionist version of a Maori entrance gate, and other unique pieces.

AUCKLAND’S SKY TOWER is New Zealand’s tallest man-made structure. There are three viewing platforms reached by glass-fronted lifts. If you are very brave, there is a SkyWalk and a SkyJump. You can dine at The Observatory Restaurant or at Orbit, which is a restaurant that revolves 360 degrees. The views are breathtaking.

ANTARCTIC ENCOUNTER AND UNDERWATER WORLD is a wonderland of ice, snow, and underwater encounters. You can see penguins and other marine creatures, swim with stingrays, or swim with sharks!! This is quite an unusual aquarium.

The AUCKLAND ZOO is one of the world’s progressive zoos, has the largest animal collection in New Zealand, and has won national and international environmental awards. There are over 750 animals which are featured in events and encounters.

WALHEKE ISLAND, “the Island of Wine”, is the Hauraki Gulf’s second largest island and is known for its forests, farmland, white sand beaches, hidden coves, grape vineyards, and olive groves. Popular pastimes are sea kayaking or sailing, windsurfing, mountain biking, hiking, and winery tours. Bikes and mountain bikes are readily available for rent. This island is only 35 minutes from downtown Auckland by ferry.

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Rotorua is a city located on the edge of a lake that bears the same name. The name comes from the Maori language, “the second great lake of Kahumatamomoe.” It sits in the Bay of Plenty Region on the upper tip of the Northern Island of New Zealand. New Zealand itself is an island located off the mainland of Australia. Over the years it has proved to be a valuable and beautiful island. It is now a very popular tourist destination, for both outdoor enthusiasts and those who enjoy the historical importance of the city. It also serves as the epicenter of the Rotorua District, or the seat of government for that particular area of New Zealand territory. However, the main tourist attraction of the city is the fact that it is known for its geothermal activity. Rotorua is home to several geysers that draw tourists in both domestically and internationally.

Rotorua, again, comes from the Maori language. Literally, Rota means ‘lake,’ and tua means ‘two.’ So “lake of two.” Thus the Maori called is the “second lake.” Kahumatomomoe dedicated the lake to his uncle. The name may also translate at “crater lake.” The area of Rotorua was settled originally by Maori, specifically the tribe of the Te Arawa Iwi. History does make it clear if Phillip Tapsell was the first European to settle the territory, although it is a common theory. He was trading at Maketu Bay when he came to Rotorua in 1828. Interestingly enough, he married into the Te Arawa people and proceeded to become highly esteemed and beloved by the natives because of this. Thomas Chapman and Henry Williams, missionaries at the time, visited the island in 1831. Chapman and his wife established an official mission at Te Koutu, which was abandoned within a year. However, he returned and later built a second mission.

The lake sides were famous for providing the sites to many famed skirmishes during the New Zealand wars of the 1860s. During the late 19th century, people began to believe that it would be prudent to turn Rotorua into a spa resort, due to the fact that they had geothermal activity, and thus, hot springs. The introduction of the railroad and increased access to the little city quickly turned the small territory into a thriving community. The population steadily increased over the 20th century. In 1922 it was declared a ‘borough,’ and in 1962 it was declared a city and in 1969 it was deemed a district.

The climate of the area is somewhat subtropical. The geothermal activity of the area lends a hand to the temperatures, which can sometimes be slightly humid. The lake, the hot springs and geysers are all popular for drawing in tourists. They are most often viewed during the daytime. The Buried Village is fun to see. It was once buried underneath ashes and lava after a volcanic eruption, but today it serves to stand as a unique preservation of the Maori people’s past and way of life.

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New Zealand is truly one of the most beautiful countries to visit in the world. Right off the mainland of Australia, this lovely place features many natural wonders and rich historical sites. It is a famous tourist destination. Wellington is the capitol city of New Zealand but also doubles as the third most populated city in the country. It is located on the tip of New Zealand’s North Island.

The name, Wellington, comes from one Arthur Wellesley, who was at the time of the founding of the city, the duke of Wellington and the victor that emerged from the Battle of Waterloo which oversaw Napoleon’s ultimate downfall. In Maori (the native language of New Zealand aborigines), there are three different names from the area of Wellington. The first is Te whanga-nui-a-Tara, which means “the great harbor of Tara.” The second name is ‘Poneke’ which serves as a transliteration of a nickname for Port Nicholson. The last name is Te-Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Maui, which means “the head of the fish of Maui. This name derives from the traditional name of the northern part of the island that, according to local legend, was fished out of the sea by the demi-god Maui.

Settlement of the island occurred in 1829 on the New Zealand company ship, the Tory. However, legend says that Kupe discovered the land and the districts during the tenth century. 150 more settlers arrived in 1840 after the first settlers had already cultivated the land a little in the preceding eleven years to their arrival. They eventually constructed their settlement in Petone, which was for some time referred to as Britannia. It sat on the banks of the Hutt River. It was not a good place to settle, however, as it was swampy and damp. They redrew their plans and moved the settlement to what’s now known as Wellington. It became the capitol in 1841.

Wellington is a very important in the political and economic plateau of New Zealand. It is the seat of the New Zealand Parliament. The head of all of the Government Ministries and Departments as well as diplomatic relations are located here, as well. It is the centre of government for New Zealand. The centre of the city is quite compact and boasts a vast array of entertainment and cultural landmarks. The nightlife is very well known in the area and features many art galleries, boutique and cafes that visitors and locals love to visit. It is also an important facet of the film and music industry of New Zealand. There are also several famous organizations and centres located here: The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Te Papa Tongarewa (the museum of New Zealand), the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Musuem of Wellington City and Sea among many others. These sites are well known in the country, however, and attract many thousands of visitors every single year. The Museum of New Zealand is perhaps among the most eye opening of all, giving a peek into the rich history of the country.

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No place on Earth has scenery quite like New Zealand. Christchurch, New Zealand combines breath-taking natural beauty with modern convenience. Christchurch, the second largest city in New Zealand, is located on the east coast of South Island. In addition to being the second largest city, Christchurch also boasts the title of oldest established city in the country having been officially established on July 31, 1856. The population, consisting of 348,400 residents, speaks primarily English, though English and Maori are both official languages.

Christchurch is internationally known as “The Garden City” in recognition of its vast and beautiful gardens and parks. Some of the more notable gardens and parks include the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park, Victoria Square and the Mona Vale garden on the bank of the River Avon. The gardens, in fact, are such an important part of the Christchurch culture that the city hosts two major flower festivals throughout the year. The first festival, “Burst! The Festival of Flowers,” is held in the Botanic Gardens in February of each year. The second, “The Ellerslie International Flower Show,” is hosted in north Hagley Park in March. Both shows draw large crowds of natives and tourists alike with their offerings of food, entertainment and stunning displays of flowers.

The city of Christchurch is a popular tourist destination with much to offer its guests. In addition to the magnificent gardens located throughout the city, Christchurch also has easily accessible beaches and secluded bays, such as the Banks Peninsula. Extinct volcanoes can be seen in the Christchurch area and are important destinations on sightseeing tours of the city. Residents and visitors alike find it easy to get around the simple grid design of the city and some have proclaimed it the easiest city in the world to navigate. This ease of access is aided by free city bus service. While gardens and natural beauty are a large part of Christchurch’s appeal to tourists, the city also boasts a wide variety of arts and culture with a modern art gallery, large library system, The Canterbury Museum and the Court Theater for live theater entertainment. The city’s architectural offerings are also excellent. Christchurch is home to some of the oldest European Heritage buildings. Visitors find the overall mild climate of the region to be very agreeable with the summer months running from December to February and winter months from June to August.

Recently, Christchurch has drawn attention from a major natural disaster as opposed to natural scenery. In February of 2011, the city of Christchurch was greatly affected by an earthquake and portions of the city, especially the central city, were destroyed. Much of Christchurch has been closed recently in order to assure safety and to allow for reconstruction. However, new areas are being declared officially safe and able to open on a regular basis. Christchurch and its surrounding areas will continue to rebuild and many of the city’s events, such as the flower festivals, are scheduled to commence as usual in late 2011 and early 2012.

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Off the coast of Australia, sits New Zealand. It is small in stature but rich in cultural importance and international history. Queenstown, New Zealand is a great example of this combination. To be specific, Queenstown is now a resort city that was built in Otago, on the southwest side of New Zealand’s South Island.

During the early 1800s, the area was first explored by Europeans. The names of the two main explorers who oversaw the land first were William Gilbert Rees and Nicholas Van Tunzelman. After they surveyed the area they returned to their mother country. However, they found themselves coming back to the area that is now Queenstown and settling in in the year 1860. Their reason for returning was to establish a high-country farm in the area. It was situated where the modern town centre now lies. It was not for the Rees’ farming industry to be successful, however. Not long after the farm was established in 1860, gold was discovered in 1862 at the Arrow River. Because of the sudden influx of settlers attempting to take part of the New Zealand ‘gold rush’ so to speak, Rees turned his wool shed into a hotel. The hotel was called “The Queen’s Arms.’ It is still in existence, only now it is called ‘Eichardt’s.’

It is not clear how the name of the town originated. It is common myth in the area that one gold miner, struggling to get rich, remarked that the town was fit for “Queen Victoria,” thus became the name Queenstown. However, there is not historical proof of this fact, only a legend.

Today, Queenstown is basically known for its natural beauty and the adventure tourism that draws people to the area because of it. Skiing, boating, jet-skiing, white water rafting, rock climbing, bungee cord jumping are just a few of the extreme sports that take place in the area. Skateboarding, mountain biking, fly fishing and tramping are all important promotional themes that are pushed in the area. People from all over the world travel to Queenstown to ski at the four main skiing resorts that are located here: Cardona Alpine Resort, The Remarkables, Treble Cone and Coronet Peak. The Waiorau Snow Farm is also a very popular skiing retreat for people who are craving a more quaint experience.

The TSS Earslaw is a 100 year-old steamship that still provides tourists with rides out into the bay. The hotels of Queenstown have been gaining international renown for a long time. It is starting to become a very popular honeymoon destination. There is also a vibrant and exciting nightlife scene that can be found in the downtown district of the city. Part of the charm of the local culture is its reputation for being a city with many dining and wine tasting options. Queenstown actually lies on the edge of a wine producing town, giving it access to some of the best wines in the country. There are also many beautiful natural wonders to visit, as well.

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Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is comprised of 2 island land masses, the North and South Islands. Australia is 1250 miles southeast and to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. Due to relative isolation the country has bird and plant life that are indigenous to the area. The islands were settled by Polynesians somewhere around 1250-1300 AD, though some believe they may have arrived as early as 50-150 AD.

The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman discovered the islands in 1642. He called them Staten Landt, assuming they were part of South America. Several of Tasman’s crew were killed by native Maori so the expedition fled and Europeans did not return until James Cook’s arrival. Later Dutch cartographers called the islands Nova Zeelandia which Cook converted to New Zealand. Cook mapped almost the entire coastline in 1769. After this expedition numerous European and North American whaling, sealing and other trade vessels visited. Potatoes and muskets changed Maori culture. Christian missionaries arrived and quickly converted most of the native peoples.

The British government appointed William Hobson to claim the land and establish a treaty with the Maori in 1840, as the French were becoming interested in the islands. The Treaty of Waitangi was officially signed on February 6, 1840. The treaty remains this day as a foundation of New Zealand as a nation and protects the rights of the Maori people.

New Zealand was originally considered a part of New South Wales (Australia) and the capital was established in Auckland in 1841. The native peoples welcomed the settlers and the trade industry as it increased their wealth. Confrontations soon erupted as the Maori were loosing land and the New Zealand Land Wars raged in the 1860’s and 1870’s.

The colony formed a representative government in 1852 when the UK passed the New Zealand Constitution Act. In 1856 they became self governing and in 1897 became the first nation to grant women the right to vote. New Zealand became a Dominion in 1907 and an independent Commonwealth in 1947. The Great Depression brought about the first labor government and established a comprehensive welfare state and a protective economy. The country continued to be a member of Great Britain, fighting with them in the Boer War, WWI and WWII.

The South Island is larger and is divided longitudinally by the Southern Alps. The North Island is less mountainous but has active volcanoes. Getting around the two islands is pretty easy with a Car Hire New Zealand. Climates range from extremely wet and subtropical to extremely dry and arid. Temperatures range from 32 degrees F to 86 degrees F. The varied landscape has allowed the country to be a popular location for filming TV programs and films. Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Last Samurai were filmed in New Zealand.

A population of 4.3 million is 73% European. English is spoken by 98% of the people and Maori and Samoan are fractionally next. There is a very little amount of French, Hindi, Yue and North Chinese spoken. Major cities include Auckland, Taupo, Christchurch, Nelson and Queenstown. New Zealand is a relatively young country and besides the breathtaking scenery many cathedrals and historic places can be visited. The Bridge of Remembrance honors war veterans and Waitangi is the sight of the first settlement and displays historic Maori culture.

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