by 13 people |
If you haven't guessed it yet... this lens is all about New Zealand (aka: Aotearoa - Land Of The Long White Cloud).
It's a snapshot of NZ and Kiwi culture, I've included a range of items from basic travel info to kiwi music and movies.
Don't be shy... if you think of anything you'd like to see added let me know!
Planning a holiday to NZ? Try Expedia for cheap flights
Some Basic Facts
Government: DemocraticPrime Minister: Helen Clark
Capital City: Wellington
Language: English & Maori
Currency: NZD (New Zealand Dollar)
Population: 4.17 million
People: 68% European, 15% Maori, 6% Asian
Weights Measures System: Metric
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +12
Daylight Saving: Start: first week of October
End: end of March
The Haka
Kiwi-isms (Understanding Kiwis)
Some local lingo and slang sayings
Rattle your dags - Run
Lollies - Sweets
Gidday mate - Good day my friend
He's a hard case - He's hilarious
Built like a brick shithouse - Well built
Crib /or bach - Holiday house
Bob's your uncle - That's all there is to it
Mountain oyster - Sheeps testicals
Knuckle sandwhich - Punch in the face
She'll be right mate - It will be OK
Scenic Shots
Drool over these gorgeous scenic shots captured by intrepid Flickr contributors
Auckland
With 1.3 million inhabitants Auckland is by far New Zealand's largest city. The city stretches from Wellsford in the north, to the Bombay Hills in the south. The area boasts three harbors, two mountain ranges, 48 volcanic cones and more than 50 islands. Culturally diverse, Auckland is truly a cosmopolitan city with vibrant Maori, Pacific Island and Asian communities.Things to do: visit the Art Gallery or Zoo, sail, bungy jump, bridge climb, dolphin and whale watch, climb a volcano and shop!
For more information about Auckland visit: www.aucklandnz.com
Wellington
Wellington is New Zealand's capital city and the world's most southern capital. Positioned at the bottom of the North Island, Welington is frequently battered by strong winds. That aside it is something of a cultural hub, with a vibrant and established arts scene.Neat and compact the city's centre is only 2 kilometres in diameter, and boasts more restaurants, bars and cafes per head than New York.
Things to do: visit Te Papa (The national museum), ride the cable car, go to the theatre, do a LOTRs tour, shop and eat!
For more information about Wellington visit: http://www.wellingtonnz.com/
Christchurch
Located on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch is New Zealand's second largest city with a population of 350,000 people. Famed as 'The Garden City', thanks to well-established expansive parks and public gardens. The city is framed by the majestic Southern Alps.Things to do: hangliding, mountain biking, bungy jumping, walking, tramping, hiking, golfing, fishing, sightseeing, punting down the river, star-gazing or hot-air ballooning.
For more information about Christchurch visit: www.christchurchnz.net
Places To Stay
Otahuna Lodge: Luxury Lodge Christchurch NZ
Queenstown
No visit to New Zealand is complete without spending a few days in Queenstown. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, the town is framed by spectacular mountain scenery. The adventure capital of the world - it is a tourist playground with an enormous list of activities to tempt even the fussiest of vacationers.Things to do: bungee jumping, jet boating, skiing,
mountain biking, snow boarding, hang gliding, sailing, rafting, ski diving, wine tasting/tours and more!
For more information about Queenstown visit: www.experiencequeenstown.co.nz/
www.queenstown-nz.co.nz
Sexy Kiwis
Rate these sexy famous kiwis!
The Prime Minister's Fav Song: Poi-E
History Of Poi
New Zealand Travel Guides
A few reads to help you plan a trip to NZ
The Rough Guide to New Zealand 5 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009) 
New Zealand (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 11/11/2009)
New Zealand (Country Guide)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009)
Useful Links For Planning Your Trip
- wotif.com
- Great rates for a broad range of hotels, motels, apartments, resorts and bed & breakfasts. Book last-minute accommodation or up to 28 days in advance.
- Kiwi Experience
- Kiwi Experience is a bus service for backpackers, you can hop on and off the bus along the way - setting your own itinarery.
- Intercity Coachlines
- This is New Zealand's largest coach network. The InterCity Group operates two coach networks, Intercity Coachlines and Newmans Coach Lines.
- Air New Zealand
- New Zealand's primary airline. Offering services within New Zealand, as well as to and from Australia, the South West Pacific, Asia, North America and the United Kingdom.
- House Of Travel
- This site lets you search for cheap airfares within New Zealand, and to 48 new destinations worldwide.
- Lonely Planet: New Zealand
- For some inspiration check out the legendary Lonely Planet. The must have travel guide of many a traveller.
- AA Travel
- The AA's comprehensive guide to travel in NZ. It includes a great directory of various accomodation options.
Bungy Jumping
The home of commercial bungy...
Kiwi AJ Hackett is the father of commercial bungy jumping. Bungy jumping was inspired by a ritual in Vanuatu where young men jump from tall wooden platforms with vines tied to their ankles as a test of courage.Hackett made his first jump from Auckland's Greenhithe Bridge in 1986. He made international headlines a year later when he jumped from Paris' Eiffel Tower.
From there he opened New Zealand's first commercial bungy at Kawarau Bridge in Queenstown. Since then bungy operations have sprung up at various locations around NZ and millions of jumps completed.
Bungy Sites
AJ Hackett Bungy
Taupo Bungy
Mt Hutt Bungy
Gravity Canyon
Thrill Seekers Canyon
Some Variations
Sky Jump
G-Max
Go Vertical
A Classic Line From Shortland Street...
This line is as famous in NZ as "Frankly my dear I don't give a damn" is everywhere else in the world.
For more: Shortland Street
Some Basic Maori Words
Kia Ora: HelloKapai: Well done (good)
Kai: Food
Kumara: Sweet potato
Pakeha: White person
Kaumatua Elder
Tapu: Sacred
Hangi: Method of cooking - the food is buried under heated rocks
Marae: Maori village
Haere Mai: Welcome
Wahine: Woman
Books by Kiwi Authors
State of Siege
Amazon Price: $10.95 (as of 11/11/2009)
Owls Do Cry
Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009)
The Seven Chinese Brothers (Blue Ribbon Book)
Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 11/11/2009)
Dashing Dog!
Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009)
The Garden Party and Other Stories (Classic, 20th-Century, Penguin)
Amazon Price: (as of 11/11/2009)
Reader Feedback
Leave me a note... I'd love to hear any thoughts, comments or suggestions for improving this page.
surfchicky23 wrote...
Nice overview of New Zealands cities. I would like to visit Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown as its been a long time.
Posted September 18, 2008
NZgurugirl wrote...
Kiaora! Great lens! Where do you live at home? I'm a kiwi, from Napier, now living in USA. Check out my lens on the move and adjustment to life in USA! Keep it up!
Posted July 05, 2008
kiwisoutback wrote...
Nice work! I have a kiwi lens also. A great perspective on the country!
Posted July 05, 2008
estherjane13 wrote...
I love your lens. 5* from me. I just got back from 5 months in New Zealand. Wow! It inspired me to make my own lens about the South Island. I'll lensroll yours.
Posted June 24, 2008
AidanR wrote...
Hey great lens! I've added you to my favourites and you are now my site's 'Feature Lens.'
Please drop by and have a look at my lens on Kaikoura at www.squidoo.com/kaikoura. A rating and comment would be much appreciated!
Thanks
Rachel
Posted November 05, 2007
by madame_pikelet
What can I say? I'm just another Kiwi girl with and internet connection and too much time on my hands!
I'd love to hear your feedback - if you have...
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