New Zealand – The Paradise of the Pacific

New Zealand is the country located in the Pacific Ocean and it mainly comprises of a number of islands. Popularly known with the titles like ‘God’s own country’ and ‘Paradise of the Pacific’, the country offers variety of sightseeing opportunities and a number of fun-filled activities to participate in.

History
New Zealand was previously known as Aotearoa, the name given to the country by its native Maori people. Eastern Polynesians were the first inhabitants of the region, who were divided into two tribes, named Iwi and Hapu. The European explorers started visiting New Zealand in the mid of the 17th century. In the beginning, they had to face conflict with Maori people, but with the growth of trade, the Europeans as well as the North Americans started settling down in the region. It was the British Empire that was capable of bringing the region under its rule. Finally, New Zealand became an independent nation in 1947, after which it prospered economically and in terms of tourism.

Popular Places
Auckland is the main metropolitan city of New Zealand. Hamilton and Tauranga are other well-known tourist places for offering beaches and great weather. Wellington, the nation’s capital and Rotorua are other important cities in the country. Christchurch is popularly known as the Garden City and Queenstown is known for adventurous sports.

Among the most popular places to visit, Tongariro national park is well-known for its volcanoes and adventure activities like skiing and hiking. Abel Tasman National Park is another exciting spot to experience golden sand beaches and kayaking. Coromandel Peninsula is the famous coastline that offers exotic beaches and hiking opportunities.

Lake Wakatipu and many other lakes are beautiful tourist destinations to explore. Mount Cook is the highest peak of the country and a good tourist destination. White Island, Mount Ruapehu and many other volcanoes are also worth visiting. One can also find Fox Glaciers as the site that should not be missed on a trip to the region.

Getting Around
Domestic flights can be used to get around various important places within the country. A number of guided tours are also arranged by the tourism industry in New Zealand. Buses, campervan, rails and ferries are other convenient modes of transportation. One can also hire cars and bikes to enjoy the exploration of the region a good guide is to decide hat you want to see and find out where it is then you can decide on the best mode of transport.

Places for Entertainment
There are innumerable venues in the country, where one can get entertained by activities like abseiling, aerial sightseeing, base jumping, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, diving, gliding, hiking, kite-surfing, rock climbing and so on. Bird watching, whale watching, swimming with seals and dolphins are other activities worth mentioning. One can shop for electronic goods and enjoy cuisines like roast kumara, pavlova and kiwifruit. Lemon and Paeroa is the world famous drink served in New Zealand.

Accommodation Options
Hotels, Guesthouse, inns, motels, bed & Breakfast, Lodgings, youth hostels accommodation and budget hotels are among convenient accommodation options in the country. Homestays and farmstays can also be considered as good staying options.

Currency
New Zealand Dollar is the currency used throughout the nation. It is available in the denominations of 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2 coins and $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes, check the news and internet for the latest exchange rates.

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