AOTEAROA DISCOVERING NEW ZEALAND

Aotearoa – The New Zealand Experience

One of the planets most diverse and beautiful countries, has got to be New Zealand. The breathtaking and spectacular scenery has enthralled visitors and tourists from all over the world, especially its mountains, lakes, scenic coastlines and glorious rain forests.

New Zealand is about the size of the United Kingdom or Japan but with a much smaller population of about 4 million, New Zealand’s history traces back to its first settlers, the Maori, who named the islands ‘Aotearoa’, translated means ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’.

New Zealand has something for all types of tourism, from backpackers to family holidays and vacations. New Zealand offers a variety of activities from the blue waters of the seas to lofty mountain peaks and lush green, almost primeval rainforests, it would be hard to list all the sights and experiences that await a traveller to New Zealand, this article provides you with some of the hot tourist spots and ‘Must Things To Do’ for the real New Zealand experience.

The Coromandel Peninsula.  With great weather and some of the world’s best coastlines, this peninsula is a blend of opposites. Temperate and tropical climates never merged more closely as here! Treat yourself to the unique Hot Water Beach, this is a natural spa and best of all, its free. The Cathedral Cove is also a huge attraction, where forests and volcanic rock formations come together in what is a true paradise.

Taranaki. Situated on the West Coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Taranaki is somewhat off the tourist trail, but is well worth a visit. Mt Taranaki, (formally Mt Egmont), dominates the landscape, and on a clear day is picture perfect. Taranaki is probably the only place where it is possible surf and ski on the same day. New Plymouth, Taranaki’s largest city, can offer great food and accommodation for all budgets and tastes.

Rotorua. Often regarded as New Zealand’s most popular tourist destination, Rotorua is known internationally for its geothermal activity, geysers, mud pools and naturally formed hot springs. Tourists and international travellers have been visiting Rotorua since 1880 its geothermal springs and bubbling mud pools have attracted visitors for well over 200 years. Many Maori legends are set in the area, and today is seen as New Zealand’s centre for Maori Culture, tourists are even able to visit the ‘Buried Village’ of Te Wairoa. Destroyed along with the Pink and White Terraces in the Mt Tarawera explosion of 1886, the village has been excavated and offers a first hand look into a traditional Maori village frozen in time. Rotorua was destined to become a tourist destination from the moment settlers arrived, but it’s unique and interesting history has made it so much more.

Mt Cook National Park. This is a park partially situated on top of a glacier. Mt Cook , (Aoraki), is the tallest peak in Australasia, Mt. Cook and the nearby Tasman Glacier offer skiers arguably the best skiing slopes in the country, some that can only be accessed by helicopter. There are numerous trekking and guided tours to this hot spot in New Zealand. The famed Ball Pass is an adventurers’ delight and a must see.

Queenstown. If Rotorua is the top tourist spot in the North Island,  Queenstown probably takes that honour for the South Island. This charming town offers great scenery, surrounded by a placid lake, with snow capped mountains as a backdrop. Bungee Jumping and Jet Boating were  invented in this part of the world. Skiing, Paragliding and White Water Rafting are other options for the more adventurous visitors, or if you just want to relax and take it easy, Queenstown has a diversity of shops, cafes and superb restaurants.

Auckland. The biggest city in New Zealand, Auckland has one of the most beautiful natural settings in the world, lying between two harbours and dotted with the grassy cones of old volcanoes, Auckland is amazing viewed from above, so your first sightseeing trip should be to one of its world-famous vantage-points: Mount Eden, One Tree Hill or the Sky Tower. In the Auckland city centre, you can do most of your inner-city sightseeing on foot, or use the free City Circuit bus! Take a scenic ferry trip to one of Auckland’s beautiful offshore islands. The most famous are Waiheke and Rangitoto,  Rangitoto is a forest-covered, uninhabited volcanic island whereas Waiheke offers wineries, beaches, cafes and rolling countryside. There are numerous markets in and around the city, ranging from sophisticated Parnell, (weekend mornings) to full-immersion Pacifica Otara, (Saturday mornings) and bustling Victoria Park, (Daily).

All in all, wherever and whenever you visit New Zealand, there will be something new to discover, and if you can’t find it, just ask one of the friendly locals. Welcome to Aotearoa, Discovering New Zealand and enjoy the trip!

NEW ZEALAND LANDSCAPES

New Zealand Maori Culture Traditions and History $12.50 Maori Culture Traditions and History(43 Minutes) The glow and richness of Maori traditions are forever preserved within this documentary, presented by New Zealands well known historian, Don Stafford. Being unique to the South Pacific Islands of Aotearoa (New Zealand), once in a lifetime footage of Maori traditions, including the Haka (War dance), Powhiri (Traditional Marae Welcome) plus songs and…

Behaviors of the Backpacker (Behaviours of the Backpacker) $19.95 To make BEHAVIORS OF THE BACKPACKER, Sandor Lau, a Chinese/Hungarian-American film student and Fulbright scholar, walked 500km alone from Auckland to Cape Reinga, New Zealand’s geographic and spiritual tip. This black comedy road trip documentary records the stories of backpackers from around the world, organic farmers, hostel owners, tour operators, Maori communities, and the filmmaker himself. …

Earth, Sea, Sky: Images And Maori Proverbs from the Natural World of Aotearoa New Zealand $25.00 Patricia and Waiariki Graces lyrical translations and explanations of Maori poetry and traditional wisdom are presented alongside Craig Potton’s evocative natural New Zealand photographs….

Stonehenge Aotearoa: The Complete Guide $14.56 This complete guide to a unique New Zealand attraction—a modern version of England’s 4,000-year old Stonehenge—encourages a deeper appreciation of science while revealing captivating links between astronomy, archaeology, anthropology, history, and the social sciences….

Maori New Zealand: Discover the Land and the People of Aotearoa (Rough Guide Travel Guides) …