Kiwifruit - Perhaps the best-known kiwi is the delicious kiwifruit. Originating in China, kiwifruit were grown in New Zealand domestic gardens for decades as ‘Chinese gooseberries’. However, when enterprising New Zealand farmers began propagating the fruit intensively for export, it was given the name kiwifruit and has since achieved worldwide fame.

Motels - New Zealand motels offer clean and cosy, superior accommodation with all the comforts of home. Motels usually have one or two bedrooms, lounge, bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. They are ideal if you prefer to cook your own meals.You will find motels everywhere. Larger motels often have facilities similar to hotels - swimming pool, spa, sauna, in-house video, laundry facilities, room service, breakfast, restaurant and so on.

Passports - All visitors to New Zealand must carry a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date you intend to leave the country. Most visitors who intend to stay for less than three months do not require a visa. If you want to stay longer than three months, or your country of origin does not have a visa waiver agreement with New Zealand, then you will need to apply for a Visitor's Visa.

Telling the Time
New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day, 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer New Zealand uses ‘daylight saving’, with clocks put forward one hour to GMT+13. Daylight saving begins on the last Sunday in September and ends on the first Sunday of the following April, when clocks are put back to GMT+12.

The Spoken Word
English is the common and everyday language of New Zealand. New Zealand is a multi-cultural society and you may hear many other languages spoken, including Maori, which is also an official language of New Zealand.

Travel - Getting between New Zealand destinations is half the fun of being here. The scenery you’ll discover on the road, in the air or along the rail tracks makes every journey totally enjoyable. New Zealand has a well-maintained road network and the main islands are linked by ferry and air services. Our network of international and domestic airports throughout the country has New Zealand air travel covered. 

When is the best time to visit New Zealand
New Zealand is an extremely popular summer destination, both for overseas and domestic visitors. Tourism New Zealand strongly recommends you book at least your first two nights accommodation during the months of January, February and March to avoid disappointment. It's a good idea to make contact with the local i-SITE visitor centre in the region you are travelling to, and discuss with them whether late bookings will be available.

What's the climate like?
New Zealand's seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere. This means that the warmest months are December, January and February, while the coldest are in June, July and August. Don't let cold months put you off - winters tend to be short and generally fairly mild. That said, on any given day the weather and temperature can change unexpectedly and sometimes dramatically. You should be prepared for that, particularly if you are going hiking or doing other outdoor activities.

What clothes should I take?
Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and night-spots. Men are generally not expected to wear suits and ties, except in a few of the top formal bars and restaurants in major cities. In summer a jacket and sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler or you visit higher altitudes. You can expect some rain, so also include a light rainproof jacket or coat. If visiting between May and September, pack warm winter garments and layer your clothing.