wedding couple embrace on the beach

About New Zealand

New Zealand - Aotearoa is not, by area a large country.  Only about 270,000 square kilomtres making it very similar in size to Japan, England or Colorado.  With only 4 million population New Zealand has approximately a third still in National Parks, stunning lakes and unpolluted beaches. New Zealand is the land to unique birds, flora and the people are proud of their Natural Heritage.

From the top of the North Island to the bottom of Stewart Island the distance is only about 1600 kilomtres, making New Zealand easy to travel - the reason for such popularity for tourists.

New Zealand offers so much... Lakes in the North Island are volcanic cratered and in the South Island many are glacier feed, fishing in the rivers is popular with a variety of fish.  Walking on the beaches which are a precious part of the inheritance of New Zealanders, bungy jumping, exploring caves, and flying over the famous Southern Alps, skiing, water rafting is just a little part of what makes New Zealand so exceptional.

Facts about New Zealand

Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean

Climate

New Zealand has in principal a diversity of temperate climates. In the far north the area has subtropical weather during summer, whilst the inland alpine areas of the South Island can be as cold as -10 degrees celsius in winter, the majority of the country lies close to the coast, which means mild temperatures, moderate rainfall, and abundant sunshine.

Because New Zealand lies in the Southern Hemisphere, the average temperature decreases as you travel south. The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20 - 30 degrees celsius and in winter between 10 - 15 degrees celsius.

Language: The official languages for New Zealand are English, Maori as well as Sign Language

Daylight saving time: Begins the first Sunday in October and ends the third Sunday in March

National Holidays:

Kiwi Slang: