New Zealand

New Zealand is bursting with energy. From the bubbling volcanic activity in the North Island’s Taupo Volcanic Zone to the acrobatic peaks of the Southern Alps the very land itself is fresh and vivacious – something that rubs off on the people. Once visited it’s never forgotten. Emirates flies from Birmingham International Airport via Dubai to both Auckland in the populous North and Christchurch in the untamed south.

Auckland, the largest and most populous city in the country, is situated at the northern end of New Zealand’s two major landmasses – the North Island. It’s a city built on a narrow isthmus of land, with natural harbours to both the north and south.

The city is multi-cultural, with the largest urban population of Polynesian people anywhere in the world and at 1.3 million people it’s as bustling and sophisticated as any visitor could want.

The dramatic landscape of Auckland's west coast is accessible within a 30-minute drive from downtown, just one of the starkly contrasting landscapes that are accessible within a short distance from the city.

Auckland's North Shore, just over the harbour bridge or a short ferry trip from the city centre. Known as the 'lifestyle city', North Shore City has more than 20 pohutukawa tree-lined sandy beaches, stretching up the coast from the historic seaside village of Devonport, with the entire coastline luxuriating in views across to Rangitoto Island. The juxtaposition of parks, reserves and native bush alongside boutique shops, markets, cafes and galleries all contribute to the North Shore's laidback lifestyle; while its restaurants and bars ensure that events offer options for all.

Travelling further north, the cityscape evolves into the rural green countryside of Rodney District and Matakana Coast wine country, with attractions on either coast of the peninsular. To the west - wild beaches, black sandy shores and surf. To the east - gentle waves, golden sands and islands. Abundant marine life is showcased at the Goat Island Marine Reserve, the first marine reserve established in New Zealand. Historic Kawau Island was once home to the first governor general of New Zealand, and his former home is open to visitors. Kawau Kat runs cruises to Kawau Island on the daily Mail Run Cruise - the largest mail run by water in the Southern Hemisphere.

The warm coastal climate makes for ideal wine growing conditions, and some of New Zealand's oldest wineries can be found here, including Kumeu River, Soljans Estate and the Nobilo Wine Group. The Matakana region has developed into a food and wine mecca, with a weekly farmers’ market showcasing the locally grown produce and delicacies.

Auckland's Hauraki Gulf is home to more than 50 islands, many of which are accessible by boat trip or flight. Iconic Rangitoto - the youngest of Auckland's volcanoes and a dominating landmark in Auckland's inner harbour - has fascinating geology and the world's largest pohutukawa forest. The island can be explored by foot or on a guided 4WD journey. To the north of Rangitoto is Tiritiri Matangi, a world-class conservation park home to more than three million native trees and many endangered birds.

Waiheke Island's landscape is a picturesque blend of farmland, forest, beaches, vineyards and olive groves. Some of New Zealand's best red wines come from Waiheke including the Stonyridge Larose, one of the top 20 cabernet blends in the world. The hot, dry summers and stony soils provide ideal wine growing conditions. Visitors have a choice of accommodation - from seaside cottages to five-star luxury accommodation such as Delamore Lodge or the Boatshed. Guided food, wine or art tours of the island are available.

Further north, Great Barrier Island has the kind of spectacular, untouched beauty that appeals to adventurers. With more than 70 per cent of the island administered by the Department of Conservation, this is one of New Zealand's premier eco-retreats. Native wildlife can be discovered on a guided tour of Glenfern Sanctuary while Earthsong Lodge offers a luxurious retreat nestled in native forest with panoramic ocean views.

Travelling south of the city, the rich rural landscape of New Zealand is showcased in Manukau City, including forests, lakes, gently rolling farmland and 300 kilometres of picturesque coastline. The city's colourful multi-cultural traditions can be enjoyed every Saturday at Otara markets with authentic music, food and original arts and crafts. Cultural and natural historic treasures include Mangere Mountain and Otuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve. Created by volcanic eruptions 20,000 years ago, it is a unique insight into how people once lived and worked in the volcanic areas of Auckland. Wine lovers can sample some of New Zealand's most award-winning wines at Villa Maria Estate or head to Clevedon, home to a number of boutique wineries. Christchurch, on the east coast of New Zealand’s sparsely populated South Island is the nation’s second most populated city. Known as ‘the garden city’, the place has a relaxed, untroubled air and feels connected to the glorious land it sits on.

Getting close to spectacular nature is easy to do around Christchurch, where you can swim with seals and dolphins, watch majestic whales at Kaikoura, and explore glaciers at nearby Mount Cook.

But you didn’t come all this way just to stay in and around a city, did you? Even a city as picturesque and welcoming as Christchurch. The real star of this show is the outdoors, which doesn’t come any greater.

New Zealand's Nine 'Great Walks' are world-renowned and a great way to get out and immerse yourself in the magical geology. The Milford Track in Fiordland on the South Island’s west coast is one of the most famous routes. Set in the Fiordland National Park, this three day trek takes in some of the most amazing landscapes to be found anywhere on the planet. The number of walkers allowed on the trail is strictly limited in order to protect the environment, and places are booked up for months in advance – so plan well ahead.

The Routeburn Track, less tightly controlled than the Milford Track, is also in Fiordland. Camping is permitted, but the walkers’ huts that line the route need to be reserved in advance. As a relatively short route it’s accessible to day hikers.

For those not ambitious or fit enough to tackle one of the big Nine, most New Zealand cities have great native bush walks nearby, making it easy to get off the beaten track, making the New Zealand outdoors open to people of all fitness levels.

The Kiwis know that they’ve got something special and are only too keen to get out there and enjoy it, and visitors from across the world are more than welcome to join in. The high energy of the country’s geology has well and truly got into their system, and they’ve come up with a raft of ingenious ways to enjoy it even more.

The Hamilton jet, the ski plane, bungee and Zorb are all examples of Kiwi inventions that have pushed traditional boundaries of travel and embody the Kiwi sense of adventure. These examples have provided more unique ways for travellers to experience some of New Zealand’s most scenic locations.

The Hamilton jet is just one of many examples of Kiwi innovation. William Hamilton, a farmer, developed the jetboat in 1954 to allow navigation of the shallow Canterbury Rivers. Hamilton’s invention revolutionised boating and soon developed into a thrill sport that has spread throughout a range of New Zealand’s most scenic rivers and lakes. Hamilton led the way in creating a vehicle for visitors to see some of New Zealand’s most breathtaking areas and jetboat operations are now situated all around the country from Waikato’s Woodlyn Park to the Dart River in the Southern Alps.

New Zealand Tourism Award Winner Shotover Jet is the only company permitted to operate amidst the scenery of the Shotover River Canyons - home of shallow water jetboating. Shotover Jet provides an unforgettable way to experience Queenstown, complete with 360-degree spins. The Shotover Jet group also owns Dart River Safaris in Glenorchy and Huka Jet in Taupo.

In Glenorchy, just outside the Southern Alps, the Dart River Safari combines wilderness jetboating along the glacial Dart River, a walk in the ancient beech forests of the World Heritage Area Te Wahipounamu and a back road journey through the high country farmland and forests around Paradise - a key location from Peter Jackson’s film trilogy, ‘The Lord of the Rings’.

In the heart of Whanganui National Park, Bridge to Nowhere Jetboat Tours follow the route of the turn of the century riverboats to the Mangapurua Valley, home to some of New Zealand’s early European pioneers. The half-day trip travels through fern clad river gorges and combines a 40-minute walk through native bush.

Fiordland’s Hump Ridge Jet takes in one of New Zealand’s most remote and untouched rivers, the Wairaurahiri River and Lake Hauroko, the deepest in New Zealand. The thrill of 27 kilometres of grade three, rock strewn white-water rapids contrasts with the scenery of million-year-old virgin beech forest to provide one of the best jetboating experiences in New Zealand.

For a unique way to take in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, people can experience the world’s only fixed-wing glacier landing. It took years of perseverance and famous Kiwi ingenuity by Sir Henry Wigley to create the first retractable skis for an aircraft, but Mount Cook Ski Planes made aviation history in 1955 when Sir Henry made the first snow landing on the Tasman Glacier, the longest glacier in the Southern Hemisphere.

Renowned Kiwi innovators AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch have seen the growth of ‘this rubber thing’ into one of New Zealand’s most iconic adventure tourism activities. Inspired by a Vanuatu ritual involving tribesmen leaping off structures with vines attached to their ankles, AJ Hackett Bungee developed unique bungee cords that now allow adventure-seekers to launch themselves from some of New Zealand’s striking locations.