The world's most scenic country per square kilometer — fjords, geysers, Maori culture, Middle-earth film locations, bungee jumping birthplace, and the purest air on the planet.
- Capital
- Wellington
- Population
- 5,324,700
- Area
- 268,680 km²
- Languages
- English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language
- Currency
- New Zealand Dollar (NZ$)
- GDP
- $248,666M
Good to know
Driving side
Left
National dish
Bacon and egg pie, lamb, pavlova
Annual visitors
996,000 (2020)
Safety
Low (1.46/100k)
Big Mac
$4.94
Avg temp
10.5°C
Religion
Christianity
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 111 · Ambulance 111 · Fire 111
Travel guide
New Zealand (Māori: Aotearoa) is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, a country of stunning and diverse natural beauty: jagged mountains, rolling pasture land, steep fiords, pristine trout-filled lakes, raging rivers, scenic beaches, and active volcanic zones. These islands form a unique bioregion inhabited by flightless birds seen nowhere else, such as kākāpō and kiwi. New Zealanders have adopted the kiwi as a national symbol, and have even taken the word Kiwi as a name for themselves. The islands are not densely populated, the South Island even less so than the North Island, but they are easily accessible. The country has modern visitor facilities and transport networks that are reasonably well developed. New Zealand often adds an adventurous twist to nature. It is the original home of jet-boating through shallow gorges as well as bungy jumping off anything high enough to give a thrill. The indigenous Māori culture continues to play an important part in everyday symbolism, life and the identity of the nation, with many opportunities for visitors to understand and experience the history and present-day forms of Māori life.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore New Zealand
Best time to visit
December–February is summer: ideal for Milford Sound, Queenstown, and beaches. March–May for autumn foliage on the South Island. June–August is ski season (Queenstown, Wanaka, Ruapehu). September–November for spring wildflowers and fewer crowds.
Visa
Citizens of 60+ countries including US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia can visit visa-free for 3 months. New Zealand requires an NZeTA (Electronic Travel Authority) from 2019 for visa-waiver countries.
Highlights
The Bay of Islands is a subtropical micro-region known for its stunning beauty & history. For those that love beaches and water activities, it's paradise. Stunning natural beauty and over 144 islands make for an easily accessible aquatic playground, with activities like boating, fishing, sailing, snorkelling, paddleboarding, kayaking...the list goes on. There’s also more to this area than meets the eye, as the area is rich in history and culture. Many of the pivotal moments in Aotearoa New Zealand’s story happened here, including the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), considered the country’s founding document, at what is now the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. The Bay of Islands are in the Northland region in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. Located 60 kilometres north-west of Whangarei, the bay is a natural harbour with an irregular 16 kilometre wide inlet. Several sections of the bay extend into the land, notably Waikare Inlet in the south and Kerikeri and Te Puna (Mangonui) inlets in the north-west. Swimming with dolphins is another specialty of the Bay of Islands. Many operators in the region offer excellent trips to spectacular Cape Brett and the 'Hole in the Rock' on Piercy Island.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (3)
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Major cities
Auckland
New Zealand's largest city on a narrow isthmus between two harbors, with volcanic islands and the Sky Tower.
Queenstown
The adventure sports capital of the world, set dramatically on Lake Wakatipu beneath the Remarkables mountains.
Christchurch
The South Island's gateway, known for its resilience after the 2011 earthquake and its vibrant arts scene.