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Introduce New Zealand

PPC TOURS SDN BHD
Apr 8, 2016
2 min read

NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is a small country with a big heart. There have a unique history, a vibrant culture and there's so much to do – much of it outdoors in our famously beautiful natural scenery. New Zealand has a rich and fascinating history, reflecting our unique mix of Māori and European culture.

Māori were the first to arrive in New Zealand, journeying in canoes from Hawaiki about 1,000 years ago. A Dutchman, Abel Tasman, was the first European to sight the country but it was the British who made New Zealand part of their empire. In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, an agreement between the British Crown and Maori. It established British law in New Zealand and is considered New Zealand’s founding document and an important part of the country's history. The building where the treaty was signed has been preserved and, today, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are a popular attraction.

You'll find amazing Māori historic sites and taonga (treasures) - as well as beautiful colonial-era buildings - dotted throughout the country. A walk around any New Zealand city today shows what a culturally diverse and fascinating country we have become.

Of course, your will want to know some key information about our country. Both to get here, and to travel around as easily as possible. Here are the basics:

Population – Approximately 4.4 million.

Currency – New Zealand dollars (NZ$).

Climate – In general, New Zealand has a mild climate, with winds coming in from the coast. The temperature tends to get colder as you head south.

Seasons – Summer starts in December and runs through to the end of February, whilst winter falls in the middle of the year, starting in June.

People – Nicknamed ‘Kiwis’, New Zealanders are renowned for their friendliness and laidback nature. The Māori people are the native population, although New Zealand today is home to a wide mix of ethnicities including many people from the surrounding Pacific Islands, and a growing Asian population.

Time zone – New Zealand is 11 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+12 GMT). Between the end of September and the start of April Daylight Saving is observed, meaning clocks are put forward an hour to +13 GMT.

Visa requirements – Many countries won’t need to get a visa before entering New Zealand, but it will pay to make sure you check out the visa waiver countries and conditions before your arrive. Biosecurity/quarantine - New Zealand has very strict biosecurity procedures at airports and ports to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases. If your bring in prohibited items into New Zealand, they risk being fined . Go to the Ministry for Primary Industries website to find out what your can and can't bring into New Zealand during their stay.

(Information by New Zealand Tourism Borad)