[...]... 03/442-3499), a new operation that puts the classic ketch used by Sir Winston Churchill in World War II to a new use on lake Wakatipu See chapter 14 for complete details 1 The Best of New Zealand 1979, New and Back inmagazine, hadZealand cartoonist Newsatirist Tom Scott, writing in NZ Listener this to say about Zealand: “Terrible tragedy in the South Seas Three million people trapped alive.” The big news in... still up in the air— at least in terms of who’s who The proposed merger between Air New Zealand and Australia’s Qantas is still awaiting approval; Britain’s Virgin Blue has successfully negotiated TransTasman flying rights; and United Airlines has withdrawn from New Zealand Here’s what else is new in New Zealand AUCKLAND The new multimillion-dollar Britomart Transport Exchange has finally opened, and Aucklanders... contact the nearest New Zealand embassy, consulate, or High Commission for information on the appropriate visa and an application If you’d like to work or live in New Zealand, you can inquire at an embassy or consulate, or write to the New Zealand Immigration Service, P.O Box 27-149, Wellington, NZ (www.immigration.govt.nz) You must also have the following items before entering New Zealand: a confirmed... colonial past There are lush gardens, art galleries, museums, and plenty of THE BEST BEACHES one-off reminders that New Zealand is like no other place I was born in New Zealand and despite frequent trips overseas, I can’t shake off the inherent sense of belonging here This book presents “my” New Zealand After many months traveling thousands of miles, testing mattresses, comparing prices, leaping off clifftops... about anything See p 115 • The New Zealand National Maritime Museum: At the pinnacle of New Zealand s boating history— with the America’s Cup Challenge right in our backyard—the Maritime Museum is booming Look for KZ1 outside, and inside discover 1,000 years of the country’s maritime history See sail-makers, boat-builders, and wood-turners at 12 CHAPTER 1 THE BEST OF NEW ZEALAND work and take a cruise... invariably tops There are leading New Zealand and international clothing labels, sheepskin products, souvenirs, leather, original arts and crafts, and masses of jewelry See “Queenstown” in chapter 14 2 Planning Your Trip to New Zealand so much to easy to overwhelmed and unsure Withto start your see and do, it’sholiday feel here to help—in the pagesabout where New Zealand I’m that follow, you’ll find... Kiwi pride gets in the way, and I can’t help boasting about these two truly magical destinations 2 Visitor Information To get started, contact the nearest New Zealand Tourism Board for a complimentary copy of its New Zealand Vacation Planner New Zealand Tourism Board offices can be found in the United States at 501 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 300, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (& 866/ 639-9325 in the U.S.,... every aspect of your trip and is a must visit Other useful sites include New Zealand on the Web (www.nz.com), which offers hundreds of excellent links; and you’ll find many more interesting New Zealand contacts at www.albatrosses.com For up to the minute ski information, click on to NZSKI.COM (www.nzski.com) When you arrive in New Zealand, you’ll find 90 official Visitor Information Centres, currently...What’s New in New Zealand N ew Zealand has had a booming 2 years in tourism Despite international downturns in travel because of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and SARS, New Zealand has welcomed over two million visitors for the first time There has been huge growth in all tourism sectors,... or lost Most ATM cards are compatible with New Zealand systems The Bank of New Zealand accepts ATM cards in the Cirrus system (& 800/424-7787; www.mastercard.com); other banks accept cards in the Plus system (& 800/843-7587; www.visa.com) Look at the back of your bank card to see which network you’re on, then call or check online for ATM locations in New Zealand Be sure to find out your daily withdrawal . Shopping . . . . . . . . . .16 Planning Your Trip to New Zealand 17 2 Contents List of Maps vii What’s New in New Zealand 1 The Best of New Zealand 4 1 1 The Regions in Brief . . . . . . . . .17 2. titles: Architects at Home: 30 New Zealand Architects in Their Own Homes; Fine Cheese: Gourmet Cheesemaking in New Zealand; and Private Views: Interviews with 20 New Zealand Gardeners. Adri- enne. ix What’s New in New Zealand N ew Zealand has had a booming 2 years in tourism. Despite international downturns in travel because of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and SARS, New Zealand