about new zealand
The spectacularly beautiful New Zealand landscape includes vast mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, deep fiords and lush rainforests.
Comparable in size to Great Britain, Colorado or Japan, New Zealand has a population of only 4 million, making it one of the world's least crowded countries. It is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxation as well as a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers. A temperate climate with relatively small seasonal variation makes New Zealand an ideal year-round holiday destination.
New Zealand has a rich and fascinating history, reflecting both our Maori and European heritage. Maori historic sites, some dating back almost a thousand years, are a contrast to many beautiful colonial buildings. A walk around any New Zealand city today shows what a culturally diverse and fascinating country we have become.
New Zealand Seasons
The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months in New Zealand are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August. In summer, maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC and in winter between 10-15ºC. You can check on New Zealand weather conditions on the New Zealand Met Service website. While these temperatures are the norm, the weather in New Zealand can change unexpectedly as cold fronts quickly blow in. Because of this, you should be prepared for sudden changes in weather.
New Zealand Natural Environment
New Zealand 's separation from other land masses about 100 million years ago allowed many ancient plants and animals to survive and evolve in complete isolation. Complementing our unique flora and fauna is a landscape that contains an unrivalled variety of landforms. In a couple of days drive in New Zealand it is possible to see everything from mountain ranges to sandy beaches, lush rainforests, glaciers and fiords as well as active volcanoes.
New Zealand Flora
In spite of 1000 years of native bush clearance by humans, about a quarter of New Zealand still remains forested - mostly in high country areas. Most of these areas are protected from exploitation in national and forest parks, where they can be enjoyed by all. The characteristic New Zealand forest is a temperate, evergreen rain forest with giant tree ferns, vines and epiphytes - looking like the popular image of a jungle. The giant kauri, among the largest trees in the world, is now restricted to relatively small forest pockets in Northland and the Coromandel, New Zealand.
New Zealand Fauna
New Zealand is a land of unique birds. The best known is the flightless Kiwi, New Zealand 's unofficial national symbol. Also flightless are the weka and endangered kakapo, the world's largest parrot. Another unique bird, one capable of flight, is the inquisitive kea (native New Zealand alpine parrot), which is renowned for its fearlessness of humans and cheeky personality.
New Zealand Natural Heritage
What makes New Zealand's natural heritage so special?
Underlying the physical attractions of New Zealand - its dramatic mountains, unpolluted beaches and green countryside - is an epic survival story of unique plants and animals. Cast adrift from the ancient supercontinent of Gondwanaland, these ancient species evolved in isolation and struggled to survive in what David Bellamy has called ‘Moa's Ark’ (named after the native New Zealand, extinc, giant flightless bird, the Moa).
After only 1000 years of human settlement New Zealand has lost many native species. But impressive gains have been made in recent times to protect and enhance what is left. These include removing introduced pests from island wildlife sanctuaries, the establishment of 13 national parks, three maritime parks, two world heritage areas, hundreds of nature reserves and ecological areas, a network of marine reserves and wetlands and protection for special rivers and lakes. In total, around 30 percent of New Zealand 's land area is protected conservation land.
New Zealand welcomes everyone to experience and discover its unique and precious natural heritage. We ask only that you make as little impact as possible, so future generations may enjoy New Zealand as we do.
