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| Port Overview |
| New Zealand is a modern, well-developed country in the southernmost South Pacific. Its residents sound like Aussies, and for good reason. The country is a short flight from Australia, the largest island in the world, and is actually an independent member of the British Commonwealth with a government structure based on British parliament. They, however, consider themselves a bit more conservative and reserved than the brazen Aussies!
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Kiwis: More than FruitThe Maori, New Zealand’s first settlers, named the kiwi bird for the sound it makes when it chirps. New Zealanders have made this fuzzy, flightless bird their national symbol and so the people, currency, and culture are often referred to as Kiwi. But the furry fruit is grown here too.
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| | Comprised of two main islands – North Island and South Island – and many small islands, New Zealand offers travelers a great escape. Forests, deserted beaches, fjords, in addition to flora and fauna that you won’t see in most other places, cover nearly one-quarter of the islands. The country’s landscape makes for great hiking, swimming with dolphins, sailing, cycling, kayaking, whale watching ... even bungee jumping – a New Zealand favorite.
A remote country, located over 1,000 miles from Southeast Australia, New Zealand could once be considered the largest country in the South Pacific. The Polynesian navigator Kupe originally discovered the country in AD 950, and centuries later thousands of people from his homeland, Hawaiki (modern day Tahiti), migrated here. Somewhere in between, Britain began colonizing the world; it set its sights on the country, believing it was part of Australia. The British annexed the country in 1840, and New Zealand’s relationship with the United Kingdom has taken many shapes over the last two centuries. The country became fully independent in 1947, but remains a British Commonwealth nation.
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| Visitors to New Zealand will find a host of sights and attractions. The country has 13 national parks, three maritime parks, and two world heritage areas. Natural wonders are spilling over from the country’s two major islands, many of which are best seen from the ocean (for instance, the railing of your ship or your private balcony?).
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 | | Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand with the world’s highest concentration of Polynesians, is almost completely enclosed by water and has a skyline almost as famous as Sydney’s (at least in this part of the world). An international city with modern conveniences, Auckland is full of things to do and sights to see. Visit the Auckland Museum, which houses a display of Maori artifacts and culture, and Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World & Antarctic Encounter, an ocean exploration center.
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| In and around Auckland you can browse boutiques for native artifacts and art shaped with wood, stone, shell and bone. Sample the city’s international cuisine or stick with local favorites like seafood, venison, lamb, or Hangi – a Maori favorite that includes a mixture of sweet potatoes, lamb, wild game, and beef cooked under the earth. And don’t forget to finish off your meal with some kiwifruit, originally the Chinese gooseberry until New Zealand adopted it as their own.
Visit New Zealand and be prepared to be impressed with the Kiwis and their country. | |
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