New Zealand is Not Just for Hobbits!

New Zealand is comprised of two islands located to the southeast of Australia across the Tasman Sea; a stretch of water named after Abel Janzsoon Tasman. The Maoris who lived there for hundreds of years did not welcome Tasman and his crew as they came ashore in 1642. Until their arrival, New Zealand was isolated from the rest of the world. The Maoris killed most of Tasman’s crew; however others survived to tell the world all about the inhabitants on the island.

Maoris are the rightful inhabitants of New Zealand

James Cook, a British explorer, landed on the island and mapped the land in 1769. As word about the islands spread, North American and European whaling ships began to sail to New Zealand in search of whales and seals.  Eventually, trading ships began trading with the Maoris. New Zealand became a dominion of Britain and today has a government patterned after the English model.

New Zealand is based on the British London model

New Zealand was recognized as an independent nation in 1947, and has made great strides in becoming one of the top ten tourism nations of the world. There are two distinct groups of inhabitants in New Zealand today, the brown Maoris and the white Pakehas. New Zealand has special legislation and courts for the Maoris who make up about 10% of the total population of 3.5+ million.

Can’t mention New Zealand without talking about Flight Of The Conchords and Lord of the Rings

Like many countries of the world, New Zealand is struggling due to the country’s devalued dollar. Tourism New Zealand is focusing their marketing dollars on several areas including Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and China. Despite the worldwide slumping economies, tourism estimates suggest that more than 900 million people will continue to travel to tourist spots around the world this year. Tourism New Zealand continues to run television commercials hoping to gain their share of the tourism dollar.

Wonderful scenery, a New Zealand staple

Lowered airfares to Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin Airports open the way to an exciting and interesting vacation to New Zealand. In addition to these international airports, domestic airports offer accessibility from Kaitata on the northern shore of New Zealand to Stewart Island on the southern shore.

Tourists on a holiday break to New Zealand soon discover a unique and fascinating country, which is not just for hobbits. Although New Zealand is the youngest country of the world, it is a respected player in the field of tourism and can back up its claim as an exciting and beautiful country.

Not what you think when you think of New Zealand…

The terrain of New Zealand is mountainous and includes large coastal plains where the highest point is Mount Cook. New Zealand is a country with snowy mountains providing great ski slopes, active volcanoes, crater lakes and wonderful beaches. Although the climate is mild and most days are sunny, rain sometimes interferes with outdoor plans. The rain and sun contribute equally to the natural beauty of spring and fall. The unique plant and wildlife native only to New Zealand enhance its natural landscapes. It is among the most extraordinary tourist venues on earth.

Among the interesting cultural attractions is an exploration of two distinct cultures in New Zealand, which exist side by side. The cultural activities available throughout the cities of New Zealand are many in number. Tourists learn about New Zealand’s cultural life during events highlighting the native traditions and customs of immigrants from Holland, Central Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the native Maoris.

Dutch people, living in New Zealand

Woodlyn Park in Waitomo, located about an hour from Matamata and two hours south of Auckland Island, offers unique accommodation. The Hobbit Motel is actually two hobbit holes each having space for six people. The price is about $185 for a couple and $15 for each additional adult.

The hobbit motel, nice furniture and lots of food

Other accommodation includes The Aeroplane Motel, which is one of the last aeroplanes to leave Vietnam at the end of the war. The Train Carriage Motel offers accommodation in a 1950’s railway car. Another motel is the Waitanic Ship Motel formerly a WWII Patrol Boat named Motunui.

The Motunui was built in Auckland, one of a fleet of twelve used for anti-submarine patrols in the Islands. Now a motel, the ship has a special Honeymoon Room and three other units. There are no hobbits lurking in the dark corners of these motels located on a large Kiwi farm. There is, however, a large restaurant/bar and a stage arena where Billy Black, the owner, and his partners entertain visitors

This is not the Waitanic

After a good night’s sleep you can join others helping to shear a sheep, light a fuse on one of the exploding logs, join a log sawing team or just watch the sheep dogs at work. You will meet a Kiwi Bear and Don Rash, the dancing pig. Followers of the Lonely Planet-The Globetrotter are familiar with Don the dancing pig and other members of the comedy group at this extremely interesting site in Waitomo.

The only other place this is more popular in is Wales

A visit to New Zealand is not complete without a stopover in Matamata to visit Hobbiten, the original movie set for the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit. Hobbiten is the Shire, in Middle Earth, in which lived Tolkien’s hobbits Bilbo Baggins, Frodo whom he adopted, Sam and other hobbits living in hobbit holes. Seventeen of the original thirty-seven hobbit holes remain intact. Hobbiten is a wonderfully picturesque farmland not unlike that seen throughout New Zealand.

Where the Hobbits live

When in New Zealand you can go skydiving, hang-gliding, deep-sea diving, snorkelling, deep-sea fishing, kayaking and swimming or sunbathing on the beaches. New Zealand is a walker’s heaven for those who sign up for one or more of the Nine Great Walks. Walkers choose according to their walking skills and ability to walk in comfort. Guides lead walkers through strange and unusual landscapes and terrains both easy and difficult to manoeuvre.

New Zealand is a hot spot for Extreme Sports

There are a wide variety of tours by bike, bus, car and boat. There are independent tours, guided tours and groups tours found in cities large and small throughout New Zealand. In the cities of New Zealand, tourists will discover museums, historical buildings, scenic tours, adventure tours and multi-activity tours.
The country of New Zealand has something for everyone. A holiday in New Zealand offers affordable prices, relaxation, sun, exercise, good food and happy memories to keep you smiling.

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