these temperatures are the norm, the weather in New Zealand can change unexpectedly as cold fronts or tropical cyclones quickly blow in. Because of this, you should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and temperature, particularly if you’re going hiking or doing other outdoor activities.
From luxury hotels to stylish country lodges and friendly backpackers hostels, New Zealand offers you a range of accommodation choices for every budget. Privately owned holiday villas are also available for rental, some even long-term lets for those wishing to take a long break and explore the country.
New Zealand offers a huge variety of shopping from arts and craft markets, galleries and museum shops to exclusive designer stores. For traditional New Zealand souvenirs look for examples of superb Maori carvings in wood, bone and pounamu (greenstone or jade). You can also find jewellery and ornaments made from the iridescent paua shell (abalone), treasured by Maori for centuries.
New Zealand potters are recognised as among the world's finest and today many fine artisans are also working in stone, wood, glass and metals. The country's vast wool industry makes it possible to find wonderful handknitted wool sweaters, beautiful wall hangings, homespun yarns and top-quality sheepskins.
Alongside top international fashion in boutique stores in the main city areas, you will also find New Zealand's own award-winning fashion labels, including Zambesi, NomD, Karen Walker and World.
New Zealand's 'Pacific Rim' cuisine style takes its inspiration from regions and countries such as Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Polynesia, Japan and Vietnam. This unique blend of influences has created a mouth-watering range of flavours and food available from cafes and restaurants nationwide. For dishes that have a distinctly New Zealand style look out for lamb, pork and venison; salmon, crayfish, Bluff oysters, paua (abalone), mussels and scallops; kumara (sweet potato); kiwifruit and tamarillo; and pavlova, our national dessert, made from meringue and lashings of fresh whipped cream topped with fresh fruit or berries.
While the main centres support a few elegant, silver-service restaurants, the trend is towards more relaxed cafe-bar dining. There is a wide variety of international food available including Japanese, Indian, Halal, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Malaysian, and Thai. There are more than 900 Asian restaurants throughout New Zealand. While you are in New Zealand, take the opportunity to discover more about New Zealand wines. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc is particularly good in New Zealand and have achieved an reputation internationally for their excellence. Red wines are not far behind either!
