Car Hire New Zealand

New Zealand is often translated in Maori as ‘island of the long white cloud.’ It has diverse natural beauty with richest of flora and unique fauna, like the kiwi bird– the national symbol of the country. The Maori culture is important to understand, both in history and present times and its influence can be seen all over New Zealand. North and South Island are easily accessible by air and are especially popular for adventure sports and especially rugby as well as visitors wishing to take a road trip of the islands.

On North Island, you will find the largest city Auckland, the city of sails and the most densely populated area of New Zealand. Here you can find lots of culture in the art museums and galleries and you will see one of the most famous sights, the Sky Tower. Hamilton is more known for its unusual gardens and attracts visitors who want to take part in mountain sports. Nearby is also Matamata, famous for being a film location for ‘Lord of the Rings’. To discover more about Maori culture, Rotorua is a good place to start and you should also see the geysers and hot springs. The town of Napier has its own distinct art deco style and is famous for its wine growing region and golf courses. Nearby is Hawkes Bay, a beautiful area with lots of wildlife and a history of wine making. When on North Island, you cannot miss the capital of Wellington – known as the windy city due to its location. A must visit is the Te Papa Museum that celebrates the history of New Zealand and also the Maori culture.

On South Island, you can visit the city of Christchurch with its very English feel and cathedral and museums. It is also the gateway to Antarctica too and you can find out more at the Antarctica Attraction close to the airport. Queenstown is a popular destination for tourists and is known as the adventure capital of the world and the beautiful glaciers of Milford Sound. The Southern Alps in Mackenzie County are a must see as well as the Cook Glaciers in Westland National Park. The Otago Peninsula is a great place to see wildlife such as seals and penguins in their natural habitat. Nearby is the town of Dunedin which really is another version of Edinburgh, Scotland.