New Zealand

The other "land Down Under" is lots smaller than neighbor Australia yet packs in a boggling amount of beauty and adventure in its two main islands and various other smaller ones - along with Maori culture and a touch of urban cosmopolitanism in cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. And of course let's not forget Hobbiton!

Cover photo: Darren Puttock

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Hobbiton in " 5 of the World's Best Theme Parks Without Rides"

Tom Hall The Hobbiton Movie Set is a near-perfect example of ride-free world-building was constructed in 1999 as a temporary film set for The Lord of the Rings, then later rebuilt and expanded for The Hobbit movies (you´ll recall that director Peter Jackson lives and works in New Zealand). Subsequently preserved as a permanent, walkable environment it´s spread across roughly 12 acres of rolling farmland in the North Island town of Waikato and feels less like a tourist attraction and more like a…

Started by Max Pesling

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The top 7 of New Zealand´s must-try foods

Lesser known than its stunning landscapes, New Zealand's culinary landscape offers a delectable fusion of flavors that reflect its rich cultural heritage and bountiful natural resources. From succulent seafood to hearty meat dishes, the country's gastronomic offerings are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Join us on a mouthwatering journey as we explore seven must-try foods in New Zealand that are bound to leave you craving more, from traditional Maori specialties to modern Kiwi classics: read…

Started by Tripatini

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Top 7 cool things to do in Auckland

If you are planning a holiday visit to the New Zealand's biggest urban area, you can be sure of dozens of activities to make your visit a memorable one. Here we have put together seven of the most exciting things to do and places to see when you visit Auckland. read post

Started by Tripatini

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Hawke's Bay, North Island cited in '7 Gorgeous Glamping Destinations'

How beautiful to imagine yourself in a camp locates in a glorious camp surrounded by beautiful environs. Singing and romancing on cold nights sitting around the fireside, staring on the stars in silent surroundings listening to the sounds of little creatures, basking on the lavish mattress, all that makes you dream to discover what camping in the glorious destinations of the world means. Morocco was the first place where I got the idea to experience the difference of international "glamping" -…

Started by Tripatini

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Paul Varmuza April 7, 2026 at 10:31pm

I sure love me some hot springs! https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/23/like-an-indiana-jones...

‘Like an Indiana Jones adventure’: the joys of New Zealand’s hot springs | New Zealand | The Guardi…

Rotorua and Taupō in northern New Zealand are home to geothermal pools that can heat up to 90C
José Balido April 6, 2026 at 12:49pm

Kia ora! Traveling with an emphasis on Maori history and culture: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/a-journey-through-new-zealands-les...

A Journey Through New Zealand’s Less-Visited Corners Showcases Māori History and Kiwi Innovation

A writer travels the less-explored regions of the country where she was raised to discover the Indigenous traditions and contemporary Kiwi thinking t…
María José December 26, 2025 at 8:47am

Wow, of all the hundreds of skiing options out there, BBC Travel chose Queenstown as one of just a half dozen of its top choices (for Northern Hemisphere summer, of course)! https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20251218-the-six-best-places-to-...

The six best places to ski in 2026

From Italian Winter Olympic buzz to brand-new wellness retreats in the Canadian Rockies, these six ski areas are trending for 2026.
Ed Wetschler December 24, 2025 at 3:01pm

It´s nice to see them bouncing back - sounds like very much worth a visit! https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/24/christchurch-new-zeal...

After more than a decade of tragedy, Christchurch emerges as New Zealand’s most ‘vibrant city’ | Ne…

Christchurch now at the centre of the country’s fastest-growing region as lower house prices, job prospects and thriving cultural scene entice people…
Maria de los Angeles August 21, 2025 at 11:58am

A pretty good "compare and contrast" of the North and South Islands, worth a read: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/north-versus-south-island-new...

North Island vs South Island: Deciding which to see in New Zealand

Two writers pitch their favorite New Zealand spots – North and South Island – and the natural landscape and Indigenous culture that make each special.
Jorge Carlos Tejada Sobrino December 24, 2024 at 12:17pm

Find out why Taupo on the North Island and the Subantarctic Islands made Condé Nast Traveler´s list of to spots to hit in Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific in the coming year: https://www.cntraveler.com/story/best-places-to-go-in-australia-new...

The Best Places to Go in Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific in 2025

For stargazing cruises, food festivals, and reef-side villas.
John Kipper May 9, 2023 at 11:25am

Here's a cool account of a visit to Hobbiton, New Zealand's newest and already most popular tourist attraction, near Auckland, where scenes from the film adaptions of JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth novels were filmed. Beforehand she'd had her doubts, but was won over! https://www.insider.com/visiting-new-zealand-hobbiton-movie-set-lor...

I've never seen 'The Lord of the Rings' but went to the New Zealand set where it was filmed. It's o…

Insider's author saw the New Zealand movie set where "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" were filmed and thought no tourist should miss it.
David Paul Appell March 6, 2023 at 2:48pm

Last year I posted a comment here about NZ ranked in the top ten of “expat” favorites according to an HSBC Bank survey. Then lo and beyond, I read about another survey, from Internations, ranking it as one of the very worst (read why at the link). What to believe? https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/14/100-pure-rip-off-new-...

100% pure rip-off? New Zealand voted second-worst place to move to

Cost of living too high and pay too low, say survey respondents, though natural environment, climate and sporting life are appreciated
Jordan Simon January 8, 2023 at 12:40pm

Here's a great look at the highlights of the North Island from the Aussie travel site Escape.com/au: https://www.escape.com.au/travel-advice/doc-holiday-what-can-we-do-...
Max Pesling April 4, 2022 at 12:41pm

After two years of no international visitors, New Zealand originally hadn't planned to reopen to international travelers from more than 50 visa-waiver countries - without any quarantine measures - in October, but has now moved that up considerably, to May 1: https://www.afar.com/magazine/new-zealand-to-welcome-the-world-back...

New Zealand Will Reopen to Vaccinated U.S. Travelers Earlier Than First Planned

After two years of no international visitors, New Zealand will reopen to travelers from visa waiver countries, beginning May 1, with no quarantine me…