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
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…
Read more…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…
Read more…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
Read more…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" -…
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'Freedom Campers' (as they are called) are becoming a problem.
However, just maybethe problem lies in that New Zealand is not as Campervan-friendly...compared with the US and especially Australia. We did a 3 week campervan "expedition" from Alice Springs through to Darwin a few years ago and were SO impressed with the camping facilities and the dump-stations were readily available. Touring via campervan is becoming more popular in New Zealand, maybe time for us to add more facilities??
Read more on 'Freedom Camping'
eTurboNews reports that "tourists who do not dispose of waste properly or poo in public spaces are a real problem, Tourism Minister and Prime Minister John Key says....
"Some councils have also raised issues about cyclists and tourists who hired vans without toilet facilities."
I'm surprised by this, because I get that sense that outdoorsy people have gotten to be pretty good about these things. Am I off base?
Join other Gay Travellers from around the world. QGuide.com - Gay Travel as seen through the eyes (and cameras) of a Community of Gay Travellers.
Cheers,
Amanda
Fake Maori Scandal
Tour operator: Foreigners hired because real Maoris “too lazy to get out of bed”
Jan 26, 2010
Europeans and Israelis living in New Zealand were found to be posing as Maoris for a local tour operator.
Discovery Heritage Group conceded Tuesday that it had hired Europeans and Israelis to pose as Maori for passengers disembarking from ships at the port of Tauranga on New Zealand’s north island.
Maori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand.
The Maori impersonators dressed up in traditional robes and had fake Maori tattoos painted on their faces because some of the Maori are “too lazy to get out of bed,” local media quoted Terina Puriri, the director of the Discovery Heritage Group, as saying.
The group has been banned from operating at the port because of the breach of security.
Maori impersonators danced the traditional haka and asked disembarking passengers if they wished to pose for a photo with an indigenous New Zealander.
Puriri, who is Maori, was reported as saying that “some of our Maori are too slack to promote themselves ... some of our Maori are too lazy to get out of bed to do that.”
But HuiKakahu Kawe, the chairman of the local Maori tribe, was reported as saying, “We have Maori operators that are operating successfully in the tour business who do get up in the morning and do the business.”
Puriri said critics should “relax” and “stop splitting hairs,” the Associated Press reported.
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