As travel professionals, you know how important it is to make sure people get a friendly welcome, a great time, and something very special that they can’t get anywhere else in the world.
Hon. John Key
Prime Minister and
Minister of Tourism
Human Kiwi Population Approximately 4.4 million Kiwi Bird Population Approximately 70,000 Land Area 268,000 km² Ocean Area 4 million km² (Exclusive Economic Zone) Median Weekly Income NZ$538 Number Of National Parks 14 Area Protected In National Parks 30,850 km² (11.5% of total land area) Oldest National Park Tongariro National Park, established in 1887 Tallest Mountain Aoraki Mount Cook at 3,744 m Climate Though free of major extremes, the weather can be changeable. www.metservice.co.nz Holidays Confirmed bookings for accommodation and transport are essential during holidays. For school holiday dates, see the Ministry of Education. Qualmark Official Quality Mark
New Zealand tourism’s official quality agency rates providers on a star grading system. www.qualmark.co.nz Visitor Information Network i-SITE Visitor Information Centres are located in most towns and popular destinations. www.i-site.org.nz Arrival Information Visitors must fill in an Arrival Declaration Card; failure to declare prohibited items may result in a fine. Experiencing Maori Culture Book clients on a guided tour or suggest unique activities such as visiting a marae (meeting place) and watching kapa haka (performance art). Visiting National Parks A must-see for visitors wanting to view amazing scenery. Crossing Cook Strait Air transfers are a high-speed option to travel between New Zealand’s North and South Islands, but there are also two ferry operators to transport both passengers and vehicles across Cook Strait. Rugby World Cup 2011 A total of 85,000 international visitors are expected to come to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup 2011.
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Why New Zealand?
Ask someone what springs to mind when they think of New Zealand and many will answer: incredible scenery. Films such as The Lord of the Rings have sparked the imagination of the world’s travellers, who have caught onto the fact that New Zealand is a place to experience a back-to-nature experience that is simply beyond compare.
Others will answer: the All Blacks, quickly followed by the haka that team members perform in a stirring and much-loved ritual before the start of international test matches. Certainly, rugby is an important aspect of the New Zealand psyche (never more so than this year, with the Rugby World Cup occurring in September and October), but Maori culture is a unique-in-the-world drawcard with rich traditions that encompass stirring performances, stunning carved traditional buildings and waka (canoes), and a fascinating indigenous insight into New Zealand’s precious landscapes and wildlife.
New Zealand has been welcoming the world for many, many decades – in the 19th Century, the Maori people gained a reputation as particularly hospitable hosts – and its people know how to ensure visitors enjoy an unforgettable experience. From author Zane Grey’s books about the thrill of big game fishing in the Bay of Islands to Rudyard Kipling’s declaration that Milford Sound is the ‘eighth wonder of the world’, from A.J. Hackett and Henry van Asch putting Queenstown on the map as the ‘adventure capital of the world’ when they established the world’s first commercial bungy operation in 1988 to Sir Peter Jackson’s insistence on filming the world’s biggest films – The Lord of the Rings trilogy and now The Hobbit – in the unparalleled natural landscapes of New Zealand, this is a place that inspires, excites and reinvigorates.
No wonder Tourism New Zealand has launched a ‘Life Back Promise’ campaign in the United States – a response to research showing that 98% of US travellers to New Zealand were highly satisfied and many of them described their visit as a rejuvenating and life-altering experience.
Highlights
From the ultimate adventure to utmost luxury, your clients will discover a world of highlights to live, breathe and experience in New Zealand.
Incredible landscapes Made famous by The Lord of the Rings, New Zealand’s spectacular landscapes span rugged mountains and forest-cloaked valleys, exquisite turquoise lakes and golden beaches. 
Flight-seeing by helicopter or fixed-wing plane.
Remarkable wildlife
In New Zealand, visitors can see and interact with a range of wildlife, from giant whales and magnificent seabirds to unique forest bird species that exist nowhere else on earth. Swimming with dolphins on a boat cruise.
Adventure activities
New Zealand has a big reputation for adventure activities from ‘soft adventures’ like kayaking and hiking to extreme thrills such as bungy jumping, black-water rafting or globe riding. Challenging personal limits with a bungy jump.
Indulgent relaxation
There is an abundance of hot mineral pools in New Zealand – many of them offering on-site day spas – and boutique lodges in remote settings are a local speciality for those seeking the ultimate in luxurious accommodation. Enjoying an indulgent soak in a hot pool.
Sophisticated society
Although famous for its untouched wilderness areas, New Zealand is a modern, sophisticated and urban society that is open-minded, innovative and represents a melting pot of different cultures. Spending time exploring the nation’s cities.
Friendly locals
Visitors to New Zealand will enjoy a genuine Kiwi welcome from people renowned worldwide for their honesty, candour and friendliness. Time and again visitors list this as a major highlight. Bonding with new friends in a country pub.
Fascinating culture
New Zealand’s Maori culture is unique in the world and it is very accessible to any visitor. Learning Maori traditions is an unforgettable way to experience a slice of New Zealand culture. Visiting a marae and tasting a traditional hangi.
Tantalising cuisine
Visitors who appreciate fine food are in for a welcome surprise. New Zealand offers the freshest produce from land and sea, prepared by creative chefs and accompanied with premium New Zealand wine. Enjoying lunch – and fine wine! – at a vineyard.
In September and October 2011 New Zealand will host the world’s third-largest sporting event – the Rugby World Cup. Approximately 70,000 international visitors are expected to attend, meaning that it is essential to book well in advance for accommodation and transport during this period. The event will include a nationwide festival showcasing New Zealand’s entertainment, arts, cuisine and lifestyle, so even if your clients are not sports fanatics, it will be an exciting time to visit. 
New Zealand Trade Manual has been designed with travel industry professionals in mind. 
