| New Zealand's wild, elemental beauty made it the | | | | attractive city with a splendid harbour and terraced |
| perfect locale for filming Lord of the Rings. For this is a | | | | hills.transport:getting there and getting around |
| raw land of sheer mountains, icy glaciers, swift flowing | | | | Air New Zealand offer direct domestic flights between |
| rivers and geysers that spout from the hot earth. | | | | Wellington airport and most major centres, including |
| Auckland:city of sails | | | | Auckland, Christchurch |
| New Zealand's largest city, Auckland sprawls | | | | Regular ferry services connect Wellington with Picton |
| scenically around a range of inlets and bays. Lapped | | | | on the South Island. |
| by the waters of the Pacific, Auckland has a distinct | | | | Wellington is an important junction for bus travel, with |
| seafaring air to it.transport:getting there and getting | | | | buses north to Auckland and all major towns in |
| around | | | | between. Wellington has a train station, an efficient |
| Auckland is New Zealand's centre for international | | | | local bus system, many car-hire companies, and taxi |
| flights. You can take direct flights from here to all | | | | services.climate: |
| Australian airports, the US west coast, many Asian | | | | Wellington's coastal location gives it the reputation for |
| destinations, and London and Frankfurt. There are also | | | | being windy. |
| a wide range of domestic flights. | | | | Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts |
| Regular bus services connect Auckland with major | | | | Check on the internet for the range, location and cost |
| towns and tourist attractions. And there are morning | | | | of Wellington hotelsevents |
| and overnight trains to Wellington daily. | | | | As the nation's capital, Wellington is the centre for a |
| Auckland is a sprawling city so walking is not | | | | host of cultural and sporting events |
| convenient. Car hire or cycling are the most convenient | | | | * Wellington Cup Week in January features racing, live |
| ways to get around.climate | | | | music, fashion in the field, celebrity judges. |
| Auckland's coastal location keep temperatures lower | | | | *February New Zealand International Arts Festival |
| than the in the hinterlands. Temperatures hover in the | | | | *New Zealand Festival (Biennial) |
| mid-20°s in summer and it rarely freezes in | | | | October is a busy month with Wellington Fashion |
| winter.accommodation: from cheap stays to luxury | | | | Festival and Wellington International Jazz Festival. |
| resorts | | | | Christchurch:springboard into nature |
| Check on the internet for the range, location and cost | | | | The South Island's largest city, Christchurch is |
| of Auckland Hotels | | | | traditionally a springboard for forays into the nearby |
| Events | | | | mountains, plains, beaches and lakes. However, |
| Summer is the time when Auckland comes to life | | | | Christchurch has many attractions of its own to |
| though there's something happening all year round. | | | | offer.transport:getting there and getting around |
| *In January there are the Open Tennis Championships. | | | | Christchurch is the main international gateway to the |
| *Also in January is the Auckland Anniversary Day | | | | South Island. Flights connect with Australia and a few |
| Regatta, commemorating the arrival of Captain | | | | other countries. The airport is about seven miles from |
| Hobson in New Zealand. | | | | the city centre. There are also trains and a cheap and |
| *Pasifika Festival in March celebrates Polynesian | | | | efficient bus service.accommodation: from cheap |
| culture through music and performances at Western | | | | stays to luxury resorts |
| Springs. | | | | Check on the internet for the range, location and cost |
| *Ellerslie Flower Show at the Botanic Gardens in | | | | of Christchurch hotelsevents: |
| November showcases the city's blooms | | | | *February Christchurch Festival of Flowers - an |
| *The Auckland Cup is held at Ellerslie Race Course | | | | international floral celebration in the garden city. |
| December. | | | | *August Christchurch International Jazz Festival - a |
| Wellington | | | | celebration of jazz, wine and food featuring |
| As New Zealand's capital, Wellington is home to the | | | | international and local talent. |
| imposing administrative buildings of government. It's an | | | | |