New Zealand (in English: New Zealand, in Maori: Aotearoa) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean formed by two main land masses (commonly called North Island and South Island) and numerous smaller islands, most notably the Stewart and Chatham Islands. The Indian name in the Maori language for New Zealand is Aotearoa, usually translated as "The Land of the Great White Cloud". New Zealand's domains also include the Cook Islands and Niue (which self-govern but in free association); Tokelau; and the Ross Dependency (New Zealand territorial claim in Antarctica).

New Zealand is notable for its geographic isolation: it is situated about 2 000 km southeast of Australia, separated by the Tasman Sea and its closest neighbors to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga. Due to its isolation, the country developed a distinct fauna dominated by birds, some of which were extinct after the arrival of humans and mammals introduced by them. The majority of the population of New Zealand is of European descent (67.6%), mainly British, while the Maori natives or their descendants are a minority (14.6%). Asian and non-Māori Polynesians are also significant minority groups (16.1%), 6 especially in urban areas. The most spoken language is English, brought by British settlers, although native languages, such as the Māori language, are also considered official languages.

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English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language

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New Zealand Dollar

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New Zealand customs authorities are keen to try to keep the country free of pests and diseases that affect plants, animals and human health and are therefore monitoring strict compliance with the rules on the temporary importation of agricultural and timber products which are inspected, treated and, if necessary, confiscated and destroyed. Visitors must complete a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry upon arrival. As a result of quarantine procedures, travelers may experience delays upon arrival.

Passport holders from European Union countries do not require a visa for entry for tourist stays of up to 3 months, provided they meet the following requirements:
- passport valid for at least 3 months after the expected date of departure from New Zealand;
- possession of a return air ticket to the country of origin or another destination, where it is allowed to enter;
- proof of sufficient financial means to cover the costs of your stay (around 1000 NZD per person per month).

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The 29 regions of New Zealand extend for more than 1,600 kilometers on the two main islands.
Each destination is unique, and as the country is very compact, you can visit various regions on your trip.

New Zealand offers many things to do. The hardest part of planning your vacation will be deciding what to do first!
Exploring the magnificent scenery and coastline of New Zealand is for many the main tour. If the adventure is to your liking, there is an extensive list of exciting activities to make blood run through the veins. But if you're looking for a relaxing getaway, heated pools, wineries and cultural attractions will fill the bill.

These are just some of the things to do in New Zealand.

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The natives, Maoris, basically extracted their food from the land. They were great hunters and gatherers, and they fed on birds, fish and roots and wild herbs. Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese among other Asians, came to the country with a new cuisine, to be mixed with local food. The mixture of cultures and culinary innovations transformed the gastronomy of the country.

Today the production and export of food is one of the largest sources of income in the country. After the world knows this gastronomy, the number of tourists in search of these typical dishes does not stop increasing. The country is situated on the world gastronomic scene with a great reputation.

The native cuisine gains contemporary touches in the hands of some chefs. Wine production in the country has also attracted many stakeholders. Organic products are sought after by people who prefer to eat more natural foods to lead a healthier life.

And this has become a major market, since nowadays they focus much more on producing more original and sophisticated foods than producing on a large scale and from various sources of food. The tourist finds practically everything, from the gourmet restaurants to the simpler ones, besides good street food and fast foods.

In the summer you can enjoy barbecues and alfresco lunches, and delicious meats, or wines, seafood, sweets and dishes with fruits and salads, all very fresh and tasty. The inhabitants like to grow food. In homes or apartments, there is great pleasure in growing gardens.

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The weather in New Zealand is reasonable, and taking out the winter the rest of the year is quite moderate and even enjoyable, with summer being the closest thing to a tropical climate. A tip ... "It's always good to have a jacket on hand or in the trunk of the car, because suddenly the warm can turn into ice." The best time to travel to New Zealand would be between the middle of October until Christmas Eve. The worst would be between June, July and August, because if the winter is of the strict type, many roads may be covered with snow and interdicted (unless your goal is to ski).

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The safety conditions are satisfactory. The vast majority of visits to New Zealand occur without problems and the level of crime is low, with violent crimes being rare.
 
However foreign visitors may be victims of pickpockets and "stolen robbery," especially at airports, as well as car robbery, notably in well-known tourist areas. Travelers should note that petty crime, robbery and vehicle robbery can occur, especially in large cities, so customary precautions, especially at night, are advised to avoid creating opportunities in this regard. Special care should be given to personal items, luggage, backpacks, and travel documents, and precautions should be taken with ATM operations.

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There are no prevention measures to consider for the country in general. It is advisable to carry out health insurance covering the entire holiday period in New Zealand, since the provision of health services, while good, is expensive and, as a rule, payment in advance is required.

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Mobile Phones
The use of mobile devices can be used if roaming is enabled, however, paying attention to very high roaming charges.

Internet
The country is well served by internet services in the main cities, there are several cybers-cafes with high-speed connections.
In case you have a laptop or notebook, there are some cafes that offer the free wi-fi connection.

Electricity
The electricity is 220 / 240Volts 50Hz.
It is advisable to have an adapter kit for the sockets.

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