New Zealand

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Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand

Introducing New Zealand

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There’s a reason the sun shines on New Zealand before anywhere else – every new day in Aotearoa is something to cherish! Small, remote and thinly populated, yes, but NZ punches well above its weight with its outlandish scenery, fabulous festivals, superb food and wine, and magical outdoor experiences. Equally impressive is NZ’s potent, mainstream Maori culture. This is a country that recognises and celebrates its indigenous people – the world is a kinder, gentler, more respectful place down here! And while the fanfare surrounding the Lord of the Rings trilogy is waning, visiting the real-life Middle-earth still has a geeky allure - LOTR director Peter Jackson's filmmaking prowess still holds Wellington (aka ‘Wellywood’) in its thrall.

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On the broader arts front, Kiwi live music remains brilliant (dub, hip-hop, reggae and rock), while NZ radio remains abysmal. Culturally, debate rages between anti- and pro-arts lobbies: one side would rather chew their arms off than see another art gallery open; the other sees cultural celebration as the future for both community and tourism. How does NZ forge its cultural identity? What role do the arts play? Do cultural attractions lure the tourists? From our perspective, they most certainly do!

And then of course there’s the national obsession – rugby. 2011 will go down as the year that New Zealand, at last, fulfilled their potential by winning the Rugby World Cup. The All Blacks may have sneaked across the line with a nerve-jangling 8-7 win over traditional party-poopers France, but the scenes of mass jubilation that broke out across the country at the final whistle showed that it was the result that really mattered. Now New Zealand have broken their fast it'll take a mighty challenge to wrench it from their grip.

The national real estate boom continues to mesmerise sellers and infuriate buyers. Rising house prices have stabilized with rising interest rates, but wages have failed to keep up: Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington are among the world’s most expensive cities in terms of housing affordability (relative to income).

Other topics on local tongues include fixed-net fishing endangering dolphins, vexatious treaty settlements, and didymo (aka ‘rock snot’) infestation in rivers and lakes. And don’t get anyone started on petrol prices...

That’s contemporary NZ in a nutshell! You’re in for an awesome trip. Back home on the couch, your memories will drift from rampaging outdoor activities to world-class food, wine and beer (oh, especially the wine and beer), and chilled-out locals. But your most sparkling recollections will come courtesy of NZ’s natural splendour – there are few countries on this lonely planet as diverse, unspoiled and utterly, utterly photogenic.

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Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. Cooldsunshine avatar
    1 month Clerkship + 3 weeks solo travel in SE Asia : Thailand or Vietnam?!

    by Cooldsunshine 16 May 2012

    Hello! So I'm doing a clerkship in July 2013 for a month and then I'll have a 2-3 weeks holiday. I was planning on doing it either in…
  2. Cooldsunshine avatar
    Which country to choose for 3 weeks solo travel???

    by Cooldsunshine 16 May 2012

    Hi all! So next summer I'll be doing a medical clerkship next summer and I was thinking of doing it in a South American country. I'd…
  3. ger_power avatar
    RE: Another RTW Itinerary ...

    by ger_power 16 May 2012

    i think you are way off with your budget estimates......taking a conservative £1500 off for flights visa and preparation costs leaves…

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