Sights in New Zealand
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Tamaki Maori Village
The Chronicles of Uitara performance at the Tamaki Maori Village brings to life early interaction between Maori and European settlers. The evening is set in a recreated Maori village, and concludes with a traditional hangi (Maori feast).
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Mt Victoria
Mt Victoria was a Maori pa and is still a fortress of sorts, with the navy maintaining a presence.
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Wind Wand
The wonderfully eccentric Wind Wand, in Puke Ariki Landing, was designed by Len Lye – the artist who has put this town on the map in modern times.This 45m-high kooky kinetic sculpture is a truly beloved icon of bendy poleness.
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Sheepworld
NZ's answer to Disneyland, Sheepworld showcases all things sheepish. Watch working dogs round 'em up on this small farm before feeding the eels in the lake and visiting the gift shop: beauty creme infused with sheep's placenta and 23-carat gold flakes anyone?
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ArtsPost
ArtsPost, near the Waikato Museum, is a contemporary gallery and gift shop housed in a grand, former post office. It focuses on the best of local art: paintings, glass, prints, textiles and photography. Check out the awesome floorboards.
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Lyttelton Museum
This Museum has interesting maritime exhibits such as wreck-recovered artefacts and ship models, plus Lyttelton memorabilia including a 19th-century pipe organ and an Antarctic gallery (both Scott and Shackleton used the port as a base).
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Sarjeant Gallery
The elegant neoclassical Sarjeant Gallery covers the bases from historic to contemporary with its extensive permanent art exhibition and frequent special exhibits (including glass from the annual Wanganui Festival of Glass). What a lovely place!
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Matiu-Somes Island
In the middle of Wellington harbour, Matiu Somes is a DOC-managed reserve where you might see weta, tuatara, kakariki and little blue penguins, among other critters. The island is rich in history, having once been a prisoner-of-war camp and quarantine station. Take a picnic lunch, or even stay overnight in the campsite (adult/child $10/5) or in the DOC house – book online at www.doc.govt.nz or at Wellington’s DOC visitor centre. It’s a 20- to 30-minute chug across the harbour. There are 16 sailings on weekdays, eight on Saturday and Sunday (return fare adult/child $22/11.50).
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Nelson Provincial Museum
This modern museum space is filled with cultural heritage and natural history exhibits with a regional bias, as well as regular touring exhibitions (admission price varies). It also features a great rooftop garden.
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Stardome Observatory
Near the excellent children’s playground, this observatory offers regular stargazing and planetarium shows that aren’t dependent on Auckland’s fickle weather (usually 8pm Wednesday to Sunday; phone ahead).
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Haratu
Run by the local marae society, Haratu brings authentic Maori art and craft to the Russell waterfront, most of which is available for purchase. There are also audiovisual displays and information boards.
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Maiki
Overlooking Russell, this is the hill where Hone Heke chopped down the flagpole four times. You can drive up but the view justifies a climb. Take the track west from the boat ramp along the beach at low tide, or up Wellington St otherwise.
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Wintergarden
The Wintergarden, with its fernery, tropical house, cool house, cute cat statue and neighbouring cafe, is in the Auckland Domain which contains sports fields, interesting sculpture, formal gardens and wild corners.
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Bearded Mining Company
Looking like a ZZ Top tribute band, the fellers hangin' at this high-street mining hut are champing at the bit to rollick your socks off with tales tall and true. If you're lucky you'll get a cuppa from the billy.
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City Gallery
In town, the City Gallery showcases talent from NZ’s south, including sculpture, photography and paintings (most of which are for sale). If you’ve been travelling in the South Island, you’ll definitely recognise some scenes.
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Chronicle Glass Studio
The pick of Whanganui’s many glass studios is the Chronicle Glass Studio where you can watch glass-blowers working, check out the gallery, take a weekend glass-blowing course ($375) or a one-hour ‘Make a Paperweight’ lesson ($100), or just hang out and warm up on a chilly afternoon.
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Otari-Wilton’s Bush
About 3km west of the city is Otari-Wilton’s Bush, the only botanic gardens in NZ specialising in native flora. There are more than 1200 plant species here, including some of the city's oldest trees, as well as 11km of walking trails and delightful picnic areas. Bus 14 from the city passes the gates.
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Rapaura Water Gardens
At Tapu it’s worth turning inland for a mainly sealed 6km drive to the Rapaura Water Gardens, a marriage of water, greenery, sculpture and platitudes. There’s accommodation on-site (cottage/lodge $165/275) and a well regarded cafe (mains $14 to $29).
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National Tattoo Museum
The National Tattoo Museum has thousands of examples of tattoo art on show, including Maori moko (facial tattoos), traditional and contemporary tools, and a tattoo studio in case the urge strikes. For dedicated ink-lovers only.
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Bluff Maritime Museum
Kids will enjoy the small Bluff Maritime Museum and clambering over a century-old oyster boat, while steam nerds will love the big old 600hp steam engine. Interesting displays on Bluff’s history complete the exhibition.
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Höglund Glass Art
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Taieri Gorge Railway
With narrow tunnels, deep gorges, winding tracks, rugged canyons and more than a dozen stone and wrought-iron viaduct crossings (up to 50m high), the scenic Taieri Gorge Railway consistently rates highly with visitors.
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Wrinkly Rams
Wrinkly Rams does 30-minute stage shows of merino sheep being shorn using both modern and traditional methods, along with a sheepdog show. A barbecue lunch is included. Phone ahead to tag along with a tour group, or book your own one-off show. Attached is one of the town’s better restaurants.
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Lake District Museum & Gallery
Exhibits on the gold-rush era and the early days of Chinese settlement around Arrowtown. Younger travellers will enjoy the Museum Fun Pack ($5), which includes activity sheets, museum treasure hunts, stickers and a few flecks of gold.
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Archives New Zealand
The Archives New Zealand is the official guardian of NZ’s heritage documents. Inside are gallery displays of significant national treasures, including the original Treaty of Waitangi (p), NZ’s founding document.
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