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Useful Tips.......Emergency number Christchurch
7 Reviews The New Zealand dollar has depreciated in value over the last few years. It now lies around $1NZ=$0.49US good for all of you wanting to travel to NZ but bad for us kiwi's!! The notes were changed...
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Local People Christchurch
9 Reviews This old english method of having a bloke yelling the news pre newspaper days was trialled a few years ago as a tourism stunt - and it stuck. The Town Crier of Christchurch screams a few items of...
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Maori Christchurch
3 Reviews When you are entering into Maori cultural exhibits, the visitors must be invited in to join the community before entering. Your group must select a chief or king for the group, and then that leader...
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Driving Christchurch
2 Reviews When you drive along the Summit Road please thank all the idiots of Christchurch for being able to park on such nice carparks along the road. Those carparks have been altered attractively because car...
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Wizard Christchurch
3 Reviews Speaking to the masses, though not so often these days, is the Christchurch Wizard aka Ian Brackenbury Channell. He has actually been deemed a "living work of art" and has been doing his thing in...
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Climate Christchurch
3 Reviews The South Island is cooler than the North Island by a few degrees but on the whole NZ is known for its clean air. Average temps in winter (July) 1C – 12C Average temps in summer (January) 12C –...
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In New Zealand, it is NOT customary to tip. It is becoming increasingly common in restaurants to tip for exceptional service, or in other situations such as in hotels where staff have gone WAY above and beyond the normal standard of service, but as a general rule, its not normal to tip in NZ. You will find that many restaurants will have a jar by the exit if you do wish to tip.
In New Zealand we have the NZ Maori and NZ European (or also known as Pakeha). A traditional greeting here of the Maori is to press their nose against anothers nose which is known as a Hongi. It is often displayed at official ceremonies and when visitors arewelcomed onto a Marae (Maori Meeting place). When a person is greeted in thisfashion they are then considered part of the group and no longer a guest. I havejust looked it up on the internet and it basically means "sharing of breath."I have just shared this with Mikebond in hope that this will help him with his studies at High School of Modern Languages for Interpreters and Translators of the University of Trieste (wow)! :-)
New Zealand has two main Languages English and Maori. Both are used for everyday purposes and although not everyone in New Zealand is fluent in Maori they do know alot of words that they say without even thinking about it especially when reading names of cities such as Rotorua or townships such as Whakatane. Even Greeting a person by saying Kia Ora (Hello). Below I have added a few words that may be beneficial to the travellerHello ~ Kia OraWelcome~ Haere maiFood~ KaiDrink ~InuRoad~ huarahiStreet~ waharoaWeather~ rangiMountain~ maungaLake~ rotoSea ~ taiMan~ TangataWoman~ WahineChild~ Tamariki
This is NOT a local custom, to hang your bra on the fence as you drive by. But strangely enough the collection of discarded bras is growing here.This fence is on the Crown Range Road, Cardrona, between Queenstown and Wanaka. I guess it's something people are just compelled to do when they see the array already hanging there.I have seen at Wanaka a fence made of bikes, and there used to be a fence with boots and shoes hanging from it, but this one was dismantled.Perhaps this odd habit is becoming an local custom after all!UPDATE: Authorities decreed that this fence be removed, so it is no longer there for people to admire unfortunately.
Hongi(pronounced hor-ngee) is pressing of the noses. You press your nose against the nose of the other person. This is the way Maori greet each other.The reason we hongi is acknowledge each other and where you come from and signifies the 'breath of life' when god blew life into Adam.
Puede parecer raro hablar de vallas , pero nos impresionaron las vallas que veíamos en NZ acostumbrados a vallas de metro y medio máximo , aquí había algunas que medían más de cinco metros , hechas de árboles y que destacaban en los paisajes por su altura y por su verde oscuroHemos supuesto que son tan grandes para de alguna manera romper las fuertes corrientes de aire It may seem strange to talk of fences, but we were impressed by the fences we saw in NZ as we are used to fences five feet up, here there were some that were higer than five meters, made of trees and they were highlited in the landscape due to their dimensions and their dark green colourWe have assumed that are so great to somehow break the strong air currents
New Zealand is famous for The All Blacks our national team. If they are playing while you are in NZ it is worth a trip to see them. This is a pic of The All Blacks playing the Australian Wallabies at Eden Park, Auckland.Want to know more about Rugby in New Zealand? Then check out this website:New Zealand Rugby
Employees in New Zealand do not depend on tips or gratuities as part of their income. Its purely at your discretion for good service. So if you get good service and want to tip, then it will be appreciated... not expected.
These food icons have been part of a great debate in New Zealand for many years - the question? Which is better, Marmite or Vegemite? For the traditionalist, Marmite is the kiwi icon with Vegemite its nasty Aussie cousin who has insinuated itself into the land of the long white cloud. Marmite has its origins in the UK although the product from over there doesn't taste anything like the Kiwi version (you can buy the Kiwi version in the UK branded as Vita-Mite). Vegemite was first made in Australia in the 1920's and found its way into NZ not long after that.An old myth is that Vegemite comes from vegetables and Marmite from meat - incorrect on both counts. Both products are made from yeast extract and a few other bits & pieces (salt, sugar, colour....). I must admit that I prefer Marmite (I have a tub at work - ready for any occasion) though I guess it's all about what you were brough up...
You can get these gems in almost every town in NZ with a large variety of fish to select from. Originally shark flesh was used for the fish but due to high levels of mercury a few years ago this was changed to other varieties of fish. We have come a long way on NZ from the old shark and tatties to being able to pick your fish and have it battered or crumbed. In the attached photo the fish and chips are gluton free from a shop on the main street of Sumner - you can't go wrong!!For a more English experience you can also get mushy peas though these are hard to find - try The Bard on Avon in Christchurch as a start point.Standard F&C will set you back $2 for each item with the option of pick your own fish starting at $3.50 or so.
Copthorne Hotel Commodore Christchurch Airport Christchurch
6 Reviews and 291 Opinions Prior to the earthquakes, I have always stayed in town at some renowned hotel chains. When I was...
SKYCITY Grand Hotel Auckland Auckland
7 Reviews and 432 Opinions The rooms and hotel in general were nicer than expected, and service was good. While this hotel may...
Browns Boutique Hotel Queenstown
1 Review and 169 Opinions Within stroling distance from the main town. Welcoming and homely. A warm cozey room admist the cold...
Reviews and photos of New Zealand attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for New Zealand sightseeing.
Q: Hi, Are there good beaches where you can go for snorkeling on the South island ? Eddy
A: You betcha Eddy! :-) Snorkelling off New Zealand's South Island coastline offers snorkellers the chance to snorkel alongside fur seals or the world's smallest...
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