New Zealand - Useful information for your trip

New Zealand is a long and narrow island country located in the Pacific Ocean. It comprises two main landmasses: North Island and South Island and several other islets. Its capital city is Auckland. 

Both the main islands are characterized by mountainous profiles. On the South Island the highest peaks are located, belonging to the Southern Alps, as Mount Cook that reaches 3754 m. The weather is generally temperate and maritime although there are often precipitations.

New Zealand boasts wonderful landscapes, rich in animals and plants. In order to safeguard its biodiversity, the 30% of the territory has been declared protected zone. The most common vegetable species are falciform trees, acacias and mimosas. While, the symbolic animal of the country is kiwi, a particular night bird.

National Parks and forest parks as well as maritime reserves offer the chance to discover and admire all the natural beauties of this area.

The population is quite heterogeneus. It mainly consists in European people, followed by Maori and other communities from the Pacific Ocean. The mixture between the different ethnies can be noted in the culinary field. Indeed, several local dishes were created by the meeting of these different cultures.

Wild coasts, black vulcanic beaches, but also white sandy beaches, burning sunsets, crystal-clear sea rich in sealife, undulating lush hills, geysers and much more, attract every year many and many tourists. Unmissable spots in New Zealand are also the colonial towns such as Ponsoby, the district of Parnell and Russell, a real architectural jewel. Here is Christ Church, the first Anglican church of the country. Moreover, it is not possible to keep a straight face visiting Wellington, the capital city. Here several and important cultural and historical places are located.