New Zealand Overview

New Zealand's spectacularly beautiful landscape includes vast mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, deeply indented fiords and lush rainforests.

Comparable in size and/or shape to Great Britain, Colorado or Japan, New Zealand has a population of only four million—making it one of the world's least crowded countries. It is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxation as well as a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers. A temperate climate with relatively small seasonal variation makes it an ideal year-round holiday destination.

New Zealanders have a unique and dynamic culture, with European, Maori, Pacific and Asian influences. It's a culture that celebrates the many different lifestyles we live, and the stories we have to tell.

The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August.

New Zealand Highlights

The Bay of Islands is a natural harbour with an irregular 16 kilometre wide inlet, located in the Northland region in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand, 60 kilometres north-west of Whangarei. The Bay of Islands is a stunningly beautiful length of sand and rock coastline that circles a sea pierced by 150 islands. Wherever you are in the Bay of Islands, it's impossible to escape the lure of the sea. Catch a ferry or charter boat and immerse yourself in the blue-green world of island and beach. Or paddle a sea kayak in and out of island nooks and crannies.

The Rotorua district is located on the southern shore of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty region of the North Island of New Zealand. Rotorua is one of the original tourist destinations in New Zealand and has been welcoming visitors for more than 200 years. From the moment people arrive in Rotorua they know they're somewhere quite different. The scent of sulphur in the air is characteristic of Rotorua. At nearby geothermal hotspots, there are spouting geysers, boiling mud pools and warm geothermal springs. Silica terraces are naturally decorated with a kaleidoscope of colours.

Queenstown is the Southern Hemisphere's premiere four season alpine and lake resort. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and overlooked by the majestic Remarkables Range, Queenstown is the perfect destination all year round. Summer burns hot under blue skies before cool autumn morning's change the leaves to vivid reds and gentle golds. With crisp, clear days and acres of snow covered mountains, winter is a time for snow enthusiasts, before nature bursts into colourful life during spring.

Main Centres in New Zealand

Main North Island centres:

• Northland - a gold, green and blue world of beaches, bays and subtropical pleasures
• Bay of Islands - an aquatic playground with 144 islands
• Auckland - largest city in New Zealand
• Coromandel - one of New Zealand's best-loved holiday destinations
• Bay of Plenty - a land of beautiful harbours and long white surf beaches
• Waikato - massive subterranean caverns found underground
• Rotorua - a region of fascinating geothermal activity
• Eastland - the first mainland place in the world to see the sun each day
• Taupo - boasts Lake Taupo New Zealand's largest lake
• Ruapehu - huge volcanoes and majestic National Parks
• Taranaki - boasts Mount Taranaki a huge, dramatic volcanic cone with a snowy top.
• Hawke's Bay - loved for its sunny climate, fabulous beaches, sheltered coastal plains and long-established vineyards 
• Wanganui - known for maori culture, heritage, the Whanganui National Park and the Whanganui River
• Manawatu - green beauty of heartland New Zealand
• Wairarapa - embrace the pleasures of fine wine and good food
• Wellington - capital city of New Zealand

Main South Island centres:

• Nelson - known for its year-round sunshine, golden beaches and national parks
• Marlborough - regularly records the highest sunshine hours in New Zealand
• West Coast - a wild place known for rivers and rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures
• Christchurch - largest city in the South Island, known as the 'Garden City'
• Canterbury - a land of contrasts
• Aoraki/Mt Cook - highest point in New Zealand at 3754 metres
• Wanaka - Otago's second resort town after Queenstown
• Queenstown - premier four season alpine retreat, known as the 'Adventure Capital of the World'
• Otago - appreciated for its powerful, moody landscape
• Dunedin - New Zealand's oldest city
• Fiordland - one of the most dramatic and beautiful parts of New Zealand
• Southland - New Zealand's southernmost region
• Stewart Island - an island about 75 kilometres long and up to 45 kilometres wide

Other main centres:

• Antarctica - located over the south pole of the Earth
• NZ Outlying Islands - include the Chatham Islands, Kermadec Islands, and the Sub-Antarctic Islands

Useful New Zealand Links

To help learn more facts about New Zealand please choose from the following categories:

• The New Zealand Dollar
• Some New Zealand Statistics
• Accommodation
• Tours
• Attractions and Activities
• Transport
• Dining
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• Visitor Information

The origins of the haka are deeply rooted in the mists of time. It is a history rich in folklore and legend that reflects Maori heritage. New Zealand has grown up immersed in haka since first encounters between Maori and early European explorers, missionaries and settlers.

While recent tradition suggests the haka was the domain of men exclusively, legends and history reflects a different story. Indeed, the story of the most famous haka, Ka mate!, proves to be about the power of female sexuality.

According to legend, the haka was derived from the sun of god Ra. He had two wives: Hine-raumati, who was the essence of summer, and Hine-takurua, the essence of winter.

Ra and Hine-raumati lay together and gave birth to a son called Tanerore. On hot summer days it is possible to see the light dancing. Legend has it that this is Hine-raumati's son, Tanerore, performing for his mother and the wiriwiri or trembling shimmer is today reflected in the trembling of the haka performer's hands.

Maori myths and legends are peppered with stories about the haka.

Here is a short example of the Haka.....

History of the Haka

The first use of the haka in the natural world was attributed to the chief Tinirau and some of his womenfolk.

Tinirau desired revenge for the killing of a pet whale, so he sent a hunting party of women to find the man responsible, an old tohunga or priest called Kae. The women didn't know what Kae looked like, but they knew he had uneven teeth that overlapped.

When the women arrived at Kae's village they performed the haka to force a smile from the men in order to uncover Kae's identity.

Kae was captured and taken back to Tinirau's village where he was killed.

Meaning of the Haka

To most people, the haka is a war dance. This is understandable as many have seen the haka performed as a pre-battle challenge to their opposition.

But the word "haka" simply means a dance, or a song accompanied by dance. While they are the correct terms to associate with the haka, they do not do justice to the life force, the actions, words, rhythm, themes, meaning, style or history that are the haka.

While there are many variations between the types of war dance the common feature is that they are all performed with weapons.

In pre-European and early contact times, the haka was used as a part of the formal process when two parties came together.

Succinctly put, there was a challenge from the tangata whenua or tribe from that area, followed by a response from the manuhiri or visiting party.

The encounter concluded with a tangata whenua performing a haka peruperu. The visitors would then respond with their own haka. Following speeches by both parties, they each moved together to hongi, the traditional greeting of pressing noses.

The elaborate form of the traditional challenge is not often seen these days. It is largely reserved for special occasions such as visits by senior dignitaries. However, the principles that underpin the traditional rituals are still retained in a modern form.

How the Haka is used today

New Zealanders have grown accustomed to the use of the Haka by sporting teams. They thrill to the spectacle of the All Blacks forming ranks prior to kick off.

The modern All Blacks perform the Haka with passion and pride. They have reclaimed the dignity and mystique attached to this traditional art form and in the process, increased its recognition as an icon of New Zealand.

The Haka has come to symbolise the power of the All Blacks and their status in the world of rugby. The team leaves an impression of invincibility and ruthlessness. That impression is in no small part due to the potency with which the All Blacks perform the haka.

Today, the New Zealand Army also has its own unique haka, opened and ended by female soldiers, acknowledging their special place in the armed forces.

The haka has become a unique form of national expression.

Because there are tens of thousands of New Zealanders living overseas, it is highly likely they will engage in the performing the haka in the foreign locations.

New Zealand trade delegations and other official functions overseas are increasingly requesting haka groups to accompany them. These are just some of the ways haka is being internationalised.

In this global village, the haka is a truly unique symbol of New Zealand identity. For it to endure as an icon, New Zealanders increasingly recognise that the haka must be treated with respect.