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Essential New Zealand Information

About New Zealand

New Zealand , also known as Aotearoa (land of the long white cloud), was voted in a worldwide internet poll as the most beautiful and safe country in the world. Inhabited by a peaceful, friendly people affectionately known as Kiwis, New Zealand 's spectacularly beautiful landscape includes vast mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, deeply indented fiords and lush rainforests. Visitors are most likely to arrive in New Zealand at Auckland , the country's largest urban area with a population of just over one million.

Brief NZ History

New Zealand is the youngest country on earth - the last major landmass to be discovered. The first inhabitants, the Maori, arrived around the 10th century in double-hulled canoe from islands somewhere to the north. Even as early Maori first discovered this land and called it Aotearoa, they recognised its beauty. Traditional translations of the name Aotearoa include "land of the long white cloud" and "land of the lingering day".

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The first European explorer, Dutch navigator Abel Tasman, arrived in 1642. In 1769 Captain James Cook of the British Royal Navy circumnavigated the country and claimed it for the United Kingdom . In 1840 the British Government extended sovereignty to New Zealand with the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the Crown and the Maori people.

By 1907 New Zealand had become a self-governing Dominion and today has a stable, western-style democratic government. The government is currently negotiating the return of lands and assets to Maori tribes in accordance with the Treaty of Waitangi.

The first European arrival was the Dutchman Abel Tasman in 1642, but it was not until the voyages of Captain James Cook in 1769 and 1779 that the islands were charted and explored by Europeans. The vessel Captain Cook first arrived on was "Endeavour"

British settlers began to emigrate after British sovereignty was established in 1840, and Wellington was founded soon afterwards. New Zealand was granted internal self-government in 1852, and the later years of the century saw a rapid growth in investment, communications and agricultural production. In 1893, New Zealand became the first country in the world to extend the vote to women.

NZ Geography

New Zealand is 1930km (1200 miles) southeast of Australia and consists of two major islands, the North Island (114,470 sq km/44,197 sq miles) and the South Island (150,660 sq km/58,170 sq miles), which are separated by Cook Strait .

Stewart Island (1750 sq km/676 sq miles) is located immediately south of the South Island, and the Chatham Islands lie 800km (500 miles) to the east of Christchurch.

Overseas Visitors

New Zealand is an easy country to travel to, and around. Getting to Rotorua is straightforward whether you are travelling in a group, self-drive, using the coach network or travelling by plane. Touring routes around the Central North Island make even getting to Rotorua a pleasure if you are driving.

We hope to see you soon in our fantastic part of the world.

Getting around in New Zealand

Auckland and Wellington are the closest international airports to Rotorua. Travel options to Rotorua include air, coach, train and self-drive.

Air - Rotorua has daily air service links with Auckland , Wellington and Christchurch . Rotorua airport is a 15 minute drive from the city.
Coach - regular scheduled services operate from Auckland and Wellington and other North Island Centres
Self-drive - Rotorua is about three hours drive from Auckland and about five hours drive from Wellington

Once in Rotorua there is a full range of bus, taxi, shuttle and rental car services.
To find out more about getting to and around Rotorua, click here.