|
|
 |
Picturesque: Hot air ballooning over the Canterbury Plains
looking West to the Southern Alps. |
|
|
|
About New Zealand
New Zealand, the youngest country
New Zealand’s awesome landscapes, lush forests, amazing wildlife and pleasant climate make it a haven for many outdoor activities, and a great place to unwind. New Zealand society is diverse, sophisticated, and multicultural, and the honesty, friendliness, and openness of Kiwis will impress
you. And the great advantage of New Zealand is that all of its diverse physical, cultural, and artistic landscapes are so close to each other!
Climate and culture
Twelve hours ahead of GMT, New Zealand is the first country in the world to see the dawn of each new day. Its seasons are the reverse of the Northern Hemisphere, with summer between December and March, and winter between June and September. New Zealand's climate ranges from sub-tropical in
the North, to temperate in the South. In some regions, the summers are hot and dry and the winters cold and snowy. Its maritime environment, however, makes its weather very changeable.
The population of New Zealand, is predominantly made up of New Zealanders of European descent. The indigenous
Maori account for approximately 14% of the population. The country has two official languages, English and Maori, with English being predominant. Visitors to New Zealand will however notice a large number of Maori place names which can present a challenge to those not familiar with their pronunciations.
|
|
 |
Nightlife in Christchurch City |
|
|
|
Christchurch and Canterbury
Stretching from Christchurch, the South Island's main city, to the nation's highest peak, Aoraki Mount Cook, Canterbury offers some of the country's best mountain recreational
areas. The varied and beautiful scenery also includes the vast Canterbury Plains, the widest area of flat land in New Zealand.
The region's main centre, Christchurch, provides handy access to many of the region's nine ski areas, while the magnificent Arthur's Pass and Mount Cook National Parks have superb hiking, hunting and mountaineering. Canterbury's
key highlights include Timaru district, with its rivers and lush pasture; Waimate district, home to New Zealand's largest wallabies; the wild high country of the Mackenzie
Country; and the Hurunui district, home to the alpine thermal resort of Hanmer Springs and the whalewatching centre of Kaikoura. Selwyn
district offers the TranzAlpine rail excursion, while Waimakariri has beaches and farm stays. The Inland Scenic Route 72 offers easy access to Ashburton district, where
you can enjoy salmon and trout fishing, jetboating, hot air ballooning and high country farm tours.
General Information
Visa requirements
For information about Visa requirements of the New Zealand Immigration Department, visit their website: www.immigration.govt.nz or click here for more information.
Money
New Zealand has decimal currency based on dollar and cent denominations.
Banks
Trading banks and Bureaux de Change are open Monday-Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm. Banking facilities at international airports provide foreign exchange services for international arrivals and departures, including weekends.
Credit Cards & Travellers Cheques
The practice of payment by credit card is very widely accepted throughout
New Zealand. Those in common use include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club and JCB. Traveller’s cheques can be changed at trading banks, large city hotels and many other trading establishments.
Shopping
Visitors to Christchurch are able to shop within the central city, or in one of the many suburban shopping malls. Normal retail hours are 9.00am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday with one late night a week to 9.00pm (usually a Thursday or Friday). Additionally, many city and suburban shops are open
all day Saturday and Sunday.
Water
All New Zealand cities and towns have excellent public water supplies: tap (faucet) water is fresh and safe to drink.
Driving Licences
Reciprocal driving rights exist between New Zealand and most countries. Most rental car companies will ask for an International Driver’s Licence. The driver will need to be over 21 years of age.
Language
English and Maori are the two official languages of New Zealand. English is the predominantly spoken language.
Resident Population
New Zealand’s resident population is just over 4 million. The population of Christchurch is 400,000.
Sister City Affiliations
Christchurch is affiliated to the following sister cities:
- Adelaide, Australia
- Kurashiki, Japan
- Christchurch, Dorset, England
- Seattle, United States of America
- Gansu Province, China
- Songpa-Gu, Korea
Further information
We invite you to visit the website of Tourism New Zealand for a wide range of information:
www.newzealand.com
Christchurch City’s website
www.christchurch.org.nz
Find more about New Zealand, and the Rugby World Cup:
www.rugbyworldcup.com
|
