New Zealand at a glance

Languages:

English

Currency

New Zealand dollar

There was almost no need to carry cash  

International Airports: 

  1. Auckland Airport (AKL)
  2. Wellington Airport (WLG)
  3. Christchurch (CHC)
  4. Queenstown (ZQN)
  5. Dunedin (DUD)

Airlines  

All major US airlines fly here but consider (for deals and/ or superior experience):

  1. Air New Zealand – perhaps the best in the world. Premium economy was great. Inter island flight are easy and actually relatively affordable
  2. Quantas
  3. Hawaiian Air
  4. Virgin australia
  5. Jetstar (budget airline- inter island option))

Best Rental Car Companies

Apex Auto Rental Car

Driving – roads are generally well maintained, and there are cars but not a huge number. But remember you will be driving on the left. It takes some getting used to but you can do it – we believe in you!

Grocery Stores

New World – Nice but pricier – think whole foods
Fresh Choice – Pretty similar to New World.
Countdown – Your average grocery store.
Pak N Save – Value pricing but not as good as countdown.

Not-to-Miss Local Food, Beer, Drink

Food is OK priced – not super cheap but not Iceland prices either – we thought similar to US- and has good quality – often with local ingredients.

Water

Drinking tap water in this country is perfectly fine. Bring your reusable water bottle and request tap water at restaurants. 

Food:

  • Lamb
  • More lamb
  • Fresh fish
  • Pork belly – everywhere

Local Beer

Beer is popular in New Zealand- there are both big producers (usually lager types and craft / microbreweries

  • Speight’s
  • Garage Project
  • Tui
  • Invercargill Brewery
  • Wanaka Beerworks
  • Monteith’s
  • Emerson’s
  • Mac’s Beer
  • DB
  • Sunshine Brewery
  • Founders Brewery
  • Bays
  • Epic
  • Moa
  • The Twisted Hop
  • Tuatara
  • Yeastie Boys
  • Renaissance
  • Hallertau
  • Sprig and Fern
  • Brew Moon
  • Hot Water Brewing
  • Mike’s
  • Mata

Wine

New Zealand has some of the best wineries in the world.

Sauvignon Blanc put NZ wine on the map (probably best in the world) but also try Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir (others as well). Basically while there just try local wines, There are a variety of regions but most famous are Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay.

Not-to-miss New Zealand Activities

  • Hiking—Famous for hiking – among best in the world
    • Milford track – 5 days (Best hike in world by some reports. You can stay in Department of Conservation (DOC) huts or opt for the Ultimate Hikes lodges)
    • Routeburn track – 3 days (maybe even better than Milford. You can stay in (DOC) huts or opt for the Ultimate Hikes lodges)
    • Abel Tasman Track
    • Hooker Valley track (spectacular day hike)
    • Tongariro crossing (billed as best day hike in the world)
  • Bungee jumping, skydiving, catapulting, etc if you are into that sort of thing
  • Jet Boating
  • Whale watching / swim with dolphins— especially Kaikora and Bay of Islands
  • Hot springs— Hanmer springs, Hot water beach, many others

Movies / Books

  • Lord of the Rings (the whole thing was shot here in all of it’s natural and CGI majesty)
  • The Piano
  • Hunt for the Wilderpeople