International Traveller

Turn your dreams into reality, with International traveller you will be guided to the most irresistible destinations in the world. Whether you're after an adventure, or a luxury escape this magazine has got you covered

editor’s letter

International Traveller

ONLINE • KIA ORA! NEW ZEALAND IS CALLING. A SMALL COUNTRY WITH BUCKET LOADS OF CULTURE, START YOUR ADVENTURE ON OUR HUB.INTERNATIONALTRAVELLER.COM/101-REASONS-TO-GO-TO-NEW-ZEALAND

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The warmest of welcomes • Th is the ere warmth is much that of the makes hospitality New Zealand that is at unique the heart , but of one its culture of the most , and endearing the belief that visitors arrive as strangers but leave as friends.

CREATURE FEATURE • When it comes to uniqueness of fauna, New Zealand takes the prize, with the highest concentration of flightless birds in the world, the smallest dolphin, and the biggest (read: heaviest) insect on the planet. When out and about in nature in Aotearoa, watch out for these weird and wonderful creatures.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT • Eating and drinking your way through New Zealand offers up ample delicacies to savour. Try these while you are there.

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UNIQUE STAYS • The landscape is dotted with accommodation options that range from dinky glass cubes to Hobbit houses and eco digs. You can get away from it all in a pod with postcard views, lay your head down in a former lighthouse, use an alpaca farm as your ideal base, or stay in a repurposed silo all while appreciating some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world. Here are some of the coolest places to stay.

NEW ZEALAND LANGUAGE AND SLANG • New Zealanders have two national languages, English and Te Reo Maori, as well as a collection of phrases and words that are totally unique to them. Using Maori words during your visit is a nice way to show respect (whakaute) to the traditions and culture of the country and its people, and learning the correct pronunciation of letters and sounds will help when tackling the abundant place names in Maori as you travel.

THE REGIONS OF NEW ZEALAND • New Zealand is made up of a patchwork of diverse and compelling regions that collectively present visitors with a wealth of sights and experiences. Acquaint yourself with the different areas here and then dive into the pages that follow to plan out your journey.

101 Reasons To Stop Dreaming About NEW ZEALAND And Go! • Take your pick from high-octane pursuits in unspoilt wilderness to cruising tranquil lakes and glassy sounds. Explore country roads and buzzing urban scenes or immerse yourself in Maori culture. Then soak in the beauty of the natural landscape from the quintessentially Kiwi comfort of one of the country’s famed luxury lodges, like here at Wharekauhau in Wairarapa.

Winter wonderland • New Zealand is one of the world’s great ski destinations. For such a compact country, it punches well above its weight with world-class ski resorts ideal for every kind of skier or snowboarder, built beside some of the world’s most iconic ski towns like Wanaka and Queenstown. It’s time to rug up warm and choose your own winter adventure.

OCEAN TO ALPS – THE QUINTESSENTIAL KIWI WINTER • While ski resorts in New Zealand have long captured the imagination of winter sports fans across Australia, the lesser-known resorts in Canterbury and the Mackenzie region are where it’s at.

JOURNEYS • Crisscrossed with routes that thread together the country’s most stunning landscapes, must-see attractions and hidden gems, New Zealand is made for road (and train) trips. So, which one will you start with?

THE BEST WAY TO EXPERIENCE NEW ZEALAND • Get a taste for life on the road on a New Zealand holiday by touring in an Apollo campervan or motorhome, which is like staying in a hotel on wheels. Kick...