New Zealand’s awesome landscapes, lush forests, amazing wildlife and pleasant climate makes it a haven for outdoor activities. 

New Zealand society is diverse, sophisticated, and multicultural, and the honesty, friendliness, and openness of Kiwis (New Zealanders) is impressive. 

With vast open spaces, stunning rugged landscapes, gorgeous beaches, spectacular geothermal and volcanic activity, a temperate climate and fascinating animal and plant life - it is no surprise that New Zealand’s pure natural environment attracts so many visitors from other countries and makes it an ideal destination for your AgriVenture experience.
 
Comparable in size and/or shape to Great Britain, Colorado or Japan, New Zealand has a population of just over 4 million - making it one of the world's least crowded countries. 
 
New Zealand is an independent nation, a member of the British Commonwealth and has a Prime Minister as the nation’s leader.

New Zealand comprises of two main islands, the North and the South with a much smaller third island, Stewart Island at the bottom. From the top of the North Island to the bottom of Stewart Island it is 1,500 km long, 450 km at the widest point (middle of the North Island) however you are never further than 120 km away from the 15,000km of coastline surrounding New Zealand.

The North Island is famous for its white sandy beaches, volcanoes and thermal areas while the South Island has the magnificent Southern Alps which provide picturesque mountain peaks, glaciers, lakes and fiords. Approximately three-quarters of the land is 200 metres above sea level.

The north of New  Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February with the coldest being June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC and in winter between 5-15ºC. Snow falls mainly in the mountainous areas of both islands allowing snow skiing  between late May to early October, however, it rarely snows for any length of time elsewhere. Being an island, weather can change very quickly and be unpredictable. The saying ‘four seasons in one day’ at times is well suited to New Zealand’s weather. New Zealand is one of the first places in the world to see the new day, 12 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). In summer New
Zealand uses ‘daylight saving’, with clocks put forward one hour to GMT+13. Daylight Saving commences on the last Sunday in September, and ends on the first Sunday in April, when it reverts to GMT+12.

New Zealand’s indigenous people, the Maori, did not have a written language prior to the arrival of Europeans, making New Zealand’s  history sketchy, relying on the rich mix of myth and legend that makes up Maori folklore. The early Europeans settlers were whalers and sealers who chased the herds of the southern ocean. Missionaries soon followed.

Settlements were beginning to be established by the 1830’s with the Treaty of Waitangi signed by William Hobson on behalf of the British Government and a large number of Maori chiefs (eventually over 500) on 6 February 1840. Two versions of the Treaty exist (one in English and one in Maori) with imprecise translations causing controversies still alive today. 

While the South Island was initially more popular to the settlers with its excellent farm land, the discovery of gold and a smaller Maori population - the North Island today accounts for 75% of New Zealand’s population.

While nearly three quarters of New Zealanders are of European (Pakeha) descent and 13% Maori, the Maori culture has been kept alive by the use of the Maori language, arts and traditions. The haka, a traditional Maori challenge which was often performed before battle, is today used by many National sports teams before their games, typified by the All Blacks before their international rugby games.

While English and Maori are the official languages, English is the mostly widely spoken.

The outdoors plays an important part of New Zealand’s cultural, from the rural pioneering days; developed ‘Kiwi ingenuity’ of home grown inventions, to long summer days at the beach (you are never more than two hour’s drive away), bar-b-q's, bush walks and a nation of gardeners. 
 
With a love of the outdoors and a competitive nature, sport is an important part in the lives of many New Zealanders. Although the national sport is rugby, New Zealanders excel in many other sports ranging from equestrian to yachting, and netball. The forests and mountains provide the perfect backdrop for hunters, trampers and climbers and are excellent training ground for adventure and endurance sports while the rivers and lakes are perfect for jet-boating, kayaking, rowing, white water rafting and those who love to fish.

The ocean is never far away – Auckland is named “The City of Sails” for good reason!  The sea is part of a New Zealanders’ way of life. Sea food is excellent quality. Beautiful oysters and green lipped mussels, fishing for a feed of snapper, the opportunity for big game fishing and the excitement of catching a trout on Lake Taupo.

But then there’s the site of magnificent whales and
dolphins during one of the many ecologically controlled safaris, vast gannet colonies, and the seals and penguins which inhabit New Zealands’ coast line.

We're sure you will find something to enjoy in New Zealand, creating life-long memories of your stay here.

For more information and a free brochure
click here for the Contact Form
or call 09  420 5212   or text 021 961 972 
or email pauline@agriventure.com or for more  information online see www.agriventure.com