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
Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand/Aotearoa! Or to be more precise, welcome to an entire issue of International Traveller concentrating on the wonders of New Zealand, laden as it is with pick-your-jaw-off-the-floor scenery, unique experiences and locals ready to share their country generously. We have always had such a close relationship with our neighbours across the ditch, one forged on a deep and genuine appreciation of the elements that make us uniquely different and pleasingly similar at the same time. We feel like we know so much about New Zealand and its people, but having put this issue together, drilling down into the diversity of the regions, the variety and wealth of activities on offer and the grace and humanity of Maori culture and traditions, let me assure you,…
FIND YOUR PERFECT KIWI SKI ADVENTURE Travel from Christchurch/Otautahi to New Zealand’s highest mountain Aoraki/Mt Cook, or explore the best bits of Queenstown and surrounds in search of the perfect powder (and much more besides) with these two ultimate South Island/Te Waipounamu skiing itineraries. A WINE TRAIL ITINERARY THROUGH NEW ZEALAND Taste your way through stunning scenery, beautiful forest parks, buzzing nightlife and indulgent food experiences on this epic wine trail through the vine-green heart of Aotearoa. EXPLORE THE AMAZING GLACIERS OF NEW ZEALAND’S SOUTH ISLAND Journey from east to west and back again on this glacier itinerary through some of the South Island/ Te Waipounamu’s most beautiful regions. DISCOVER HOBBITON AND MIDDLE-EARTH Most hobbits don’t like to stray too far from home. This week-long Middle-earth itinerary is the perfect…
Travelling consciously and responsibly is a commitment that Kiwis humbly ask all visitors to make during their journey through their country. New Zealanders are renowned throughout the world for the warmth of their welcome and hospitality, something they take pride in. In Māori culture, manaakitanga is central to the way they host visitors, by extending respect, empathy, generosity and hospitality. For all New Zealanders this applies when welcoming visitors into their homes and their businesses, and introducing and sharing their customs and traditions, no matter who they are or where they come from. It is a culture that also informs the country’s famously inclusive approach to visitors to its lands. As with many Māori words, manaakitanga is a term that contains layers of meaning. At its heart, the term is…
The national bird and unofficial emblem of the country, the kiwi holds a special place in the hearts of New Zealanders – or Kiwis. There are five species of kiwi – the brown, great spotted/roroa, little spotted, rowi and southern brown/tokoeka. According to the Department of Conservation (DOC), there are about 68,000 kiwi left in the wild in New Zealand, with programs in place to protect the birds from introduced predators. On STEWART ISLAND/RAKIURA the brown kiwi actually outnumber humans 50 to one, while KAPITI ISLAND has a population of 1200 birds after five birds were translocated there in the early 20th century. Your best bet for seeing one of these notoriously shy nocturnal creatures in the wild is in a predator-free sanctuary such as ULVA ISLAND or joining the…
• While you might expect that New Zealanders would claim the kiwifruit as their favourite fruit given its name, think again. It is the feijoa that fills the childhood memories and hearts of those who dwell in the Land of the Long White Cloud. Native to parts of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Colombia, this unassuming green fruit, most often described as a cross between a pineapple, guava and a quince, has been grown in New Zealand since the 1920s. No matter how long you are planning to be in the country, you are going to come across the feijoa a lot, marinated on mezze plates, served as jam, as ice-cream and even in alcohol – local distiller 42 BELOW does a feijoa vodka. One of the most popular ways…
Discover New Zealand’s unique birdlife. Kea – The only alpine parrots in the world (pictured top left) are found in MILFORD SOUND/PIOPIOTAHI in Fiordland National Park and ARTHUR’S PASS , and are infamous for their habit of eating car exteriors. Penguins – There are six species of penguins in New Zealand including the yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho (left) which is endemic and can be spotted on the BANKS PENINSULA and Stewart Island. Gannets – See one of the largest colonies of these seabirds at CAPE KIDNAPPERS in the HAWKE’S BAY region. Tūī – Native to Aotearoa, you’ll hear the distinctive call of the tūī before you see its glossy black plumage with blue and white feathers at its neck. Wood pigeon/kererū – Possibly the prettiest of New…
