Water Activities in New Zealand

Thousands of kilometers of coastline, lakes and rivers herald New Zealand as a water sports mecca.
Kayaking, sailing, surfing, diving, fishing – Kiwis love the water and we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to water activities. Indulging your passion for the water is easy to do here in New Zealand and limited only by your imagination.

Kayaking

Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. It is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle. A kayak is a boat where the paddler faces forward, legs in front, using a double-bladed paddle. Most kayaks have closed decks, although sit-on-top and inflatable kayaks are growing in popularity as well.

White Water Kayaking: is the sport of paddling a kayak on a moving body of water, typically a whitewater river. Whitewater kayaking can range from active, moving water, to demanding, extreme whitewater.

Surf Kayaking: is the sport, technique, and equipment, used in surfing ocean waves with kayaks. Surf kayaking has many similarities to surf board surfing, but with boats designed for use in surf zones, and with a paddle. A number of kayak designs are used, but all are aimed at better using the waves to propel the craft.

Canoeing: is a paddle sport in which you kneel or sit facing forward in an open or closed-decked canoe, and propel yourself with a single-bladed paddle, under your own power. Kayaking is a comparable activity in a kayak which usually has a closed deck and is propelled with a double bladed paddle. In a kayak the paddler typically sits with legs extended forward

Paddleboarding: Stand Up Paddleboarding is one of the the best ways to explore New Zealand’s stunning coastline, lakes and islands.

Improve your balance and co-ordination while you explore the best of what New Zealand's coastline and beaches have to offer. The perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors, stand up paddleboarding is an activity suitable for all ages and abilities.

Sea Kayaking: Sea kayaking tours are a splendid way to enjoy New Zealand's pristine coastline, amazing sounds and rugged fiords. Because we cater for both beginners and advanced paddlers you won't need any previous sea kayaking experience, just a partner to paddle with in a modern double sea kayak.

Sea Kayaking Tour Options:
1. Marlborough Sounds: Sea Kayaking on Queen Charlotte Sound
2. Sea Kayaking on Okarito Lagoon
3. Sea Kayaking tours on Milford Sound
4. Other Sea Kayaking Vacation Options
5. Coromandel Peninsula
6. Bay of Islands
7. Dusky Sound
8. Able Tasman

For more information about New Zealand Tourism info visit New Zealand Travel Blog

Photo Credits - Respectively - Julian-Apse, Adam Bryce, Camilla Stoddart

Kiwi - The National Bird of New Zealand

Have you ever seen Kiwi? Maybe you are confused what is Kiwi, Is it a fruit? Or is it a bird? Yes, we are talking about KIWI Bird. The National Bird of New Zealand . The Kiwi evolved 70 million years ago from a flightless ancestor from the great southern continent of Gondawana. Kiwi represents New Zealand, the word Kiwi came from Maori Language. Kiwi has given his name to New Zealanders and now New Zealanders known as Kiwis in the world over. There are about approx. 70,000 Kiwis left in New Zealand. It can often seen in daylight.

If we talk about Kiwi size, it grows as a size of little chicken. A flightless bird has coarse, bristly, hair like feathers. Brown Kiwis can be found in forested areas in the North Island. Spotted Kiwis are found on offshore islands. Kiwi is a unique bird, it cannot fly. Kiwi loose hair like feathers and little Kiwi has no tail.

Types of Kiwi Birds:

Brown Kiwis

The Little Spotted Kiwi

Great Spotted Kiwi

Activities:

Kiwi Birdlife Park, Queenstown

Hours:

9am to 5pm (Winter)

9am to 6pm (Summer)

Watch out more tourist activities in New Zealand

Photo Credit @ Tourism New Zealand

South Island Cities, Locations & Attractions

South Island is the larger than the North Island, it has Cook Strait to the north, Tasman Sea to the west, Pacific Ocean to the south & east, 23% of New Zealand's 4.5 million inhabitants live in the South Island.

Largest city is Christchurch & know as 'Garden City'.

South Island offers wide varieties of tourist attractions in New Zealand for family vacations & couples for their honeymoon.

Main Cities are:

• Christchurch
• Dunedin
• Fox Glacier
• Franz Josef
• Greymouth
• Hanmer Springs
• Kaikoura
• Lake Tekapo
• Milford Sound
• Mount Cook
• Queenstown
• Wanaka

For more information about places to visit in South Island, do visit Freedom Tourism website

Click here for family holiday packages for South Island, New Zealand

North Island Cities, Locations & Attractions

North Island is one of main island of New Zealand. The North Island has a larger population than the South Island, Auckland is the country's largest city & capital as well.

North Island has Lakes & Rivers, Forest and National Parks, Bay & Coastal facility, Volcano, Caves and many more attractions and must visit places. 

About 77% of New Zealand's population lives in the North Island.

Main cities are:

• Auckland
• Palmerston North
• Wellington
• Rotorua
• Hamilton
• New Plymouth
• Napier-Hastings
• Whangarei
• Tauranga
• Kapiti

For more information about places to visit in North Island, do visit Freedom Tourism website

Click here for Holiday packages for North Island, New Zealand

Self Drive Holidays in New Zealand

Self driving holidays are one of the most relaxing ways of enjoying New Zealand's landscape. Many roads are scenic and traffic is low when compared to international standards. Although distances may seem short, however the roads often include hilly or winding terrain, which slow down your journey.
If you're used to driving in the city, you should take care when driving on the open country roads.

• All motorists drive on the left-hand side of the road and the unit is in Kilometers.

• There is no left turn rule as in North America.
· The speed limit on open roads is 100kmph.
· Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts at all times, in both front and rear seats.
· Make sure that you have plenty of sleep before a long drive. Take regular breaks - one every two hours and when you feel sleepy.
· Do not drink alcohol before driving in New Zealand - drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced

Self Drive Holidays
New Zealand is easy to drive around with many signposted touring routes.

• Traffic is light
• Well maintained roads
• Great scenery

Rental car
Multiple choices of late model vehicles from well-known companies - Budget, Hertz, Avis, Europcar and others.

Second driver rule:
• AT the time of hiring a vehicle the second driver fee applies ranging between $10 -$20.

Soiling charges:
• In New Zealand it is a reserve to right to charge $50-$80 soiling fee if the vehicle is not returned with the interior in a clean condition.

Accidents and Health Insurance
• With a little care and common sense, your visit to New Zealand should be accident-free.

• In New Zealand, you cannot sue anyone for compensatory damages if you are injured.

• You need to purchase your own travel and medical insurance.

• New Zealand's public and private medical/hospital facilities provide a high standard of treatment and service but it is important to note these services are not free to visitors, except as a result of an accident.

• Visitors bringing in a quantity of medication are advised to carry a doctor's certificate to avoid possible problems with New Zealand Customs. Doctor's prescriptions are needed to obtain certain drugs in

New Zealand.
• No vaccinations are required to enter New Zealand.

Visit - New Zealand Travel Information for more information on Self Drive Packages to New Zealand

Tourist Destinations for Indians in New Zealand

New Zealand has so many places and activities for every Indians & for every religion. Here are the list of religious places in New Zealand, specially for Indian Tourist, so every Indian traveler can continue their worship with their respective god.

Temples in New Zealand
Auckland Ganesh Temple
Subramaniyar Temple
Shree Swaminarayan Temple
Ratanadipa Buddhist Temple
Radha Krishna Mandir
Murugan Temple
Bharatiya Mandir
Thirumurgan Temple
4 Dent Place, Papakura
41A Stanhope Road Mt, Wellington
10/12 Wentworth Avenue, Papatoetoe
3075A Great North Road, New Lynn
145 New North Road, Eden Terrace
145 Church Street, Otahuhu
252 Balmoral Road, Sandringham
174 Marua Road, Ellerslie

Jain Derasar in New Zealand
New Zealand Jain Sangh
44F Portage Road, New Lynn

Gurudwaras in New Zealand
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Sikh
Sangat Gurudwara Sahib Ji
Takanini Gurdwara
Shri Dashmesh Darbar
Shri Guru Singh Sabha
Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar
(Gursikh Temple)
Gurdwara Sri Guru Arjan Ji
120 Princess Street, Otahuhu
70 Takanini School Road,Takanini
158 Kolmar Road, Papatoetoe
Shirely Road, Papatoetoe
100-106 Great South Road, Manurewa
132 St George Street, Avondale

Mosques in New Zealand
Al-Mustafa Jamia Masjid
Masjid Al Noor
Masjid Al Makhtoom
Masjid At-Taqwa
Masjid e Abu Bakr
Masjid e Umar
26 Mangere Road
122 Blockhouse Bay Road, Avondale
91 Westney Raod, Mangere
58 Grayson Ave, Manukau City
5B Cortina Place, Pakuranga
185 – 187 Stoddard Road, Mt Roskill

The best New Zealand tour packages from India, which has Indian cook, regional language speaking tour guide & local travel ambassador to enjoy every moment of your holidays in New Zealand.

Contact on kiwi@freedomtourism.com for more information on travel planning & packages for NZ.

Some Basic Rules & Tips for Self Drive Tour Package

Self-driving holidays are one of the most relaxing ways of enjoying New Zealand's landscape & natural beauty.

We suggest before you book your self drive holidays to New Zealand, one must check the basic rules & important tips for it,

Drive straight and you are sweet as.

• Always STOP at Stop signs or Red Traffic light.
• GO Green, Orange Prepare to STOP.
• Strictly NO HORN, it's considered as an abusive gesture to other driver
• Street limit 50, Motorway 100, few roads are drive to condition.
• Give way to Traffic from Right
• NO stopping on Motorways, only in EMERGENCY with Boot OPEN, Hazard Lights on
• Be courteous to let public bus go first, they will Thank You with dashing hazard lights
• NO MOBILE PHONE's while you drive. Stop and talk.
• NO driving around with your fngertips or one hand etc unsafe styles. Both hands on steer, no crossover hands.
• Use mirror, 15 second every mirror to look for safe driving.
• No changing lanes without at least 3 signals notice.
• In event of an accident, be calm call the tour operator and let them handle. No arguments. Just take the other vehicle's number plate and photos of events if possible.
• Follow the various road signs for your safe holiday. If it says 30 speed limit then drive at 30. If it says stop then please do it
• NO Rubbish throwing from Moving Car (use bins when stop comes)
• Overtaking is strictly NOT PERMITTED, unless it is PASSING LANE on highways
• To Park in general parking slot only. NOT TO PARK IN DIABLED YELLOW CAR PARKING AT ANY TIME
• Lock your car at all times. Don't encourage thieves. Do not leave any valuables in the car
• ZEBRA (Pedestrian) Crossing has always first right. STOP if anyone wants to cross roads
• Use Pedestrian Button, if you want to cross roads. It's not safe without your turn to cross roads
• Footpath is for only WALK, not to drive cars, NOT EVEN in ANY EMERGENCY
• Railway Crossing has only one sided barrier and up/down's automatic with bells warning while train passing by, however it's always recommended to LOOK FOR TRAINS at crossing, always
• NO RACING or COMPETITION on any road at anytime
• LOOK for Animals on road and drive safe. You may face Kiwi (in night), Cats, Duck, Horse, Rabbit and many more. They don't know road rules, we do.

For more information on Self Drive, kindly visit - New Zealand Information link on Freedom Tourism website