World Country Guide

Sport & Activities

New Zealand’s wild coastlines and national parks (two-thirds of the country is mountainous and nearly a quarter is protected as some form of park) create perfect conditions for every kind of outdoor activity. Not surprisingly, some of the world’s most cutting-edge adventure activities originated in New Zealand, while more traditional sports, such as sailing, rugby, cricket or golf, continue to be pursued with unwavering passion.

Adventure sports
The Awesome Foursome is an adrenaline trip that combines a helicopter flight, a bungee jump, high-speed jetboating and whitewater rafting all in one day. Bungee jumping was first commercialised by New Zealanders and the country remains the world’s prime destination for the sport. Famous jump-off points include the Kawaru River Bridge, the Skippers Bridge, the Pipeline, the Ledge (near Queenstown), Taupo and Mangaweka (in the North Island), Hanmer Springs (in the South Island) and the Bungee Rocket (at New Brighton Pier). Rap jumping, which consists of abseiling headfirst down a cliff, is currently popular in Auckland, Bay of Islands, Queenstown and Wanaka. River sledging involves riding down a river holding in a polystyrene sled or boogie board and is possible in Queenstown (South Island) and on the Rangitaiki River near Rotorua (North Island). Paragliding (also referred to as ‘parapenting’) is billed as the closest possible equivalent to flying and is a cross between parachuting and hang-gliding; beginner's courses are available near Queenstown and Wanaka, while experienced paragliders tend to head to Christchurch, the Daney Pass or Wanaka. Jetboating, another New Zealand invention, consists of high-speed boat trips in special power boats. It is available to people of all ages and popular on many of the country’s best-known rivers. Surf rafting invites visitors to accompany experienced rafters through crashing waves while simultaneously being offered a commentary on the coastline nearby. Best locations are the Otago Peninsula (near Dunedin, South Island) and Piha Beach (near Auckland, North Island). Zorbing involves being strapped into an inflatable transparent plastic ball, which is then rolled down a grassy hill or onto a river. Queenstown is generally regarded as New Zealand’s ‘adventure capital’.

Watersports
New Zealand’s coastline stretches for a total of roughly 16,000km (10,000 miles) and the conditions for swimming and diving are ideal. Many dive spots are easily accessible from the shore, particularly those in Northland (North Island). The Poor Knights Islands (near Whangarei) are particularly renowned among divers (Jacques Cousteau cited them as one of the world’s top diving destinations). Many different types of diving are available, including kelp forests at Stewart Island (home to the huge Paua shellfish), black and red coral in the Fiordlands, and wreck-diving, notably at the Rainbow Warrior, the famous Greenpeace boat which was sunk off the Bay of Islands. Divers need to bring their diver’s certification cards. Many dive stores offer equipment rental and support facilities. A detailed brochure with information on New Zealand’s best dive sites can be obtained from New Zealand Underwater, PO Box 875, Auckland (tel: (9) 623 3252; fax: (9) 623 3523; website: www.nzunderwater.org.nz). The long coastlines also offer excellent opportunities for surfing, with some of the best breaks located at Mahia Peninsula (near Gisborne), Murawai, Palliser Bay (near Wellington), Piha and Raglan. Swimming with dolphins is possible in the Bay of Islands (north of Auckland), the Coromandel Peninsula, Kaikoura (South Island) and Whakatane; numbers are limited and advance booking is recommended. Whale watching is possible on the eastern coast of South Island all year round (with the greatest number of sightings in winter, from April to August). For further information and details of prices, contact Whale Watch (website: www.whalewatch.co.nz). Sailing and yachting are extremely popular and Auckland – ‘the city of sails’ – is one of the top locations. Charters with a skipper and crew can be hired to sail around the coast or as far as the Pacific Islands. Excursions to the remote maritime reserves in the Bay of Islands, Hauraki Gulf and Marlborough Sounds are also possible. Whitewater rafting trips ranging from a couple of hours to five days are available on many rivers, including the Wairora (near Tauranga), the Mohaka (in Hawke’s Bay) and the Kaituna (near Rotorua), which also features the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall at 7m (23ft). Windsurfing is particularly popular around Wellington, Taupo, Auckland and the Bay of Islands while kayaking is widely practised on rivers throughout the country.

Wintersports
New Zealand offers good skiing and snowboarding, with ideal conditions from June to October. Resorts tend to be less crowded than European ones. On the North Island, the best ski regions are Whakapapa and Turoa (both located on Mount Ruapehu). Other good ski slopes can be found in the Southern Lakes region (particularly Queenstown and Wanaka) and Mount Hutt (where the season is from late May to early November). Heli-skiing trips are available in Mount Hutt, Queenstown and Wanaka, while cross-country skiing is possible on a 26km- (16 mile-) trail through the Pisa range near Wanaka. Glacier skiing and glacier walking can be enjoyed at the Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman glaciers in the Southern Alps.

Mountaineering
New Zealand has some of the highest peaks in the southern hemisphere. Climbers are advised to hire a commercial guide or contact a local alpine club before setting out.

Caving
The Waitomo Caves, whose ‘Lost World’ cave can be abseiled into through shafts of sunlight, are the most visited. Other ways to explore the country’s many underground caves is through cave rafting or tubing, where participants are kitted out with a wetsuit and helmet (complete with light) and then float through the cave system on custom-made tyres.

Golf
New Zealand has over 400 golf courses. Green fees are relatively low compared to other countries. Most clubs welcome visitors, but it is best to telephone in advance, particularly at weekends. For further information, contact the New Zealand Golf Association, PO Box 11842, Wellington (tel: (4) 385 4330; fax: (4) 385 4331; e-mail: nzga@nzga.co.nz; website: www.nzgolf.org.nz).

Walking
A variety of walks for all ages and levels of fitness is available. Many of the country’s footpaths pass through national parks or protected forest areas. Trails are categorised according to four different types: paths (easy, suitable for all ages and fitness levels, including wheelchair users), walking tracks (easy), tramping tracks (more demanding, requiring good fitness) and routes (very challenging and for experienced hikers only). The Department of Conservation (DOC) has singled out eight different walks which are generally the best known and most popular, including the Abel Tasman Coastal Track (New Zealand’s most widely used recreational track), the Lake Waikaremoana Track (in Te Urewara National Park), the Milford Track (the country’s most famous track in World-Heritage-listed Fiordland Park) and the Rakiura Track (a remote walk on Stewart Island to New Zealand’s southernmost parts). These tracks generally take from one to several days, with accommodation provided en route, either in the form of basic camping and huts or comfortable lodges. A network of remote tramping tracks also exists, but walkers attempting these should be well prepared and able to read maps and use a compass. In most cases, a Great Walks Pass must be obtained from the Department of Conservation, which has local offices throughout the country. For further information, contact the Department of Conservation in Wellington (tel: (4) 471 0726; fax: (4) 471 1082; website: www.doc.govt.nz).

Fishing
Brown and rainbow trout are particularly popular. Salmon fishing is best in the Rakaia, Rangitata, Waimakariri and Waitaki rivers on the East Coast (the season lasts from mid-December to late April). Permits are only required for trout and salmon fishing and there is a special Tourist Licence (available only from the Tourism Rotorua Information Office) which allows holders to fish anywhere in the country for a one-month period. For further information, contact the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association, PO Box 16, Motu, Gisborne (tel: (6) 863 5822; fax: (6) 863 5844; e-mail: murphy.motu@xtra.co.nz; website: www.nzpfga.com).

Wildlife
As New Zealand was separated from other land masses some 100 million years ago, many plant and animal species are unique to the country. This is particularly true in the case of birds, which attract birdwatching enthusiasts from all over the world. Owing to the lack of predators, many of the country’s birds never fully developed wings and, hence, live on the ground. The best-known native bird is the kiwi, also the country’s unofficial national symbol. Others include the kea and weka, as well as the endangered kakapo, the world’s largest parrot. The emu, originally from Australia, is also found here; New Zealand’s own native equivalent, the moa, is now extinct. New Zealand is also home to the world’s largest insect, the weta (a mouse-sized cricket), and the tuatara (a reptile whose lineage stretches back to the dinosaurs). Famous locations for birdwatching include Taiaroa Head (near Dunedin), known for colonies of royal albatrosses and Stewart Island, where kiwis can be observed at night. Cape Kidnappers in Hawkes Bay is the only gannet colony in the world, and is well worth a visit at low tide when it is possible to walk along the beach or take a tractor ride.

Other
Rugby, netball and cricket are the national sports. Other sports particular to New Zealand include lawn bowls, a popular sport played from September to April with greens in most towns, and sheep dog trials. Throughout the year, a number of triathlon races and endurance events are held. Bicycles can be hired easily; special tours offer lifts up to volcano tops (notably at Mount Ruapehu, the Otaga Peninsula and the Remarkables Range). Cycle helmets are compulsory and most buses and trains allow bicycles on board.