Through cloud and snow 
From Wellington Railway Station — "a symphony of towering columns, vaulted ceilings and marble terrazzo floors" — travelling by train north up the west coast "the track squeezes between wild, rocky shoreline and precipitous cliffs." The Sydney Morning Herald's Heather Ramsay travels on the Overlander toward the volcanic plateau and the ski town of Ohakune, crossing some 352 bridges and 10 "magnificent" viaducts. The line was opened in 1908, and once down off the Raurimu spiral, the train races "through a landscape of stark, spiky hills before bursting forth at Te Kuiti into the gently rolling dairy country of the Waikato region. Darkness has fallen by the time we rumble into Auckland's Britomart Transport Centre." Ramsay reflects "that public transport has provided a fuss-free ride from the heritage ambience of Wellington to the modern face of Auckland — and a lot more in between." 
(19 October 2008)

Beauty in cold 
Winter in New Zealand is captured in seascape images by Independent photographer Hannah Bills, who travelled through Wellington and then south, taking shots in and around Christchurch, "the Oxford of the southern hemisphere." "Intensely cold, mid-winter days in New Zealand, especially in the south island," writes partner Peter Bills, "often produce vivid blue skies to tempt the photographer. The sunsets can be wondrous, dramatic; nature's fireworks at the end of a day. But the blue skies of day time also offer dramatic backdrops for photos, as is seen with the sculpture of flowers which stands in Christchurch's Cathedral Square. The lack of visitors at this time of year in the southern hemisphere enhances the scenes of natural beauty to be found all over the antipodes." 
(31 July 2008)

Aotearoa on the cheap 
The Bangkok Post takes a budget tour of NZ "that in some countries could easily pass for luxury". Spending just fifty NZ dollars a day, the travel writer visits Wellington's Botanic Gardens, Te Papa, Mt Victoria and several cafes, and the Theatrical Wearable Art Gallery, Queen's Park, Skywire and Seifried Estate winery in Nelson. Bangkok Post: "New Zealand's well maintained natural environment gave me an idea of what quality life is all about. You can walk out your house and in a few minutes find yourself immersed in natural beauty." 
(24 May 2007)

Something for everyone 
The recent volcanic lahar at Mount Ruapehu has done nothing to put off eager skiers, from NZ or overseas. As a news.com.au article points out, visitors continued to ski and snowboard both during and immediately after the volcanic eruptions of 1995 and 1996, and are expected to do the same this year. "Why wouldn't you seize the chance to ski on a volcano while it was erupting?" asked former ski instructor, Maree Surrey. "At least you would die doing something you loved." The article goes on to praise the advanced safety warning systems on the mountain, as well as its beautiful and varied terrain. A second piece explores the southern ski fields, from the impressive Mount Hutt to the lesser-known Ohau and Roundhill fields. 
(7 April 2007)

Food to match the location
Wellington restaurant Martin Bosley's features in a guide to the Pacific region by the New York Times. Research for the guide was conducted by leading US travel authority Frommers. "Previously reserved as the exclusive dining domain of members of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, this bright and classy spot has opened its doors to the wider public - and for that we can be truly thankful. You'll get some of the best dishes in Wellington here - luscious seafoods served in myriad ways from an all-round creative menu," states the five-star review. Martin Bosley's overlooks Clyde Quay Marina on Wellington's waterfront.
(March 2007)

Safe haven 
US travel expert Laura McKenzie includes NZ in her list of the world's five safest travel destinations. NZ is ranked second only to Monaco in a list which includes Malta, Switzerland and Singapore. "[NZ] is an adventurer's paradise," says McKenzie. "While you can risk your life on the bungee jumps and speed boats, you don't have to concern yourself with personal safety on its hiking trails or city streets. Even if you do suffer from an extreme sport incident, rest assured that you'll receive excellent medical assistance throughout New Zealand." 
(9 January 2007)

Guilt-free luxury 
Taranaki's Eco Inn comes highly recommended in the Guardian. The lodge is constructed from untreated macrocarpa wood and recycled materials, and is entirely powered by solar panels, wind turbines and a water wheel. An added bonus is its stunning location. Guardian: "Mount Taranaki in the Egmont national park ... isn't on the usual 'Journey through Middle Earth' itinerary, but is one of New Zealand's most accessible wilderness areas. I walked up this dormant volcano in a day and, as every local Kiwi will tell you, the views from the top are awesome." 
(20 January 2007)

Cool new attraction 
NZ is making another quality addition to its roll call of tourist attractions with the development of a state-of-the-art glacier museum on the South Island's west coast. The NZ$6.5 million Hukawai Franz Josef Glacier Centre will feature a 200 sqm 10m high ice-climbing wall and a walk-through glacier exhibit designed and built by Wellington company 3-D Creative. The climbing wall will be the just fifth of its kind in the world and the first in the southern hemisphere. "Most income will come from the walk-through exhibit, but the real interest is in the ice-climbing wall," said Hukawai general manager Steve Henery in Stuff. "We'll be tapping into a novice ice-climbing market, and a big part of the experience will be instruction by trained guides before any climb." 
(27 November 2006)

Land of opportunity 
British citizens looking to work Down Under rushed to the Opportunities New Zealand expo held in Manchester last month. High on most people's reasons for moving was the laidback Kiwi lifestyle - as well as low unemployment, a warmer climate and the relative ease of buying property. "There are plenty of opportunities for migrants who have the qualifications that employers are looking for," said Department of Labour regional manager Andrew Lockhart in the Guardian. "If you add in what New Zealand has to offer in terms of lifestyle, there are compelling reasons for UK nationals with the right skills to explore their career options." In-demand immigrants include IT workers, health professionals, civil servants, accountants and trades people. 
(22 October 2006)

Best western 
Leading US travel site, Frommer's, featured a lengthy write-up on the South Island's spectacular west coast - "where there's more to see and do than there are residents." The writer's comprehensive holiday includes a jet boat ride with Haast River Safaris, a Heli Hike to Franz Josef Glacier, a drive up State Highway 6 to Hokitika (voted one of the world's top ten drives by Lonely Planet), and a luxurious stay at Lake Brunner Lodge. 
(11 May 2006)

Underwater drawcard
Wellington is adding shipwreck diving to its list of harbour-side activities, with the scuttling of a decommissioned NZ Navy frigate off Tapa Te Rangu Island. The F69 frigate is currently moored at Taranaki Wharf and will be sunk on November 12, creating an artificial reef. “The F69 reef will add an exciting new dimension to our tourism inventory, and will offer a new destination to the international dive market,” says Chris Lamers, General Marketing Manager for Positively Wellington Tourism.
(31 October 2005)
   

Triumph of nature
Cairo magazine writer admires NZ's greatest natural resource - the landscape itself - in a hiking tour of NZ. "Once we finally got [to the old mining town] it was easy to imagine what it had once looked like, with all the romantic and fanciful notions that such a place would bring to mind. Large trees had grown into areas they shouldn’t have been in, reclaiming their land and making it feel like a ghost town."
(16 June 2005)
  

Hot spots outed
“Scenic, comfortable and tolerant, NZ has always been an attractive destination for gay and lesbian travellers. In recent times things have been getting even better, with gay venues and activities popping up like drag queens in a cabaret act.” Planet Out offers a comprehensive guide for gay and lesbian tourists, from Wellington’s Out Takes Film Festival to Gay Pride Week in Christchurch.
(6 June 2005)
   

It’s got to be seen to be believed
A couple of years on and overseas visitors are still taking the Lord of the Rings tour of NZ. Says one US writer, “I knew that the movies were shot here, but I thought that much of the scenery was digitally enhanced. I didn't believe that there was such a landscape on this planet.”
(15 May 2005)
  

Information overload
Only Punjab profiles Greg Scowen’s tourism website, New Zealand Focus, which has grown from a university design project to a 500-page source of quality registration. The site includes a ‘NZ Tourism Directory,’ which allows registered tourism businesses to advertise their products and services free of charge.
(1 November 2004)
   

Something for everyone
NYT travels to Auckland and finds a sprawling and diverse city “finally growing into its own.” Recommended activities range from sipping coffee on Ponsonby Rd or visiting the Auckland Art Gallery to trawling the Otara and Auckland Fish Markets.
(31 October 2004)
   

Top spot
Martinborough Hotel features on the Observer’s list of top retreats for wine lovers. “If you're looking for a nice drop of Kiwi class, character and convenience, this is just the job … The bistro serves excellent food alongside a superb list of local wines, including the region's highly acclaimed Pinot Noirs. It's also smack in the middle of Martinborough Village, from which the vineyards are just a stroll away.”
(5 September 2004)
    

Four in twenty ain’t bad
Four NZ estates made the top 20 international accommodation list in Andrew Harper’s annual Hideaway Report; Blanket Bay (Queenstown), Huka Lodge (Taupo), Wharekauhau (Wairarapa), and Kauri Cliffs (Bay of Islands). “[This] is proof that the quality of what we have to offer matches the best in the world,” said Tourism NZ acting CEO David Wilks in the NZ Herald, adding that the Hideaway Report was considered “the ultimate travel guide.”
(4 September 2004)
   

Hadlee on Hanmer
Guardian Travel discovers Sir Richard Hadlee’s preferred holiday destination, Hanmer Springs. Hadlee explains his choice in the accompanying interview: “I've been going since I was nine, when the whole family would decamp there for holidays. It's quiet and low-key yet it offers so much. There's a golf course, the forest, horse-riding, mountain walks and great bike rides. The weather is also perfect - hot in summer, snowy and cold in winter.”
(31 July 2004)
   

Picturesque plunge
In a feature on celebrity hobbies, the Observer advises fans of sky-diving enthusiast Nicole Kidman to head to Queenstown. After all, “if you're going to take the plunge, you might as well do it at one of the world's most spectacular destinations.”
(20 June 2004)
   

Walking the South Island 
Berni Moestafa, contributor from Jakata, walks part of the South Island. "New Zealand has many faces. It is a sub-tropical forest with lush ferns and unusual old trees, or a strip of perfect white beach, an underground world of moist … caves; not just about mountains and lakes. There is much to see for a country about twice the size of Java. A third of the land is protected and despite much … wilderness the country is free of dangerous and poisonous animals, all this means to communicate … which the country benefits through a well-developed tourism industry.
(16 May 2004)

NZ has the eco edge
According to New Scientist, NZ is one of few countries actively promoting responsible eco-tourism. National Geographic clearly agrees, awarding NZ 78 points out of 100 in its annual eco-tourism survey. "The NZ Department of Conservation takes these challenges seriously. Their management of resources should be examples for many others."
(4 March 2004)
   

Roughing it?
Base Backpacker’s newly launched Sanctuary facilities – luxury, women’s-only levels in its Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch hostels – featured in the LA Times’ Youth Watch column. “With bungee jumping, backpacker buses and some of the best youth hostels in the world, NZ has been the country to watch for innovative services for young travellers.”
Free registration site
(15 February 2004)

Best of the rest
Sunday Business Post writer decides to test the theory that NZ is "the most beautiful place in the world," and finds the statement to be no exaggeration. "There is simply no enviable natural feature that New Zealand does not have, barring a desert or, perhaps, salt flats ... If you cherry-picked the best of the Alps, the Caribbean, Scandinavia and Ireland and crammed it all into two islands the size of Britain, you'd have New Zealand."
(8 February 2004)
  

The high life
The opening in March of NZ’s first and only luxury alpine retreat – the Whare Kea Chalet – rates a mention in both the Guardian and Observer. Guests reach the chalet via a “dazzling” 15 minute helicopter ride from the Whare Kea Lodge on Lake Wanaka. Also noted in the Guardian’s travel section is the addition of two villas to new-age Bay of Islands retreat, the Eagles Nest, and the recently launched Pouakai Circuit – a 2-3 day trek of the northern slopes of Mt Taranaki.
(17 January 2004)
    

Lions and tigers and keas, oh my!
National Post travel article muses on the many similarities between NZ and Canada: "The gracious wooden Victorian houses of Wellington could have been stolen from sea captains in the Maritimes. New Zealand's endless high country sheep ranches belong in Alberta. The imperial mountains that run like a spine through South Island are kissing cousins of our Rockies [...] Canada is an expanded version of New Zealand. Extreme cold aside, they have what we have, just on a more manageable scale. Tourists are directed to an uncannily Canadian log cabin in Featherston, inhabited by NZ's answer to the Crocodile Hunter - Tuatara Ted. Ted's taxidermy collection includes both native and exotic fauna - he has an ongoing arrangement with the Wellington Zoo.
(24 January 2004)
   

Off the beaten track
NZ is one of 30 “hot spots for switched on travellers” recommended by Lonely Planet for 2004. To avoid the inevitable horde of Rings fans, LP suggests taking the Pacific Coast Highway down the Coromandel Peninsula, stopping off at Hot Water Beach and Te Urewera National Park. “A real treat comes at the end of the highway in Napier, an Art Deco delight of a city with a lively atmosphere in the middle of excellent wine-producing country.”
(28 December 2003)
    

Blown away
Scotsman takes a bracing tour of Wellington, "New Zealand's Windy City.' Highlights include Te Papa ("spacious and informative, an emporium of knowledge"), Old St Paul's (a cosy bijou of splendour"), a 4WD circuit of the coastal seal colonies, and eateries Petit Lyon, Logan Brown and the Backbencher. As the night progresses, the writer notes that "Wellington - sober on the outside, a po-faced Presbyterian bastion by day - swings by night ... the populace itself was soaring so high it might never come down and not even the wind could keel us over. The city itself was being blown away."
(29 November 2003)
     

The 'Rapa's best kept secrets
Herald writer, Tim Dick, extols the many virtues of his Wairarapa homeland – which have thus far escaped the notice of Wellingtonian wine tourists. High on his list of recommendations are having a “three-scoop ice-cream from the Kia Ora dairy in the still daggy, drive-through town of Featherston,” looking out of place “swigging on pints of Tui” in Martinborough, visiting the lighthouse and seals at Cape Palliser, and enjoying “summer holidays Kiwi-style” at coastal gem, Castlepoint: “There are no swanky restaurants here, just a dairy that doubles as a cafe, some good surf, plenty of fishing and a landscape made for walking and doing sweet nothing.”
(18 October 2003)
    

Zealand of Approval
Waiheke retreat gets relaxed raves in Wallpaper: "There should be more lodges like Delamore. Abandoning the servere straight lines of urban architecture, this four-suite sanctuary is deliciously organic, setting off the rugged surroundings of Waiheke Island. All curves, wood and smooth plaster walls, the place feels like a warm cocoon. And, as each suite has its own terrace, open fire and stunning sea views, winding down at the end of the day guzzling a fine New Zealand wine as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean is a must." Delamore recently hosted Jonah Lomu's "secreti ve" wedding. 
(August 2003)
      

It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it.
SMH travel writer tours NZ in the lap of luxury, reviewing the likes of Huka Lodge, Okiato, Kauri Cliffs and Whare Kea. The verdict? "Lodges provide some of the country's finest accommodation … They are intimate, the service and food are exceptional, and the activities are adventurous and luxurious. [If] money is no object, moving from lodge to lodge is a classy and friendly way to travel NZ."
(12 April 2003)
   

Whistle-stop NZ
Lonely Planet experts offer Brits-in-need a two week itinerary of NZ. Reader response: "A two week(!) trip to NZ? We're UK bird-watchers who have just spent three months there. It's far too short a time…"
(27 April 2003)
   

Inside information
Harvard's popular Let's Go series has updated its NZ guide to include such hidden gems as Wanaka's Cinema Paradiso. Writer Mark Kirby: "In the new feature 'The Local Story,' [I] was able to give readers a feel for the popular hangout in a brief interview with the owner."
(26 January 2003)
         

Pleasure Island
Scotsman travel writer leaves the Southern Alps to Frodo and heads for the sunny shores of Waiheke Island, where bach culture and Gucci collide. "All kinds of homely structures are clinging to the hillside […] All have fabulously rampant gardens. And all are jostling for the best views of the Gulf. Suburbia in paradise."
(25 January 2003)
    

Keeping up appearances
New York Times heads to NZ to find out if the hype is for real and are pleasantly surprised. "Always seen as 'clean and green,' NZ is enjoying a special premium at the moment as Americans perceive it as a foreign destination largely safe from terrorism […] Queenstown is the Aspen of 30 years ago […] New Zealanders' wanderlust, access to the internet, and sincere interest in good food has produced a fusion of Asian and local ingredients and styles […] even a scenery snob like me found the vistas extraordinary…"
(3 January 2003)

Hostel heaven
LA Times' Youth Beat offers tips for the budget traveller. "NZ has a reputation for having the world's best hostels, and one thing that helps to keep the hostel owners on their toes is the Blue Guide annual survey." The free booklet compiles travellers' ratings of individual hostels throughout the country, allowing new visitors to avoid "grimy bathrooms, grumpy management and depressingly overcrowded dorms."
(13 October 2002)
    

"Land of the long white run" 
NZ slopes get the thumbs up from Oz ski-buffs. The Southern Alps: "bigger than the Swiss, French and Austrian Alps combined" - are praised for their variety, beauty, and value for the dollar in a comprehensive SMH report. 
(10 August 2002)
           

New Zealand: Closer to the edge
Independent editor at large Janet Street Porter finds she can't get close enough: "No wonder I've been back to New Zealand three times in three years. Sod the 20-something hours in the plane; the end result is always worth it: from walking to wine, New Zealand never disappoints. It's the best place I know to get away from everyone else ... Soon I'll be cooking like Peter Gordon."
(5 May 2002)
          

"Tramping is a way of life in New Zealand"
and we wear grass skirts ... Michigan's mlive.com  looks at New Zealand's "love affair with tramping", falls for the guide's gospel, and admires our extensive National Parks system, including 'the finest walk in the world': the Milford Track - "the diversity of scenery is amazing." And a 50-ish LA couple use the prospect of the Routeburn Track's "breathtaking vistas" as motivation to get off the couch.
(March/April 2002)
        

Journey to Middle Earth 
Following in the tradition of cine-tourism success prompted by such films as A Passage to India, Out of Africa, and Crocodile Dundee, New Zealand is enjoying its busiest ever summer tourism season, due in part to the box-office success of the Lord of the Rings." Was the the LotR Oscar for Best Cinematography scenery-assisted? 
(1 April 2002)
           

The response: "Anything but dull"
Ellie's provocations do not go unanswered with fans and citizens coming to the defence of the land and people. NZ enthusiast Marianne Curphey: "What makes this country different is that it doesn't regard wildness as something from which it has to protect its people. Climb a mountain and there are no signs telling you to stay away from the edge of cliffs, keep to the paths or not to drop litter. Kiwis seem to know all this already and don't need nannying. For a city dweller used to being bossed about by signs at almost every beauty spot in England, this comes as a bit of a surprise."
(06 March 2002)
       

Paradise found
The Southern Alps. The Tongariro volcanoes. The Fiordland rain forest. "There is something archetypal about the scenery here, as though someone copied the planet's most distinctive landscapes and jammed them all on two islands....New Zealand is the ultimate fantasy landscape". But middle earth acoloytes are warned to dig deeper: "Those who go to New Zealand just to chase hobbits are likely to miss the true enchantment of the land down under." 
(10 February 2002)
   

A pub crawler's guide to philosophy? Yeah right. 
US tour New Zealand "via its breweries, pubs and hard-case taverns", finding barmaids who "pour the purge with a scowl that could compete with the hog trophies on the walls", and brewers who freely offer insight into their profound philosophies: "There's more to life than drinking garbage [...] People who drink fancy beer don't drink a lot of beer".
(10 February 2002)
             

Fans flock to Tolkien trail
"Thanks to a bunch of elves, orcs and hobbits", New Zealand is "one of this year's most fashionable tourist destinations". Experts believe the trilogy will boost NZ's tourist industry by a third. On the edge we've always known, but now we're showing up on the radar: "New Zealand has historically had an image problem. To put it bluntly, people have seen it as the dullest place on earth with more sheep than people. The more people go on the Tolkien trail, go trekking, go bungee-jumping and visit the winelands and come back and tell their friends how good it was, the better."
(6 January 2002)
        

Tourism plumbs new depths in NZ
Tourists can now make in-depth explorations of New Zealand's Milford Sound aboard a four-passenger sub, descending 330 feet underwater.
(16 December 2001)
      

Healthy holiday
Allergic to mold? Your best holiday destination is "a snow-capped New Zealand mountain above the Pacific" where the elevation, snow, and ocean breezes kill dust mites and mold.
(1 July 2001)
        

Magical mystery tour
Bus till you bust with Magic Travellers Network, winners of  "Best Scheduled Transport" in the 2000 NZ Tourism Awards.
(4 November 2000)
              

Air NZ Freshener
Air New Zealand is helping the in-transit global citizen feel more at home by offering amenity kits to make passengers feel fresh as a daisy when they debark. First Class flyers get aromatherapy kits to combat the effects of jetlag and fatigue ... it includes Nasal Gel, made of tea tree oil, cajput, eucalyptus and benjoin, to prevent stuffiness and Awake Gel, which uses the oils of rosemary and juniper berries to revitalize and reinvigorate. 
(18 August 2000)

The Panthenon, the Pyramids, Eiffel Tower ... Christchurch?
In a Chicago Tribune survey of readers' favourite man-made destinations, Christchurch came in tied for 14th as the place most readers would like to travel to, ahead of the Taj Mahal, Leaning Tower of Pisa and Disney World. Milford Sound was the 8th favourite natural wonder, beating the Amazon, Andes and Ayers Rock.
(23 July 2000)
    

Xerox CEO finds copy of heaven in Godzone 
Asked to describe his most memorable trip, Dodo Cu-Unjieng, CEO of Philippine Fujitsu Xerox, answers (of course): New Zealand. "We were constantly overwhelmed by the beauty of the country. We would comment that when God created the world, he reserved the very best for this nation. It is picture perfect from every angle ... without a doubt it is the most beautiful country I have ever visited."
(16 July 2000)
      

Party-on in 'one of the hippest cities on the Pacific rim'
The Guardian reports that Auckland, 'more like the Riviera than the outskirts of Polynesia', is having a hard time coming down from the highs of the America's Cup victory. All part of 'a burgeoning café culture to challenge its Pacific rivals, Sydney and Seattle,' its vibe is fuelled by a caffeine fix at cosmopolitan hang-outs like Mecca, Brazil and Euro. 
(17 June 2000)  
          

Streaming coolness reveals beautiful form at Tekapo canal
From the Bangkok Post: "Simple and beautiful, these little stones reveal the time it takes to be 'cool' inside and out."
(20 May 2000)
     

 

If you're setting for a stylish sail - point your compass to Auckland
Global style bible 
Wallpaper launches its on-line version with a global navigator 'consular service' that profiles the world's most chilled destinations for the urban explorer - including a prominent guide to Auckland, advising on such essential issues such as "where to misbehave" and what to wear".
(April 2000)
 

Quietly Evolving: Auckland Smooth
"Auckland is a city without an edge and the locals don't seem to mind" - well it doesn't fit the brief, but ...
(12 March 2000)