Electricity

The normal electricity supply is 230 volts 50 hertz alternating current

(AC).

3 pin appliance socket from a viewpoint looking at the wall or a plug seen

from the inside as one would while wiring it up.

phase ----- / \ ---- neutral

(or live)

| --------- earth

If the wires you have are brown, blue, and green [yellow or white striped],

then; brown = phase, blue = neutral, green = earth. The old code is red,

black, green respectively. If you have ANY doubts, please consult a

qualified electrician.

Most hotels will have shaver plugs suitable for all international appliance

of low power rating, and which will supply 110 and 230 volts. These plugs

may be for shavers only.

TV Information

New Zealand runs on PAL G on UHF. This gives the same picture and sound

spacing (5.5MHz), but the channel spacing is slightly wider - the same as

that used for 6MHz intercarrier spacing. Standard 50 hertz field rate, 25

hertz frame rate. We also use NICAM for stereo tv, rather than one of the

various analogue systems.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the locally-vertical component of the field is

in the opposite direction to where it would be an equivalent distance north

of the equator. This affects the colour convergence of video monitors. It's

not a *huge* difference, and it took computer companies until the late

1980s' to wake up to the difference and ship different monitor versions to

New Zealand, South America, and Australia. Northern hemisphere monitors

*work* but the colours won't be as crisp as you'd expect.

North Island

In ancient Maori mythology, the North Island is Te Ika a Maui (the Fish of

Maui). According to the story, Maui was fishing with his brothers when he

hooked the North Island from the ocean. His ravenous brothers, ignoring

orders not to touch the fish, began gnawing at its flesh, causing the fish

to writhe and thresh about - this frenzy of movement is the reason behind

the island's undulant and mountainous landscape.

There are snow-fringed mountains in the Tongariro National Park,

exclamatory geysers and bubbling mud pools in Rotorua and a profusion of

rivers, lakes and streams. But the North Island is more than rips and

fissures: it has its share of rolling pastures, forest-clad hills and

stretches of long, sandy beaches. It also has New Zealand's two largest

cities - Auckland to the north and the country's capital, Wellington, to

the south - which are focal points for arts and entertainment, historic

buildings, great dining and a variety of accommodation.

Auckland

The largest city in New Zealand, Auckland, is almost enclosed by water and

covered in volcanic hills. Auckland has a spectacular harbour and bridge

(and a fanatical number of yachting enthusiasts) which has earned it the

sobriquet 'City of Sails'. A magnet for the people of the South Pacific

islands, Auckland now has the largest concentration of Polynesians in the

world. Highlights include the Auckland Museum, which houses a memorable

display of Maori artefacts and culture, and Kelly Tarlton's Underwater

World & Antarctic Encounter, a unique simulacrum of ocean and exploration

activities.

There is great shopping in the suburbs of Parnell and Newmarket, well-

preserved Victorian buildings in Devonport, Polynesian handicrafts, cafes,

restaurants and markets in Ponsonby, panoramic views of the city from the

extinct volcano One Tree Hill, and good swimming beaches including

Kohimarama and Mission Bay.

The Hauraki Gulf off Auckland is dotted with islands such as Rangitoto,

Great Barrier and Waiheke, which have affordable accommodation, a number of

walks and diving possibilities and, in the case of Waiheke Island,

excellent art galleries. Auckland is also a good starting-point for

visiting the amazingly scenic Coromandel Peninsula and Hauraki Plains

regions to the south-east.

Northland

Northland is the cradle of both Maori and Pakeha culture: it was here that

the Pakeha first made contact with the Maori, the first whaling settlements

were established and the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Often referred to

as the 'winterless north' because of its mild year-round temperatures,

Northland has a number of interesting museums (Otamatea Kauri & Pioneer

Museum), glorious, blonde beaches (Ninety Mile Beach) and diving spots

(Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, reckoned by Jacques Cousteau to be

among the top 10 diving sites in the world), historic towns (Pahia and

Waitangi), game fishing (Bay of Islands) and flora and fauna reserves

(Waipoua Kauri Forest).

Great Barrier Island

Great Barrier Island at the mouth of the Hauraki Gulf has acres of long,

white sandy beaches on its eastern shore, deep-water sheltered inlets on

its western shore, and a rugged spine of steep ridges running down the

centre. The 80,000 hectare preserve has a number of walking tracks which

combine old logging trails and tramways. Natural hot springs, towering

kauri forests and a serene aura make it a perfect escape. Flights and

ferries operate from Auckland, 88 km south.

Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty, given its name by Captain Cook in 1769 because of the

number of thriving Maori settlements, has a consistently mild climate year-

round, good beaches and is the home of the kiwi fruit - a fuzzy, brown,

sweet-tasting fruit and a major source of export revenue for the region.

The city of Tauranga offers activities such as jet-skiing, water-skiing,

windsurfing, parasailing, diving, surfing, fishing and harbour cruises.

Across the inlet from Tauranga is Mt Maunganui, a popular holiday resort

with beaches and saltwater pools. Rotorua, one of the most visited cities

in New Zealand, is famous for its kinetic thermal activity (Whakarewarewa

is the best known site and the location of Pohutu, an active geyser that

gushes forth every hour), a large and influential Maori population, trout

springs and wildlife parks.

East Cape

The East Cape, as opposed to the Bay of Plenty, is little visited, but its

isolation belies an area endowed with native forest, wild coasts and

picturesque bays, inlets and coves. During the summer, the coastline turns

vermilion with the explosion of flowers from the pohutukawa trees lining

the shores.

Cape Runaway

A succession of picturesque bays leads to Whangaparaoa (Cape Runaway), at

the very tip of the East Cape. The beaches are deeply shelved and littered

with driftwood, and the old Anglican church, nestled under Norfolk pines on

a lone promontory, should not be missed. Cape Runaway can only be reached

by foot and it's advisable to seek permission before going on private land.

Central North Island

Hamilton, New Zealand's largest inland city, is surrounded by some of the

world's richest dairy farming and agricultural regions. It is a city of

museums, zoos and parks, and offers river cruises on the Waikato River, the

country's longest (425 km). Further south is the region of King Country,

once the stronghold of powerful Maori chiefs. The town of Waitomo is famous

for its limestone caves and subterranean black-water rafting (a wetsuit,

caver's helmet, inner tube and abundant courage are all that's required)

while Te Kuiti, named after the belligerent Maori leader Te Kooti, is

recognised as 'the shearing capital of the world'. Even further south is

Taumaranui, which makes a good base for kayaking, rafting and jet-boating

on the Whanganui River.

The west coast region of Taranaki is dominated by Mt Taranaki (also

officially known as Mt Egmont), a dormant volcano rising 2518 metres. Other

highlights in Taranaki include the Egmont National Park and the region's

world-class surfing and windsurfing beaches. New Zealand's largest lake,

and the geographical centre of the North Island, is Lake Taupo. Dotted

around its shores are towns with cheap accommodation and great dining

possibilities (trout is a speciality). Nearby are the spectacular Tongariro

and Whanganui national parks; the former is renowned for its ski slopes

while the latter has several excellent walking tracks and recreational

water activities on the Whanganui River. East of the national parks is the

Art Deco city of Napier, with its splendid weather and beautiful beaches.

Wellington

The capital city of New Zealand, Wellington, is situated on a splendid

harbour at the southern tip of the North Island. Often maligned by its

northern counterparts for its ill-tempered weather - the winds are often of

gale-force calibre in winter - Wellington is a lively city of culture and

arts (with festivals almost every month), and great ethnic restaurants and

cafes. It is also home to the country's government and national treasures.

Buildings of interest include: the modernist Beehive (the executive wing of

Parliament); the old Government Building (one of the largest all-wooden

buildings in the world); the National Library (housing the most

comprehensive collection of books in the country); and the Katherine

Mansfield Memorials (the property where the famous author was born in

1888). In addition, there are museums, a zoo and stunning views of the city

from atop Mt Victoria. Cuba Street has great shopping, Thorndon has

historic sites of interest, Lambton Quay is the primary business street and

Mt Victoria is the place to go for cheap accommodation and dining.

South Island

The South Island crams in glaciers, fiords, turbulent rivers, trout

streams, rainforests, mossy beech forests, palmy beaches and a number of

mountains that top 3000 metres - a repertoire to inspire even the most

sluggish arms, legs and lungs. It's an island where you can fish, paddle,

pedal, raft, hike and walk in some of the most gorgeous scenery on earth.

Most journeys begin in postcard-perfect Picton, where the ferry from the

North Island arrives, or Christchurch, a city under the delusion that it is

somewhere in southern England. From either of these points, you can make

your way to any number of attractions: the labyrinth of tributaries known

as the Marlborough Sounds; nearby Nelson, a city famous for its wines and

succulent seafood; Mount Cook National Park, where New Zealand's tallest

peaks are found; Queenstown, nestled beneath the saw-toothed peaks of The

Remarkables; and, further south, the reserves of podocarp forests and fauna

found in the Catlins. The people, much like the weather and topography, are

robust. The roads are excellent for a self-drive holiday.

Marlborough Sounds

The convoluted waterways of the Marlborough Sounds, formed when the sea

invaded a series of river valleys after the ice ages, are home to bays,

islands and coves. Separated by forested knuckles of land that rise from

the sea, the Sounds are an exhilarating place with activities such as sea

kayaking and white-water rafting and interesting wildlife that includes sea

gannets, tuatara lizards (relics from the dinosaur age), even carnivorous

snails! There are also great walks, including the Queen Charlotte Walkway

(a 58-km track among lush forest) and the Abel Tasman Coastal Track in the

Abel Tasman National Park (220 sq km of beaches, sea coves, forest and

granite gorges).

Wine, good food and a climate conducive to year-round activity are features

of the towns of Nelson, Picton and Blenheim. The crayfish from Kaikoura are

superb but it is a town famous for much larger fry - sperm whales.

Whalewatch and dolphin swimming tours are manifold and inexpensive.

West Coast

Wild, craggy and desolate, the West Coast is an area buffeted by heavy seas

and drenching rain. Keri Hulme, the Booker Prize winner, calls the region

home, drawing inspiration from its 'bleak and ascetical' landscape.

Understandably, those who live here - commonly known as `Coasters' - occupy

a unique place in the national folklore. Activities include canoeing and

riding the rapids down Moeraki River, fishing for brown trout in the lakes,

watching penguins and fur seals lazing on the greenstone beaches, and

squelching through forests (which are much to the liking of the rapacious

ringtail possum).

Harihari

Harihari, a small town on the West Coast, made world headlines in 1931,

when Guy Menzies completed the first solo flight across the Tasman Sea from

Australia. The journey was hassle-free but the landing proved a disaster:

the aircraft overturned in a swamp, and Menzies, on undoing his safety

straps, fell - much to the delight of the cheering locals - head first into

the mud. The town is now known as a base for coastal walks, birdwatching

and trout and salmon fishing.

Westland National Park

The Westland National Park has over 60 glaciers, with the most accessible

being the Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier: you can almost hear the

strangulated groans, tweaks and gurgles as they slowly advance down the

mountainside. The town of Greymouth is the western terminal for the

passenger train TranzAlpine Express, which winds its way over the Southern

Alps - through beech forests, glacial valleys and mountains - on to

Christchurch.

Canterbury

The hub of the South Island, Canterbury is one of the driest and flattest

areas of New Zealand. The predominant feature of the region is the

capacious Canterbury Plains, situated between the coast and the mountain

foothills, which is devoted to farming and agriculture.

Paradoxically, Canterbury contains most of New Zealand's highest mountains

such as Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. The area's major city is Christchurch which

has genteel, sylvan suburbs, up-market eateries and cafes, and is home to

the Wizard, a Rabelaisian figure who dominates lunchtime discussion in

Cathedral Square. Gently steering its course through the city and suburbs

is the ankle-deep, willow-lined Avon River - perfect for punting.

To the east of Christchurch is the feral coastline of Banks Peninsula,

dominated by gnarled volcanic peaks; it is also the location of Lyttelton,

which has excellent arts and crafts stores. A good day trip from

Christchurch is to the Frenchified town of Akaroa which boasts the best

fish & chips in the country. West of Christchurch is the settlement of

Arthurs Pass, which is a great base for tackling walks, climbs and skiing

in Arthurs Pass National Park. To the south lie the picturesque towns of

Geraldine and Fairlie, the high, tussock-grass plateau known as the

Mackenzie Country and the World Heritage Area that is Mt Cook National

Park. The imperious Mt Cook (3755 metres) is the highest peak in

Australasia, and offers plenty of walks and unlimited scope for tramping,

rock climbing, lung-cleansing and sightseeing.

Copland Pass

The gruelling four-day Copland Pass trek in the Mt Cook National Park is a

once-in-a-lifetime adventure that can only be completed in good weather by

well-prepared, experienced teams or with professional guides. The terrain

varies from glaciers and snowfields to rainforest and thermal pools. The

pass is 2150 metres high and is surrounded by dramatic 3000-metre peaks.

This is no stroll and should only be attempted by professional masochists

experienced in the use of ice axes, crampons and alpine route-finding.

Apparently the sense of achievement in crossing the pass entitles you to

enter an elite club of euphoric high-achievers.

Queenstown

Queenstown, set in a glacial valley on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, is a town

synonymous with hairy adventures: parasailing; schussing down icy rapids in

jet boats; white-water rafting; and bungy jumping off Skippers Canyon

Bridge - the latest and most terrifying stunt is plunging 300 metres from a

helicopter.

Fiordland National Park

Fiordland National Park, which takes its name from its glacier-carved

coast, is a wilderness of mountains, ice and beech forests. The scenic

climax of Fiordland is undoubtedly Milford Sound where cruise ships bob toy-

like beneath the shadows of towering mountains and waterfalls. There are

classic alpine walks, including the Routeburn Track (in Mt Aspiring

National Park), the Hollyford Valley and the Milford Track (billed as the

'finest in the world').

Otago Peninsula

Otago Peninsula is a significant wildlife area with woodland gardens,

albatross, penguin and seal colonies, plus aquariums, museums and historic

sites. Dunedin, a student city on the peninsula, is a hub for arts and

entertainment, and is famous for producing an eclectic pool of

internationally successful rock bands. Scottish to its core, the city has a

rich architectural heritage with many museums, galleries and castles.

Southland

There are a series of huge lakes in the area, including Hawea and nearby

Wanaka in Otago, and Lake Te Anau in Southland. Te Anau, gouged out by a

huge glacier, is New Zealand's second largest lake and features caves full

of glow worms, and waterfalls and whirlpools. The Catlins, the largest

remaining area of native forest on the east coast of the South Island, is

between Invercargill and Dunedin. It has reserves of rarefied plants and

trees, plus fauna such as fur seals, sea lions, penguins and ducks.

Stewart Island

New Zealand's third largest island, Stewart Island is an ornithologist's

delight: tuis, parakeets, kakas, bellbirds, fernbirds and robins abound.

The kiwi, rare in both the North and South Island, is common over much of

the island, particularly around beaches. A good network of walking tracks

and huts exist in the northern part of the island but the south is

forgettable, being undeveloped and isolated. The people (a paltry 450 in

all) are hardy, taciturn and suspicious of mainlanders, the weather is

changeable and the accommodation is basic; there are, however, excellent-

value homestays on the island.

Страницы: 1, 2, 3