PERCY SCENIC RESERVE

GETTING AROUND TO NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand has 3 big airports : Auckland, Wellington and Chrischurch. Auckland is the main international gateway for passenger arriving in New Zealand or into Chrischurch if they want to fly to the South Island. Wellington only handles flights to and from Australia.

Air New Zealand which is the national airline, has flight to Australia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, USA and Europe, directly or via Pacific Islands.

Auckland’s’ international terminal has visitor facilities and information centres, sightseeing and onward travel arrangements. Special elevators and toilet facilities are available for the disabled. Chrischurch and Wellington have similar facilities. All passenger leaving on international flights pay an airport departure tax NZ$25.

Taxis are expensive around NZ$50. Cheaper options are the Airbus, cost NZ$15 one way, or the Super Shuttle www.supershuttle.co.nz, a door to door service that can be booked in advance or at the Information Desk at the airport, cost NZ$24 one way.

SEATOUN TUNNEL

NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL - WELLINGTON

Anzac Day Wreathlaying Ceremony is held in this place.

WELLINGTON WATERFRONT

The Wellington's beautiful waterfront can be seen from level 6 of Te Papa Museum. Te Papa Museum is open everyday. General admission is free. From Te Papa, you can walk along the Wellington Waterfront to Oriental Bay Beach and enjoy the rest of your day.

ONE DAY IN AUTUMN

On the way to Eastbourne I saw these lovely ducks and seagulls enjoying the fine sunny autumn day in the Waiwhetu Stream, at Riverside Drive, Lower Hutt.

DO'S AND DON'T'S

New Zealanders are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality, and have an outgoing, relaxed attitude towards visitor. However, there are etiquettes we must follow. All Maori tribes, many sub-tribes and community groups, and even universities and schools still have their marae (courtyard/square/plaza). The protocol governing marae is highly formalised and it is very important that you seek permission before entering the whare runanga (meeting house) on any marae, and walk around the marae rather than across it. Footwear must be removed before going inside a whare runanga. It is more than likely, however, that your visit to a marae will be part of an organised tour, in which case you will be told what to do.











The Maori greeting kia ora, which means both ‘good health’ and ‘welcome’ accompanied by pressing noses, is answered with the same words.



Smoking. New Zealand is a health conscious nation and smoking is on the decline (it has the lowest rate of tobacco consumption of any First World country). Smoking is banned on all public transport and, since 2004, in all indoor workplaces, including restaurants, bars, and clubs.

New Zealand has neither mammals nor snakes but it does has small sandflies. If you are bitten by these insects, try to refrain from scratching for 30 minutes, the itching will go away.

It is also worth noting that the weather can be highly variable from one area to the next. One day you might be comfortable in a T-shirt and shorts, the next you might be better off in a rain jacket! the best advice is to come prepared for highly changeable conditions.

THE INTERISLANDER EXPERIENCE

Anyone who has ever done a road trip of New Zealand will have indelible memories of their Cook Strait crossing.

Interislander has three ferries, Arahua, Kaitaki and Aratere. They are big and have powerful ship.With over 5000 sailings each year, there will always be a crossing that fits in with your schedule. And, because all three are able to carry vehicles, it easy to take your car or rental car between the two islands. Just drive on and drive off. With your car safely parked you can enjoy the crossing.


Be sure to have plenty of film, or memory in your camera. How knows, you may even be lucky enough to be catch sight of a dolphin or three as you cruise along. If you are feeling hungry, there are cafes and bars in which you can enjoy a meal or a light snack, a soft drink or a glass or two of New Zealand beers and wines.

As well as offering some great outdoors scenery, Interislander has plenty to keep you entertained indoors as well. You can catch a new release movie in the onboard cinema, And for the kids, Interislander’s children’s play area are available and will keep them, hopefully, amused for the whole voyage.

Be sure you won't be late to arrive onboard if you travel when the clock changed in the begining of Daylight Saving Time.

AT TE PAPA MUSEUM

This is a kiwis display at Te Papa museum

TE PAPA TONGAREWA

Te Papa Tongarewa, which translated as "For Things Precious" is an institution proud of all things kiwi. It is situated on wellington's beautiful waterfront, the museum has quickly become a 'must see' on any visitor's itinerary.


Opened in 1998, the museum represents a state of the international art facility dedicated to showing New Zealanders country, the here and now, as well as the then-and-there. Te Papa is big, at 36,000 square metres and six level, far too big to take on one visit. But if you don’t have the time or opportunity to come back again and again, you can take an informative one hour guided tour of Te Papa (admission charges apply).


There are rooms and 121 interactive exhibits in Te Papa, and some of them specifically targeted at children. There are also new multimedia adventure, where you can create the action or venture into Our Space. it's fun. Visit Te Papa our space here to discover the interesting images and clips.


Everyone leaves Te Papa with their own set of favourites. Te Papa is open everyday. General admission is Free.

THE COLOSSAL SQUID IN WELLINGTON

The colossal squid has caught the world's attention. This female colossal squid is the most massive invertebrate ever discovered, with 4,2 m long and holds the record for the world's largest eye measuring 27cm in diameter, and weighting 495kg. Nearly half a tonne!.

The colossal squid was landed by the New Zealand fishing vessel, the San Aspiring, in the Ross Sea in 2007 and gifted to Te Papa by the Ministry of Fisheries.
Stored for a year in a freezer in Te Papa’s Tory St facility, it was defrosted in April 2008 and examined by a team of international scientists,

with marine biologist Dr Steve O’Shea (Director, Earth & Oceanic Sciences Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology and Colossal Squid expert), leading the way.When you are in Wellington, dont forget to visit Te Papa and come face to face with Te Papa colossal squid. You may explore the life of a squid through computer interactive or watch the documentary on their television. the admission is free.

For further information about colossal squid exhibit, you are welcome to visit Te Papa website here.

Oh, yeah, do you know what's the difference between Colossal and Giant squid? Find out the difference: click here and here.