There’s a reason the sun shines on New Zealand before anywhere else - every new day in Aotearoa is something to cherish! Small, remote and thinly populated, yes, but NZ punches well above its weight with its outlandish scenery, fabulous festivals, superb food and wine, and magical outdoor experiences. Equally impressive is NZ’s potent, mainstream Maori culture. This is a country that recognises and celebrates its indigenous people - the world is a kinder, gentler, more respectful place down here! And while the fanfare surrounding the Lord of the Rings trilogy is waning, visiting the real-life Middle-earth still has a geeky allure - LOTR director Peter Jackson's filmmaking prowess still holds Wellington (aka ‘Wellywood’) in its thrall.
In 2007, around 2.2 million overseas visitors tramped, wheeled, wined and dined across the country, up almost 40% from a relatively meagre 1.6 million in 1999. But at what cost? Extra visitors strain the clean, green environment NZ is renowned for, and all this wilderness frenzy is having an impact: the skies above Franz Josef Glacier buzz with droning aeroplanes, tourists still shampoo in creeks, and locals simply avoid entire chunks of NZ because of the tourist hordes. In response, the Department of Conservation (DOC) has implemented a booking system for its Great Walks - there are nine including the Milford Track, Routeburn Track and Abel Tasman Coast Track - to avoid overcrowding and minimise environmental damage. The NZ tourism industry is embracing all things ‘eco’, while regionally, eateries and farmers markets selling local produce present sustainable options. Regardless, hardcore environmentalists claim the industry and government aren’t moving fast enough. Drought and climate change are fanning the flames...
