What is New Zealand Famous For?
- Author :
- TATA AIG Team
- ●
- Last Updated On :
- 16/02/2024
New Zealand is a well-known tourist destination renowned for its surreal natural beauty, indigenous Maori culture, and sheep, to name a few. The Maori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, which means the land of the long white cloud.
New Zealand is a small island nation nestled in the Pacific Ocean, with a population of 4.5 million people. Popularly known for its diverse landscapes, the best places in New Zealand are not limited to just the natural terrains. It features much more to explore for travellers of different age groups.
New Zealand is famous for its exciting rugby matches, exquisite wines, and thrilling adventure activities, offering many interesting experiences and places to explore.
Here is a list of famous things in New Zealand and places you must know before planning an itinerary.
Things New Zealand is famous for
Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands is one of those New Zealand tourist attractions that offers a perfect blend of nature and interesting activities. It is particularly popular for boat and yacht rides for visitors.
It is home to numerous exotic aquatic animals, including penguins, whales, and dolphins, making it an ideal destination for a family visit.
Besides the rich marine life, the Bay of Islands features 144 stunning islands around itself, which lists it as one of the largest New Zealand tourist attractions.
Auckland - The City of Sails
Auckland might not be the capital city of New Zealand, but it is the largest and internationally the most diverse city in the country. It is built on a volcanic landscape, surrounded by the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, hence the name City of Sails.
Auckland is one of those famous tourist places in New Zealand that attracts numerous boating enthusiasts worldwide. The city is surrounded by scenic islands, lush rainforests, and volcanoes. Additionally, it boasts stunning gold and black beaches, making it a haven for beach lovers.
For culture lovers, Auckland offers excellent art galleries and international music concerts.
In addition, for adventure enthusiasts, it features bungee jumping opportunities from the most elevated free-standing structure in the Southern Hemisphere, the Auckland Sky Tower.
Besides, you can mount the Sky Tower to relish the stunning bird's eye view of the marvellous city of Aukland.
Rugby - New Zealand's National Sport
New Zealanders, or the 'Kiwis', are passionate about rugby, their national sport. New Zealand is famous for its 'All Blacks', the national rugby team of New Zealand. There is a dynamic yet friendly rivalry between the various rugby regions nationwide.
While visiting New Zealand, there is no reason to miss experiencing a live rugby match, especially with a rugby stadium in every significant town. Interestingly, the
All Blacks start every international match with a traditional Maori war dance called the Haka. Experiencing such cultural traditions in New Zealand is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you must not miss.
Abel Tasman National Park
A major New Zealand speciality is its vast lands of national parks. The Abel Tasman National Park is one such national park you must consider exploring in New Zealand.
The great wilderness of this national park is an icy location, ideal for skating lovers. Here, you can indulge in adventure-filled activities like skating, camping, hiking, trekking, and snorkelling.
Additionally, you can spot snow wildlife, including penguins, oystercatchers, wekas, wood pigeons, and more. If you are interested in wildlife photography, visiting the Abel Tasman National Park is something you should not miss.
Maori Culture
New Zealand is famous for its Maori heritage and culture. The Maori are New Zealand's indigenous community from the 14th century.
To best explore and understand the cultural traditions in New Zealand, you can meet the Maoris and understand more about their tattoos. Their tattoos hold much cultural significance and grace.
Besides, the Maoris boast their history, language, customs, and cuisine, all of which are driven by New Zealand's roots. For the best experience, you can include visiting a Maori village in your itinerary.
Additionally, ensure not to miss the Maori hangi, a Maori delicacy that would provide your taste buds with a distinctive culinary experience.
Wines
New Zealand features more than ten wine regions and sub-regions, primarily nestled along the east coastlines of its North and South Islands. Every region is blessed with distinct climatic conditions and soils that help create a wide array of popular New Zealand wines.
New Zealand wine is in high demand, and about 90% of the total production is exported. The Marlborough region in New Zealand is well-known for producing the delightful Sauvignon Blanc, the most loved New Zealand speciality. Yet another popular wine you must taste is Pinot Noir.
The most renowned wine regions in New Zealand include Marlborough, Hawks Bay, and Martinborough. Other famous wine-producing regions include Northland, Canterbury/Waipara, Auckland, Gisborne, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Wairarapa, Nelson, and Central Otago.
While visiting New Zealand, enrol in a vineyard visiting and wine-tasting session, and do not forget to carry a couple of bottles back home.
Lord of The Rings
Post the release of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" movie trilogies, New Zealand is popularly known as "Middle Earth." The stunning landscapes that offered the backdrop of these Oscar-winning movies attract numerous tourists each year.
As a fan of The Lord of the Rings, you can explore multiple iconic filming sites in New Zealand, including Hobbiton (The Shire), Mount Ngāuruhoe (Mount Doom), and Mount Victoria in Wellington (Hobbiton Woods), among others.
With more than a hundred filming locations, you can embark on a tour to explore some of the most stunning landscapes ever. Tours from Queenstown offer a chance to visit the main filming spots in the South Island.
In addition, visiting the permanent Hobbiton village will bring the Middle Earth to life!
Rotorua
Another one of the most unique things to see in New Zealand is the renowned geothermal region named Rotorua. It is a popular tourist destination owing to its unique topography.
Therefore, this location is ideal for experiencing the diversity of nature while gaining knowledge of the various features of a geothermal location. Moreover, here, you witness some of nature's marvellous creations and attractions, like boiling mud pools, volcanic craters, and steaming geysers.
And the list does not end here; Rotorua also offers visitors hiking, mountain biking, skydiving, and trekking opportunities.
Sheep
A unique fact about New Zealand is that it houses five times more sheep than people. They do not wander in the cities, but as you leave the city, it is highly likely for you to spot numerous sheep wandering in the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand.
Numerous regional sheep farms invite tourists to enjoy an authentic farming experience amidst this breathtaking setting. New Zealand features several sheep farms that beautifully dot its rich landscape.
But the South Island, with its rugged terrain, is particularly significant for its rich sheep farming history, especially in the Mackenzie Basin.
A special mention is to try out New Zealand's national dish, roasted lamb when visiting areas rich in sheep.
Hiking
Some of New Zealand's famous places include stunning landscapes and undisturbed natural beauty. It hosts some of the finest hiking trails on the planet, offering an ideal experience when explored on foot.
The vast expanse of 11,000 square miles of stunning landscapes and 13 New Zealand national parks offer exceptional opportunities to unwind the wilderness. The extensive number of hiking trails offer something for every level hiker, making it well-suited for all age groups.
While hiking the trails of New Zealand, you can enjoy the refreshing sea breeze and explore volcanic landscapes. On the South Island, you can explore Marlborough's bays and renowned sounds or challenge your endurance in the Southern Alps.
The North Island offers the Coast to Coast Walk, showcasing Auckland city views and cultural heritage landmarks. Moreover, you can discover the scenic Red Rocks Reserve on a coastal walk near Wellington.
Overall, hiking is a prime attraction in New Zealand, providing an experience of the country's untouched natural beauty.
Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park is the epitome of New Zealand's natural beauty. The vast vistas of this national park, packed with towering volcanoes, hot springs, lush greenery, and pristine lakes, make it a wonderland for nature lovers.
With ample open spaces, it has several hiking trails and camping spots. The villages of Tongariro National Park, Raurimu, Whakapapa, and Erua are situated at the centre of this volcanic destination.
They provide various accommodation options for all budgets and travellers. The options range from family-friendly units to backpacker hostels, luxury suites, and boutique lodges. Besides, you will discover various dining spots, drinking places, and exciting activities.
Pavlova
New Zealand is renowned for its cuisine, and a dessert named Pavlova is worth mentioning. This mouth-watering sweet dish consists of marshmallows, meringue, fresh fruits like kiwi, and whipped cream.
The delightful combination of a fluffy meringue filling and a crispy crust results in a delicious combination of flavours and textures.
Pavlova is a dish primarily made and enjoyed during major holidays and important days like birthdays and Christmas. During such occasions, the dish is decorated using colourful candy.
To Conclude
A trip to New Zealand is like a dynamic vacation of diverse experiences packaged into an exciting adventure. It features something to explore and do for visitors of all age groups and tastes.
What further elevates the overall experience is its rich culture and fine cuisine. No matter how carefully and extensively you plan your trip, the list of attractions is so vast that you may inevitably miss something.
However, whether you plan a short or long trip, there are always chances of uncertain instances - from geographical setbacks to robbery to losing your luggage. Therefore, when planning a trip, especially in a foreign nation, securing your trip from start to end is important to enjoy your visit without worries.
Carefully analysing and buying comprehensive travel insurance can resolve all your travel concerns. A travel policy aims to secure your travel by providing financial security during your visit against potential risks, including medical emergencies, flight delays and cancellations, loss of luggage and passport, etc.
It is crucial to book a suitable travel insurance policy. To get the best insurance plan, visit the Tata AIG website, compare travel insurance plans, and book the one that suits your travel needs the most.
Tata AIG offers multiple travel insurance plans to cater to your unique requirements. It also provides easy purchase and claim settlement options with 24*7 expert assistance.
FAQS
What are the famous wine areas in New Zealand?
Here are some famous wine areas in New Zealand:
Wairarapa
Central Otago
Nelson
Hawke's Bay
Waitaki
Marlborough
What is New Zealand's most famous wine?
Sauvignon Blanc is New Zealand's most renowned wine. It is a green-skinned grape with a unique flavour.
What are the famous foods in New Zealand?
Some famous food items of New Zealand include:
Whitebait
Bluff oysters
Green-lipped muscles
Fish and Chips
Paua - Maori name for an edible sea snail
Kumara
Pavlova
Hangi
Hokey Pokey ice cream
Kiwi Burger
Rewena bread - a form of sourdough bread
Meat Pie
Crayfish
Fairy Bread
Lamb
Disclaimer / TnC
Your policy is subjected to terms and conditions & inclusions and exclusions mentioned in your policy wording. Please go through the documents carefully.