New Zealand Geography

Most of the country’s residents make their living in some form from the land so the temperate climate, with good rainfall, and lots of sunshine is important to New Zealanders. The season in New Zealand do not have extreme temperature variations. The far north has sub-tropical weather in mid-summer while in mid-winter the very southern areas can be below freezing. In summer, the average maximum temperature is between 20 - 30ºC and in winter between 10 - 15ºC. But the weather can change suddenly due to tropical storms or cold fronts. Most of New Zealand receives about 2000 hours of sunshine every year and with daylight savings daylight can last until 9 in the evening in the summer. There is very little pollution so the sun’s ray can be quite direct. Rainfall is moderately high and spread throughout the year making it the perfect climate for farming, winemaking, and horticulture.

New Zealand has about the same amount of coastline as the mainland of the United States. It is a much smaller country but its jagged coastline has deep bays and harbors. The stunning coastline features towering peaks, beaches, arctic fjords and tropical waters. New Zealand’s famed 90 miles beach is on the northwest coast of the northern island. The huge sand dunes remind visitors of the Sahara desert. Both the north and south islands have great surfing. The small town of Ragland is part of the world circuit of surfing due t its long surf rides.

New Zealand’s fourteen national parks protect a varied landscape and an abundance of wildlife and vegetation. From the sacred places of the Maori to its volcanic features the Tongariro National Park is on the north island. The Fiordland National Park in the southwestern part of New Zealand boast snow-covered peaks, deep mountain lakes, forest and grasslands and has been heralded as one of the great wilderness areas in the Southern Hemisphere. Rock climbers, cave explorers and canoeists flock to Paparoa National Park with its pancake rock formations, blow holes, canyons, cliffs, and dramatic coastline. Egmont national park is the home of the volcano Taranaki along with two older volcanoes; Kaitake and Pouakai. Besides climbing Mt. Taranaki, visitors come here to walk through forest and wetlands, to visit waterfalls, and to view the rural countryside of New Zealand.

New Zealand is popular with tourists from all over the world. Hikers, backpackers, walkers and nature lovers come here for the amazing scenery and the famous hiking paths. One famous path is the Milford Track known by hikers worldwide. The Te Araroa Trail is a new walking route that crosses the length of the country. In 3000 kilometers trekkers will cross forests, go over mountain passes past volcanoes, along the coastline and river valleys and through seven cities in the 4 months it takes to complete the journey. Since the filming of the Lord of the Rings visitors have come to see the landscapes from the films. Ecotourism is increasing with trips to sites like the Otago Peninsula where visitors can see penguins, fur seals, sea lions and albatross. Travelers can also pump up their adrenaline with white water rafting down the Tutea falls, bungee jumping over the Waikato River Valley, or sky diving over the Bay of Islands. New Zealand’s climate is perfect for winemaking. A food and wine tour can take travelers to the tasting rooms of famous vineyards, gourmet restaurants, local farm markets, and South Pacific cooking classes.

We would like to extend a big thankyou to New Zealand Accommodation who provided us with our outstanding New Zealand Hotels during our school research excursion. New Zealand Holidays provided an exceptional experience.

New Zealand has a spine of mountain ranges that run north to south along the two islands. Two-thirds of the South Island are mountains and about a fifth of the North Island is mountainous. Since New Zealand topography is mostly mountainous it affords spectacular views and opportunities for outdoor experiences. For sports enthusiasts New Zealand’s mountains feature skiing and snowboarding in the winter and trout fishing and mountain biking in the warmer months. Hikers can see the scenic volcanic fields on the Tongario alpine crossing with its multi-colored lava flows, emerald lakes and an active volcanic crater. For a less rustic experience, the alpine resort of Queensland has upscale restaurants, spas, and golf courses along with outdoor activities like skiing and mountain biking. Mount Aspiring National Park is a must-see for mountaineers. Its wilderness, high alpine passes, and scenic river valleys have three designated hiking tracks. In Egmont National Park is the peak of Mount Taranaki, a challenging climb is rewarded with spectacular views. The glaciers of the Southern Alps and the sunken mountains of the Milford Sound in Fiordland are some of the most spectacular scenery on the South Island.