Whale watching and the study of New Zealand’s diverse marine life is a major tourist attraction and a national pastime, but come winter the recreational activity takes on a more serious note.
Visitors to Mt Hutt ski-field, in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, are catching some spectacular ski action as the ‘capital of speed’ hosts international teams in training for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Some of the world's best young surfers will be riding the waves at Piha - on Auckland's wild west coast - when New Zealand plays host next January to the World Junior Surfing Champs.