Personalities

Kiwi teenager Paige Hareb - one of New Zealand’s most promising young athletes - made waves in the international surfing world by claiming a place on the coveted ‘Dream Tour’.

Ruth Pretty is a household name in New Zealand, recognised for her range of cookbooks, newspaper columns, TV appearances and catering business.

Kiwi Hollywood star Sam Neill owns the Two Paddocks vineyard in Queenstown in the South Island.

Sam Neill may be an international man of movies, but his heart belongs to New Zealand – and you can pinpoint the spot to three paddocks in the ruggedly beautiful region of Central Otago.

While Sir Edmund Hillary became one of the world’s most famous explorers, his mountaineering days began close to home on the slopes of Aoraki Mount Cook in New Zealand.

New Zealand born yachting legend Sir Peter Blake is the only sailor to have taken part in the first five Whitbread Round the World races. He also led his country to two successive America’s Cup victories.

Sirocco may be covered in feathers but there’s nothing flighty about the world’s first official ‘spokesbird’ for conservation.

With New Zealand being the backdrop for several Hollywood films, ‘Down Under’ has been discovered by film-stars and movie directors, as well as celebrities.

New Zealand is the homeland of star Hollywood actors, including Russell Crowe, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin, Temuera Morrison, Cliff Curtis and Keisha Castle-Hughes.

New Zealand film makers recognised on the world stage include Sir Peter Jackson, Jane Campion, Andrew Niccol, Niki Caro, Vincent Ward, Geoff Murphy, and Taika Waititi.