Since man first stepped ashore on the islands of New Zealand, the sea and sailing have played a vital role in the lives of New Zealanders.

Since New Zealander AJ Hackett dived off the Eiffel Tower 20 years ago, his bungy-jumping craze has continued to scale new heights of daring.

She’s known as one of New Zealand’s ‘rat race refugees’, but Rebecca Shawyer’s decision to throw in a high profile international food career for a lifestyle change is putting her back on the world stage – this time for a different kind of handiwork.

A conservator specialising in Māori and Pacific objects has turned an expert hand to restoring one of New Zealand’s oldest surviving Māori waka (canoe).

New Zealand’s reputation for sustainable practice and environmental awareness has prompted growth in eco-tourism as more travellers seek eco-friendly accommodation.

A regular feature on many parts of the North and South Island coast, 13 different dolphin species live in the waters around New Zealand.

The smallest and rarest species of dolphin, the Hector’s dolphin, is undergoing a population boost due to conservation work at the dolphin sanctuary at Banks Peninsula.

The Otago Central Railway line was once the link that opened up the rural highland of Central Otago.

Environmentally-aware tourists interested in off-the-beaten-track travel are monitoring progress on New Zealand’s national cycleway project, an ambitious project that’s due to begin development in November 2009.

New Zealand’s world-first national rugby museum will be relocated and upgraded in time for the huge influx of rugby fans expected for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.