Two wild kiwi chicks discovered last week are the first to be born in the Auckland region for more than 60 years.

While most of New Zealand takes a holiday at some time during January, it’s also a great time for tourists to experience the laid-back nature of New Zealand life at its best.

Skies above New Zealand will sparkle with extra significance in 2009 as the International Year of Astronomy sees some major initiatives in 'astro tourism'.

New Zealand has always offered environmentally-aware tourists a golden opportunity but now the experience can be rated officially thanks to a growing group of tourism operators who are walking the talk.

Summer sun and water fun go hand-in-hand in New Zealand and this season is no exception with a colourful line-up of events that focus on sea, surf and sailing.

Savvy travellers wanting to fly in the face of the global credit crisis and still go on holiday are latching on to clever ways to make their funds go further.

Kapa haka - or traditional Māori performing arts - forms an intrinsic element of the New Zealand cultural experience.

As sunshine hours lengthen and the annual school and work calendar winds down in preparation for Christmas and the long summer holidays, New Zealand swings into outdoor mode with feasts, festivals and fun on the programme.

Like all best kept secrets word eventually gets out, so it's no surprise - with luxury travel now one of the country's fastest growing tourism sectors - that the world is waking up to New Zealand's luxury travel possibilities.

Begun by European migrants, New Zealand's wine industry has grown rapidly, achieving great international success and a fine reputation in a relatively short time.