Wellington

Rugby is an integral part of being a Kiwi and Rugby World Cup 2011 is destined to turn New Zealand into a non-stop party zone called the REAL New Zealand Festival.

New Zealand's Pacific Rim cuisine draws inspiration from Europe, Asia and Polynesia.

For almost a century, no real New Zealand feast or happy family celebration would be without the crowning treat – a classic Kiwi pavlova topped with cream, kiwifruit or summer berries.

Some key moments in Aotearoa - New Zealand's Maori history from Polynesian migrations and British colonisation to the modern renaissance of Maori language.

Barrie Osborne is an internationally renowned US film-maker who moved to New Zealand while working on major film projects.

New Zealand has laid down the welcome mat with a new campaign to assure travellers that the country is very much open for business, while bloggers throughout the world are extolling the virtues of the destination.

New Zealanders love celebrating – almost every weekend someone, somewhere is staging a public event that not only gives visitors an insight into the Kiwi way of life but also highlights the innovative and quirky nature of local thinking.

Take three major wine producing regions add gourmet food, a buzzing capital city, charming small town life and sparkling coastal waterways and you’ve got an unbeatable holiday experience.

New Zealand’s outdoor lifestyle, spectacular landscapes and varied terrain set the scene for some of the world’s best on and off-road cycling experiences.

New Zealand’s North Island offers a full range of cycling experiences for cyclists of all abilities – from vineyard doddles to high speed downhills for top of the game mountain bikers.