Rotorua

Every piece of Māori art that comes from New Zealand carries a story with it.

From ancient times, Māori culture has been passed down from generation to generation through music, carvings, art, story-telling and reciting of whakapapa genealogies.

Tapu, an ancient Māori spiritual and social code that was central to traditional society, is about sanctity and respect for people, natural resources and the environment.

When Kiwi shot-put champion Valerie Vili won the gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, she looked skyward in memory of her mother, Lilika, who had died when she was a teenager.

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

With the 2010 wedding season in full swing and Valentine's Day looming, New Zealand's tourism industry is flush with romance.

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

Rugby World Cup excitement is spreading as communities from the north to the south of New Zealand react enthusiastically to the announcement of team hosting venues for the 2011 event.

Farmers markets are a rapidly developing Kiwi phenomenon – 10 new markets are due to open during the 2009 - 2010 season making a total of 50 throughout New Zealand.

Dateline 09-09-09 was celebrated with particular significance in New Zealand today, marking exactly two years out from the opening game of Rugby World Cup 2011.