Recreation & Sport

New Zealand sailors have claimed, over the years, most of the top international sailing trophies including the America's Cup and Whitbread Race.

New Zealand’s national love affair with rugby starts at grassroots level.

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.

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.

New Zealand’s southern regions are preparing for an influx of the world’s top winter athletes for the inaugural Winter Games NZ – an international sports event billed as the ultimate lead-up to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Kiwi golfing legend Sir Bob Charles KNZM CBE – the first New Zealander to be admitted to the World Golf Hall of Fame – has been winning tournaments around the world for more than 50 years.

A bumper 2008 ski season - with plenty of snow and international tourists boosting visitor numbers to record levels – has New Zealand’s ski tourism industry in a positive frame for the 2009 winter season.

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.