Winter

A themed Air New Zealand flight from Sydney to Queenstown on 27 June will give this year’s American Express Queenstown Winter Festival a flying start.

Winter in New Zealand is a world away from dull and drab. Here crisp blue skies and dramatic scenery provide a veritable playground for winter sports, relaxing breaks and special festivities.

A cold southerly storm has blown good fortune over New Zealand’s ski fields providing the perfect start to the ski season.

A wintry blast that has blanketed the Southern Lakes region of New Zealand is perfect timing for the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival due to open Friday (June 27).

Heavy snowfalls over New Zealand's North Island ski resorts on the Central Plateau might have brought chilly temperatures but scientists are more interested in a hotspot that remains in the Mt Ruapehu crater lake.

A free music event at a luxury New Zealand alpine resort featuring international and local stars will be beamed to more than 30 countries.

While New Zealand bathes in sunshine and high temperatures, winter sports enthusiasts have cooler conditions in mind.

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.

Skiing in New Zealand will be an attractive option for international visitors this 2009 ski season with the exchange rate making ticket prices up to 40% cheaper than last winter.

A giant gourmet hangi, created by Kiwi celebrity chef Peter Gordon, will launch New Zealand’s 2009 celebrations for Matariki or Māori New Year.