Dunedin - Coastal Otago

New Zealand’s first authentic Chinese garden – only the third outside of China and the first in the Southern Hemisphere – has officially opened in the South Island city of Dunedin.

Four New Zealand gardens have earned the title of ‘Garden of International Significance’ in a new quality ranking aimed at overseas visitors.

The match schedule for the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand has been announced in Auckland today (12.03.09) with 13 venues across the country chosen to host pool matches.

The eventual return of New Zealand native tuatara to wild habitat in the South Island has been brought a step closer with the arrival of 15 of the baby reptiles at Orokonui Ecosanctuary near Dunedin.

After a 100-year absence, one of New Zealand’s nationally endangered species – the South Island tieke or saddleback – is returning to live on the South Island mainland.

Excited rugby fans in Dunedin on Saturday (13.06.09) got the ‘full monty’ – a bonus match featuring the ‘Nude Blacks’ – as well as the much anticipated first rugby test between New Zealand – France.

An unexpected population explosion has the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre aquarium, on the Otago Peninsula, brimming with activity.

Dunedin’s decadent mid-winter sweetener, the irresistable Cadbury Chocolate Carnival is ready to roll from 11 – 17 July, in the southern New Zealand city.

Sweet-toothed Kiwis rolled out one of the world’s most unusual charity events when 30,000 Jaffas – an iconic New Zealand sweet – hurtled down the world’s steepest street.

The record-breaking 2009 winter season that’s kept New Zealand ski resorts humming is set to ramp up as the inaugural 100% Pure New Zealand Winter Games get underway this weekend.