Kicked into touch on home ground for the first time – in Auckland’s Queen’s Wharf Rugby World Cup fan zone – Tourism New Zealand’s giant rugby ball has broken all previous visitor records.

More cruise ships than ever are visiting New Zealand – with the number of passenger arrivals set to almost double by the 2011/2012 season.

Camping at Curio Bay in the South Catlins, one of New Zealand’s rugged and wildlife-rich coastal regions, attracts a variety of visitors but not all appear to be taking notice of the local signs.

A family of New Zealand’s more curious insects has moved into an Auckland luxury hotel.

The curtain has fallen on another successful World Buskers’ Festival in Christchurch.

An adventure-seeking 23-year-old Irish film-maker, who calls himself ‘The Cycling Reporter’, has arrived in New Zealand as part of his mission to cycle around the world interviewing locals along the way.

Cycling or walking a scenic route along the Waikato river is an attractive option for visitors wanting to get to and from the 2010 World Rowing Championships at Lake Karapiro.

An inaugural New Zealand cycling event has stirred international interest and hundreds of cycling enthusiasts have signed up for a unique eight-day cycling adventure.

The days of lugging multiple maps and bulky guide books around the world are over for tech-savvy backpackers who can now plan their New Zealand campervan itinerary online.

Visitors keen to experience New Zealand’s great outdoors are being given an added incentive to book early and enjoy a price freeze introduced by the Department of Conservation.