Nature / Sustainable Tourism

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.

The population of the world’s rarest parrot – the New Zealand kakapo – has reached a record high of 125 with the 2009 breeding season being hailed the most successful since the recovery programme began.

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.

Eight New Zealand conservation projects have been named among the top ecological projects in Australasia after an 18-month search by an expert panel.

Two ancient trees, both celebrities in their respective countries and with twin tales of cultural significance, have been united by a unique tourism initiative between New Zealand and Japan.

Not all kiwi families have been affected by the recession – gloom and doom hasn’t reached New Zealand’s Ruahine Ranges where it’s been a bumper breeding season for eastern North Island brown kiwi.

Penguin stars of ice athletics are playing the audience at Kelly Tarlton’s - Auckland’s family waterfront experience – showing off their ball-handling and feet-tapping skills.

Usually it’s the early bird that catches the worm, but New Zealand is offering an early chance to catch the bird - with an invitation for visitors to travel to a remote destination for a rare meeting.

‘Hobbit’ hype is gathering international momentum as Tolkien fans again focus on Middle Earth and New Zealand’s role in the making of the much-awaited Lord of the Rings’ prequel.

Wintry conditions are creating a spectacular natural phenomenon at an iconic New Zealand tourist destination.