Nelson Tasman

With three cycle ways completed and more trails well on the way to completion, New Zealand’s national cycle trail project is on track to provide a summer full of choices for cyclists.

The birthplace of New Zealand rugby – Nelson in the South Island – turned the clock back 141 years today (20.9.2011) with an authentic re-enactment of the first game.

A free falling frenzy of sky diving flair is filling the skies above Motueka this week as New Zealand’s largest annual sky diving event celebrates a decade in the air.

Rugby World Cup 2011 will be a chance to experience and relive New Zealand’s rich rugby heritage with a series of REAL New Zealand Festival nostalgic exhibitions and events surrounding the tournament.

Classic Kiwi icons will get the WOW treatment when the wonderfully quirky World of WearableArt Awards Show steps out in Wellington for the 2011 season.

With 85,000 international visitors in the country, Rugby World Cup will showcase New Zealand to a global audience of discerning travellers – and, away from the rugby field, it’s Kiwi food and wine that’s likely to attract the most sustained interest.

Auckland is on 'Cloud' nine, Wellington’s launching a waka, Nelson’s taking a long Italian lunch, Bluff’s reserving the juiciest oysters, Westland’s celebrating whitebait, and wineries all over New Zealand are dusting off their vintage best.

Remembering the fallen heroes of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZACS) will have added depth this coming Anzac Day thanks to a strengthened bond between the two countries as a result of the Christchurch earthquake.

Three of the five Rugby World Cup pool matches that were to have been held in Christchurch, but have had to be moved because of the February earthquake, will remain in the South Island.

A road trip, aimed at taking rugby’s greatest prizes back to the grassroots of the game, in what will be the most important year for the sport in New Zealand, has begun its 26-province tour.