Fiordland

Record numbers of Australians are cruising to New Zealand, and cruise companies are rising to the challenge.

Despite global recession and ensuing challenges in 2009, New Zealand has sustained its position as a high profile destination bringing in the tourists and notching up many international awards to prove it.

A cheeky New Zealand parrot has flown off with a British visitor’s passport after plucking it from the courier bag of a tourist bus in the South Island.

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

Hot on the heels of Rugby World Cup, and a bag full of international tourism accolades from 2011, New Zealand is set to stay in the international spotlight for 2012.

‘Happy Feet’ – the Antarctic emperor penguin that made New Zealand visitor arrival history by finding its way to a North Island beach – continues its fight for life under the watchful eye of Kiwi medics and conservation experts.

A striking photographic portrait of a New Zealand kakapo parrot – one of the rarest and most at-risk bird species on earth – has swooped up first prize in an international competition.

Kiwi adventurer Erik Bradshaw has made New Zealand alpine history as the first person to ski the length of the Southern Alps.

International travel authority 'Lonely Planet' has chosen New Zealand’s Southern Lakes region as one of the world’s ‘Top 10 Regions to visit in 2012’.

A veteran Auckland conservationist is footing it on a lengthy trek to help save endangered New Zealand spotted kiwi.