Eastland

With New Zealand’s scenic landscapes about to star in 'The Hobbit' trilogy, Tourism New Zealand is eager to show the world that the big screen imagery is more than a fleeting glimpse of fantasy.

Whale watching is a year round pastime in New Zealand but come winter, the popular activity takes on a more serious role, and this year a busy migration period is providing valuable data as well as entertainment.

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.

Te Matarae i Orehu, a Māori culture group based in New Zealand’s geothermal Rotorua district, won the national Kapa Haka Championship title in Gisborne over the weekend.

An attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the biggest ever haka will be made at New Zealand’s Te Matatini o Te Ra 2011 Kapa Haka Festival in Gisborne on Sunday (20.2.11).

More than 50,000 people are expected to make a pilgrimage to Gisborne in February 2011 when New Zealand’s culture-rich Eastland plays host to Te Matatini – the biggest festival of Māori performing arts in the world.

New Zealand’s reputation as one of the world’s top surfing spots has been future-proofed by new legislation that protects the country’s most famous breaks.

Christchurch Casino has picked up the Air New Zealand Supreme Award in the 2010 Tourism Industry Awards – announced in Auckland last night (14.10.10).

Famous Kiwis have chipped in to help paint a picture of their country for prospective tourists, by exposing their favourite haunts in the latest edition of 'Lonely Planet'.