Fiordland

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.

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’.

‘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.

New Zealand’s legendary kākāpō ‘Richard Henry’, considered the elder statesman of the country’s rare native species and one who played a vital role in kākāpō recovery, has been found dead.

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

An award-winning American travel writer on a ‘luggage free’ journey around the world touched down in Queenstown this week – the last international port of call on his five-week whirlwind ‘no baggage challenge’.

Tourists and professional whale watchers on New Zealand whale watching safaris have been treated to some recent rare sightings as the winter whale season swings into action.

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