By air: Air New Zealand (NZ) and Qantas operate domestic flights between the major airports. Several smaller airlines, including Air Nelson, Eagle Air and Mount Cook Airlines, are wholly owned by Air New Zealand and have been grouped together as Air New Zealand Link. They serve many of the smaller airports throughout the two islands. Soundsair fly between Wellington and Picton daily (journey time - 25 minutes) and offer you the chance to parachute into the city from high above it.

By water: North and South Islands are linked by modern ferries operating between Wellington and Picton, carrying passengers and vehicles across Cook Strait. Interislander (journey time - 3 hours) and Bluebridge (journey time - 3 hours 20 minutes) ferries run all year.

By rail: Toll New Zealand, formerly Tranz Rail Ltd,operates what is left of New Zealand's passenger train service. There are commuter trains in Auckland and Wellington and a handful of scenic routes aimed at tourists.

By road: Traffic drives on the left. Main roads are paved, but some quieter roads are not.

Buses: InterCity Coachlinesoperates scheduled services throughout the country. Coach passes are available. Newmans Coach Lines operates services in both islands. It is advisable to make reservations for seats. The Kiwi Experience is a coach transport network for backpackers and independent travellers, as is Magic Travellers Network; the latter offers a slightly less comprehensive selection of trips. Stray aim to get further off the beaten track and have better coverage of South Island.

Car-hire: Major international firms and local firms have offices at airports and most major cities and towns. It is recommended to hire vehicles from members of the New Zealand Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association.

Public Transport: Good local bus services are provided in the main towns; there are also trolleybuses in Wellington. Both Auckland and Wellington have zonal fares with pre-purchase tickets and day passes

Some recommended dishes:

• Paviova (cake)
• Fish and chips
• Hangi (traditional meal)
• Ginger beer
• Banana sandwich

• The Remarkables
• Lake Wakatipu
• Fiordland Natural Park
• Milford Sound
• Fox Glacier
• Franz Joseph Glacier
• Mount Cook
• Lake Taupo
• Akaroa town
• Abel Tasman National Park

• New Zealand embassy
• Tourist guide
• Lonely Planet New Zealand