Wellington is, simply put, a blast to go out in. Whether you like busy nightclubs, jovial Irish pubs, dark, underground sweatboxes, chic bars or indie rock dives, you will find what you are looking for here. Here are some of our favourite night spots in the ‘Capital of Cool'. Mattterhorn Located i...

New Zealand traditionally hosts some dazzling cultural festivals. Kiwis have a longstanding love of the arts, dating right back to the numerous colourful celebrations enacted by the indigenous inhabitants of the islands. Traditionally a melting point, New Zealand has a thriving arts scene, with both...

Bay of Plenty, lying on New Zealand's north eastern coast, is surely one of the most aptly named resorts on the planet. With spectacular views overlooking the Pacific Ocean, its sandy beaches have been a magnet for visitors for a long time. Many Kiwis from elsewhere in New Zealand don't even conside...

New Zealand has a longstanding tradition of producing some of cinema's most memorable movies. How many of these have you seen? More to the point, how well do they match with your own favourites? Bad Taste (1987) Peter Jackson has become universally-known as the director of special effects-laden bu...

According to a recent survey of new migrants to the country conducted by Immigration New Zealand, 75% of those polled had decided they wished to remain permanently. A further 90% stated that they would be prepared to recommend New Zealand to family and friends. Of course there are many reasons why...

New Zealand has a longstanding love affair with pop music. This can be traced right back to the 1940s, when a song called 'Blue Smoke' was released by Ruru Karatiana - originally penned while onboard a wartime troop ship. This was re-recorded in 1949 by Pixie Williams, eventually achieving triple Pl...

Although New Zealand is a relatively under-populated country, and lies some 2000 km from its larger neighbour, Australia, its music scene is extremely vibrant. Prior to European settlement the traditional Maori music consisted of a diverse range of interesting styles. These included chanting and th...

One of the key attractions that New Zealand has to offer for thousands of annual visitors is its exceptional ski resorts. The combination of crisp mountain air, sunny days and unbeatable views, not to mention superb after-ski leisure activities, is simply irresistible. If you have never traveled to...

New Zealand's ever-reliable celebrities have been keeping their names in the limelight. Take Alan John 'A J' Hackett, the intrepid entrepreneur who popularised bungee jumping. His penchant for plummeting to the earth from great heights, relying on a thin elastic strip, has certainly seen him dicing...

If there is one thing that Kiwis love to do it's make the most of their leisure time. Whether that's the appreciation of the diversity of mouthwatering cuisine and wine, or participating in sports or enjoyig music, there are events which are celebrated across the islands throughout the year. The Ne...

The hotly-awaited second installment of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy has received its official New Zealand premiere. Stars of the movie, subtitled The Desolation of Smaug, treaded the red carpet at a star-studded event in Wellington. Amongst those celebrating the latest release in the ever-pop...