The spectacular natural beauty of New Zealand is complemented by modern, lively cities full of laid-back people, lively atmosphere and outdoor pursuits.

Auckland enjoys a stunning location, sandwiched between two great bays where the Pacific Ocean and Tasman sea come within 14 kilometres of each other. One Tree Hill and Mount Eden offer good free vistas, but the view from the Skytower is all-encompassing. Good swimming beaches are found nearby at Kohimarama and Mission Bay, while the Hauraki Gulf is dotted with islands such as Rangitoto and Great Barrier, best reached by yacht from the America?s Cup yacht basin on the waterfront.

Wellington, the nation?s capital, also enjoys a stunning location tucked away in Wellington harbour. The CBD is easily explored on foot, Cuba Street has great shopping and a lively atmosphere, Thorndon has historic sites of interest, Lambton Quay is the primary business street and Mt Victoria is the place to go for cheap accommodation and dining. The excellent new Te Papa museum is a must-see. The drive along Oriental bay is lovely, the views from Mount Victoria and the Botanical gardens to the north (via the antique cable car) are excellent

Napier, in the lovely Hawkes bay (east coast), is the world?s only purpose built art deco city, due in part to a devastating earthquake on the 1930s.

Christchurch is a remarkably ?English? city, reminiscent of Oxford or Cambridge, with it?s orderly streets. It?s centred around Cathedral square, has an olde-world appeal and pleasant pedestrian malls, colonial architecture and pretty tree-lined streets.

The lively university town of Dunedin, steeped in Scottish influence, is located in the extreme southern Otago province.