In this topic, we are going to check out some of New Zealand's most popular things to see and do.
Bungy Jumping in Queenstown
This commercial activity was a world first in 1988 and it was all started by a Kiwi, A.J Hackett.
Queenstown is a mecca for lovers of this exhilarating activity, with three jumps available in the area. The Nevis Highwire is the highest in Australasia at 134 metres!
Skiing on Mount Cook
Mount Cook is New Zealand’s highest mountain, it is located in a World Heritage park and it provides the ultimate winter destination for domestic and international visitors.
This activity is available from early July till early October and there are three unique snow fields to choose from. This activity is also available in the variation of Heli-skiing and a Glacier Ski Touring Adventure.
There is a wide variety of accommodation in the area from hotel and lodges to backpackers and holiday parks. The Hermitage Hotel is one of the most well-known accommodation providers in the area.
The Luge in Rotorua
This very popular activity was a world first proudly designed and built in Rotorua! It is located at Skyline Skyrides and is a fun filled gravity adventure on a three wheeled cart.
There are three separate sealed tracked to choose from, which cater for all levels of experience. The tracks are called the scenic, intermediate and advanced tracks.
The rider has full control with a brake system so they can travel as slow or fast as they wish. Riders go down the hill on the luge and back up again on a chair lift.
Jet Boating in Taupo
This is a fast and furious activity available on the Waikato River in Taupo.
It operates all year round and is suitable for all ages. On every ride you’ll experience the thrill of the famous 360⁰ spins.
There are two main operators of this exhilarating activity; Huka Falls Jet and Rapid Jet.
The Huka Falls Jet takes you past the Wairakei Thermal Power Station, Huka Prawn Park and Aratiatia Dam. The Rapid Jet will take you ‘surfing’ on the Nga Awapurua Rapids.
Womad
WOMAD
March, New Plymouth
With artists hailing from 17 countries including Palestine, China, Japan, Ivory Coast, France, Romania and Burundi, WOMAD NZ is truly an international festival.
As well as 30 hours of music on the seven stages, WOMAD features artists in conversation, Taste the World – this year hosted by Masterchef runner-up Jax, artist workshops, a global village, sustainable village, Kidzone and the option to camp at the adjacent racecourse. WOMAD is an international festival created by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Brooman in 1982. Since then 21 countries have hosted the festival and entertained millions of festival goers.
International artists:
Described by Rolling Stone Magazine as "Australia's most important voice", Gurrumul returns to WOMAD for the festival. Solo performances by this multi-award winning musician are rare treats for music lovers. Other WOMAD favourites making a return visit are the globe-trotting French band Lo'Jo and India's master santoor player Shivkumar Sharma.
Kiwi artists:
The Kiwi music line-up features one of the newest music projects – Pajama Club (with Neil and Sharon Finn); ever-popular reggae act The Black Seeds, Adam Page performing solo and with Riki Gooch in Band of Thousands; Christchurch singer songwriter Amiria Grenell; the dynamic Batucada Sound Machine; a special collaboration between Minuit and Wellington-based Indonesian music ensemble Gamelan Taniwha Jaya; blues musician Paul Ubana Jones; award-winning Maori kapa haka from Te Matarae I Orehu; original ukulele trio The Nukes; and The Yoots performing their blend of calypso-ska and country-soul.
Festival Experience
WOMAD is not just about the excellent music. There are so many more exciting elements on offer:
Taste the World
Being able to experience cultures from around the globe is what WOMAD is all about. At WOMAD some of our musical and artistic guests will be creating their favourite dishes from their homelands on the Nova Energy Taste the World stage. Grab some refreshments from the adjacent WOBAR and put your feet up and enjoy some impromptu entertainment and culinary creations from around the world.
Artists in Conversation
This programme offers a unique opportunity to learn more about some of the artists as they share their history and musical journeys.
Films
Enjoy a selection of evening films under the stars. Films are usually about one-hour long. Stay tuned for this year programme.
Global Village
The Global Village is packed with art, craft and food from around the globe. More than 80 stalls trading quality products bring the world's markets to New Zealand.
Kidzone
Kidzone is a creative programme for young ones. It is situated within the magical Brooklands Zoo so check out the animals while you are there.
Workshops
You can take part in a workshop with some of the performers… explore your vocal range, dance to a different beat, or meet and be inspired by an artist. Workshop details will be released closer to the festival.
Zero waste
Zero Waste is a powerful concept that challenges old ways of thinking and inspires new attitudes and behaviour. It is a multi-faceted approach, integrating the four R's of waste minimisation (reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink), to conserve the Earth's limited resources.
Hamilton Rugby Sevens
(New Zealand Sevens)
The World Rugby Sevens Series is held in Hamilton and staged at FMG Stadium Waikato over 2 days at the end of January and involves various international teams competing for points that go towards the International Rugby Board (IRB) Sevens series. Eight tournaments make up the IRB series.
The tournament is played under the laws of the game of rugby with some Sevens variations which are framed by the IRB.
The teams are split into four pools. Play on the first day of the tournament consists of pool matches on a round robin basis. Points are awarded for wins, losses and draws and go towards each team's final point’s tabulation.
Following completion of all the pool matches in day one, the first and second placed teams in each pool progress to the Cup Championship. The third and fourth placed teams of each pool progress to the Bowl Championship.
These games are played on day two and all teams are moved into a knockout phase. The winners of each game move into semi-finals and then finals. The winner of the Tournament is the team that has moved through all their games on day two with no losses.
Each team is made up of 12 players; seven on the field during the match, with a reserve bench of five.
Each game runs for two x seven-minute halves with a two-minute half time; the final game of the tournament is two ten-minute halves.
Tickets are available in four zones including a Family Area and alcohol-free zone and the event sees many fans wearing outrageous costumes and fancy dress to create a party atmosphere.