New Zealand Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
island country in the southwest Pacific Ocean
About New Zealand
New Zealand is increasingly known, both in the indigenousMāori languageand in New Zealand English, asAotearoa, often translated as "land of the long white cloud". Originally, Aotearoa referred to only the North Island. The two main islands are officially namedNorth Island / Te Ika-a-MāuiandSouth Island / Te Waipounamu.Te Ika-a-Māuimeans "the fish of Māui"; in Māori legend, the North Island is a giant fish pulled up from sea by the demigod Māui, with its head to the south. Wellington is sometimes calledte upoko o te ika(the head of the fish") and once boasted a monthly magazine calledFishhead.Te Waipounamumeans "the greenstone waters"; greenstone is a nephrite jade found in the South Island and is highly valued by Māori people. An alternative (but unofficial) Māori name for the South Island
New Zealand Travel Guide Sections
Our comprehensive guide covers 20 sections including: