Editor’s letter

ISSUE 109, JAN/FEB 2023

New Zealand is one of those destinations that never fails to capture the imagination. A perennial favourite in our annual Reader Awards, this year you voted it the ‘best long-haul country’.

Understandably, then, it’s the Māori culture, exquisite wines and unique wildlife and landscapes — from the mountains of the South Island to the North Island’s otherworldly geothermal sites — that beckon travellers to a nation with a keen sense of its own distinct identity. Add to this the fact that the pandemic put tourism on hold for over two years, with a staggered reopening in 2022, and New Zealand’s allure is surely at an all-time high.

Our cover story this issue focuses on the wild side of this remarkable country — known as Aotearoa (‘the land of the long white cloud’) in the Māori language. From e-biking through ancient forests, hiking across glaciers and exploring the original adventure centre, Queenstown, to trekking revered volcanic peaks and caving with glow worms, there’s an adventure to suit everyone in this natural playground.

It’s not all white-knuckle, high-speed, adrenaline pursuits, though — New Zealand’s magical combination of natural attractions, spectacular wildlife, unspoilt landscapes and welcoming people make it worthy of a trip of any pace.