new zealand milford sound

New Zealand Holidays

Flight + Hotel

New Zealand's unspoiled glory

New Zealand holidays are the gateway to awe-inspiring scenery, charming cities and a lifetime of magical memories.

Visit cosmopolitan Auckland, with its high-rise Sky Tower and museums showcasing native Maori culture. Blissful Waiheke Island is only a ferry ride away. 

Wellington will win you over with its gorgeous harbour and scenic cable car rides, while Christchurch is the place to relax with a punt on the Avon River. 

The South Island is famed for its natural beauty. Enjoy an adventure in Queenstown with the stunning Southern Alps as your backdrop, while the majesty of Fiordland is enough to take the breath away.

Book your holiday to New Zealand with Etihad and discover the wonders of the Land of the Long White Cloud. 

new zealand auckland skyline and bay

Things to do in New Zealand

New Zealand’s unsurpassed beauty beckons with its sprawling national parks and serene coastline.

new zealand traditional maori carving

Discover the Maori way

Find out more about the culture of the country’s indigenous people as you explore this fascinating nation. 

At Ko Tāne in Christchurch, you can attend a hangi – a traditional dinner where the food is cooked after heated rocks – and experience life in a typical Maori village. 

The New Zealand Maritime Museum in Auckland traces Maori seafaring traditions and has a handcrafted waka – a traditional canoe. 

There are also Maori guided tours of the city, explaining the deep connection with the land and the legends that surround Auckland’s dormant volcanoes.

Where to stay in New Zealand

City life in Auckland

Shopping, sights and serious seafood – the spectacular city of Auckland has it all. A hugely popular destination, there are fashionable boutiques and Michelin-starred restaurants to savour. 

The Grand Millennium Auckland enjoys a central location close to Queen Street Shopping District and Auckland Town Hall. Enjoy the excellent facilities including an indoor pool, sauna, and fitness centre. The hotel’s two restaurants serve local and international cuisine. 

new zealand auckland bridge at night
new zealand cable car and skyline

Five-star luxury in Wellington

Treat yourself with a stay at the five-star Grand Mercure Wellington. The hotel is centrally located and has inviting amenities such as an indoor pool and sauna.

Other options in the city include the Sofitel Wellington, close to St Paul’s Cathedral, and the InterContinental Wellington, which has an indoor pool, fitness suite and on-site spa services. 

All options make for a great luxury New Zealand holiday.

Get close to nature in Queenstown 

Enjoy outdoor adventures in the natural playground of Queenstown.

The ideal base for family holidays in New Zealand, you’ll be able to enjoy a wide range of activities as well as take in peaceful lakes, wildlife parks and hiking trails. It’s also the gateway to the epic Milford Sound.

Stay at Heritage Queenstown and you'll be in the heart of the action close to Lake Wakatipu and Skyline Gondola. 

Coronet Peak Ski Area is also within easy reach. Facilities include a health club, outdoor pool and spa tub. The hotel’s Mackenzies Restaurant offers you the chance to dine inside or alfresco, with spectacular mountain views.

new zealand queenstown bay at night
new-zealand-tekapo

All you need to know about New Zealand

Local currency

The country’s currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD). You’ll find that debit and credit cards are accepted at most places across the country.

Getting around

Renting a car in New Zealand is straightforward and will give you the most flexibility for getting to the country’s natural sights. KiwiRail train services run between the major cities.

Languages spoken 

The official languages of New Zealand are English and Maori. English is the most widely used.

National holidays

New Zealand celebrates Waitangi Day, the country’s national day, on 6 February. It commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the Maori and Britain in 1840.

More about New Zealand

Local cuisine

With its lush countryside and long coastline, it’s little surprise that New Zealand cuisine is a celebration of produce from both land and sea.

Succulent lamb is among the country’s most famous exports, while mussels and whitebait fritters are regional favourites too. Don’t miss sampling fish and chips by the shore. 

For dessert, make sure you try hokey pokey – soft vanilla ice cream full of crunchy honeycomb. Complete your meal with some cheese from the Puhoi Valley. 

You will find most international cuisines represented and plenty of options for those with a range of dietary requirements.

new zealand fresh mussels
new zealand traditional red carving

Culture

New Zealand is a fascinating fusion of cultures. You’ll find plenty of British influences here, together with a reverence for the lasting customs of the indigenous Maori people. 

You can immerse yourself in local life by watching a haka (traditional war dance) or visiting a marae (meeting ground). 

At a marae, you’ll see age-old arts like carving and weaving being practised. Legends, known as purakau, also have an important place in the national identity.

These relate to many different parts of the country and tour guides will tell you more about them.

History and heritage

New Zealand is often referred to as the youngest country in the world, as it was the last major land mass to be discovered by foreign explorers. 

This proud nation was originally inhabited by the Maori people, with the first Europeans arriving in 1642.  

ANZAC Day is celebrated each year on April 25 and was established to commemorate soldiers from New Zealand and Australia who served in the Gallipoli campaign during the First World War. 

Sport is also a big part of life in New Zealand – rugby is something of an obsession, with the legendary All Blacks a source of huge national pride.

new zealand anzac day flowers
new zealand natural geothermal pool with steam

Why we love New Zealand

“New Zealand is blessed with incredible scenery and amazing cities. There’s so much to see and do here – whether you’re looking for a coastal escape, an active adventure or just want to learn more about its fascinating history.”

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