New Zealand is an island similar in size to Great Britain or Japan in area. It lies in the southwestern Pacific Ocean approximately 2000kms southeast of Australia and about 10.500kms southwest of California. Most of the 3.8 million New Zealanders live in the larger centers. Nevertheless the average typical New Zealander enjoys the untouched nature of his country and uses every opportunity to escape there from the everyday pressures of daily life. For the visitor, this means that New Zealand offers all the comforts and conveniences of the modern life, but also includes the wide open spaces and the easy access to the wonderful natural bush and countryside.

In New Zealand you are really ´down under´ situated in the southern hemisphere. The seasons are like those of Australia and South America, exactly opposite to those of the northern hemisphere. The longest days and the warmest temperatures of the year occur in both January and February.