Status: New Zealand is a sovereign independent state and a member of the British Commonwealth.
Geographic Location: New Zealand is 1000 miles in length, 104,000 square miles in the two main islands, the North and the South Islands. It is a little larger than Britain, slightly smaller than Italy and about the size of California. Located in the South Pacific, it is roughly equivalent in the northern hemisphere to the West Coast from Fresno, California to Seattle, Washington or, on the East Coast, from Savannah, Georgia to Montreal, Canada.
Language and Currency: English is the common language of New Zealanders. The currency is based on the New Zealand dollar and cents similar to the US and all major international credit cards are accepted in many places.
The People and Culture: New Zealand has a population of 3.3 million, mostly of British descent. Three quarters of the population live in the Auckland area. The largest minority, the Maori (13%) are the island's native Polynesian. The native Maori culture abounds and their continuing tradition and openness and friendliness lives on today. There is a wonderful Maori Cultural Center at Rotorua. The cities of Wellington (the capital) and Auckland (the country's largest city) and the English style of Christchurch offer museums, symphonies, fine art galleries, ballet and opera. Restaurants offer everything from quick, native foods to international cuisine. New Zealand farms and home stays are famous for their English gardens and friendly hospitality. Many have grass tennis courts.
Getting There: Several airlines offer daily flights to New Zealand. Air New Zealand allows for stopping in Fiji, Tahiti and the Cook Islands.
Documents: A valid
passport is required to enter New Zealand. No Visa is
required for US Citizens at this writing. An individual
parent traveling with a minor child or children must have
written, notarized permission from the opposite natural
parent in order for child to legally travel.
A New Zealand Fishing License is required. Some
regional fishing licenses are required as well. In some
cases they are included in your package.
Getting Around New Zealand: Fishing International's specialized itineraries utilize the New Zealand Fishing Trains, rental cars, fishing guide transportation, special transfers, coaches, and commercial flights with Mt Cook Airlines and Air New Zealand.
Interesting New Zealand Fishing Information
- New Zealand Fishing Calendar
- Entomology and Patterns
for the New Zealand-Bound Flyfisher - Stalking Trout in New Zealand
- North Island Trout Fishing Areas
- South Island Trout fishing Areas
Planning Your New Zealand Itinerary
- Creating Your Own New Zealand Trip
- Sightseeing and Fishing Itineraries
- Intensive Fishing Itineraries
- Salt Water Fishing Itinerary
- New Zealand Fishing Trains