Flights to New Zealand

Highlights of New Zealand

New Zealand gained popularity when it was featured in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Tourists are traveling to New Zealand in amazing numbers to experience the scenic views and the Maori culture. Starting in Auckland, you may want to spend a few days volcano and island hopping or taking in the arts and cuisine in New Zealand's largest city. Wellington boasts New Zealand's best night life and coffee-house scene along Cuba St. and Courtenay Pl. The Abel Tasman National Park is the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts and kayakers to visit golden-sand beaches and quiet azure inlets. A visit to the Marlborough Wine Region will give you the opportunity to partake of their world-famous Sauvignon Blanc while meandering through historic wineries and eating in one of their gourmet restaurants. The Hawkes Bay Wine Region features Napier, with an Art Deco vibe, where you can sip on a Syrah, sometimes known as Shiraz in other parts of the world. Kaikoura is the 'must-see' ocean destination in the country. On a peninsula, Kaikoura is backed by the glistening white peaks of the Seaward Kaikoura Range. An unusual phenomena here attracts a plethora of sea life, which comes to feed as cold water meets warm and the southerly currents hitting the continental shelf bring nutrients into the 'feeding zone'. Whales, dolphins, seals, penguins, shearwaters, petrels and albatross are active and highly visible.

Getting to New Zealand

Airlines that fly to New Zealand are somewhat limited, which means that you may have to connect in another country. Air New Zealand, Qantas, Air Tahiti Nui and Air Pacific all have international service into Aukland's International Airport.

Airports

The Auckland International Airport is the largest and busiest international airport in New Zealand, though six others also handle international traffic. Dunedin, Hamilton, Palmerstown North and Queenstown Airports only have limited services to Australia, and in some cases, Fiji. New Zealand also has 31 regional airports and a number of much smaller airports and airstrips for the more isolated locations.

Airlines

Domestic airlines vary depending upon where you are flying from. If traveling about the country, you may have to change planes often. The domestic airline companies with hubs at the most commonly used airports are: Air New Zealand, Eagle Airways, Freedom Air, Jetconnect and Mount Cook Airline based out of Auckland Airport; Air2there out of Paraparaumu Airport; Air Chathams based in the Chatham Islands and Tuuta Airport; Air Nelson out of the Nelson Airport and Pacific Blue based out of Brisbane.

More Money-Saving Tips

When on the hunt for cheap flights to New Zealand keep checking travel agency offerings as they often run promotions of 'Open Jaw' tickets. These allow travelers to fly into one city and leave from another city. Open Jaw Tickets are popular with many backpackers. Not only do you save money, but you get to enjoy a relaxed tour of the whole country at the same time. You may also consider breaking some of your journey into parts to save more as there are popular en-route destinations when going to New Zealand such as Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Australia and Singapore. Combining Australia and New Zealand often results in amazing discounts as Australia has a number of low-cost carriers that 'hop' into NZ. December through February is the high season here, which is the New Zealand summer, though the low season, June to August, has its fair share of ski-bunnies and snow-boarders. If traveling during the Christmas holidays, book well in advance and insure accommodations prior to booking your flight. Also be prepared to pay the highest air fare and hotel rates.

In Closing

New Zealand, though the excitement created by The Lord of the Rings has somewhat settled, is considered to be a nature lover's paradise. Taking in the scenery, from glaciers to peaks to the beaches, you can well imagine her ancient people settling this land and the challenges that were faced. There are few places in the world more beautiful. New Zealand is 'eco-conscious' and is doing everything they can to preserve their land while allowing the influx of tourists from around the world. People come for the nature...and they want to keep it that way!