With so many holiday options bombarding us at every turn, what makes one country better than any other to visit? With acts of war, disease, security and safety issues being thrust upon us via almost every media channel, you’ll see very few warnings not to go to New Zealand. And here is why:
Stunning Sea Kayaking On Offer in Abel Tasman National Park
1. Very few people have ever been harassed by sheep. With 40 million sheep resident alongside the 5 million human residents, you can see why Australians like to poke fun at New Zealanders regarding sheep jokes. The population of sheep has dropped from it’s peak at 130 million.
…. more sheep
2. There are no ‘nasties’. No snakes, diseases of any note and one poisonous spider called the katipo that is extremely unlikely to see. New Zealand is home to many flightless and endangered species of bird such as the kiwi (no it isn’t just a fruit) and so it is in their best interests to keep many of those deadly animals resident just a 3 hour flight across the Tasman Sea in Australia.
New Zealand only ‘nasty’ the Katipo Spider. Rarely seen.
3. New Zealand is the self confessed adventure capital of the world. Where William Hamilton invented the jetboat, A J Hackett, the bungy jump, zorbing – the list is endless. Kiwis are innovative and have a ‘can do’ attitude, hence why so many sports as well as inventions came out of this small country. Other lesser known inventions from New Zealand include the egg beater, Ernest Rutherford splitting the atom and Harry Wigley inventing the first plane to land on snow.
The World Famous Shotover Jet Near Queenstown
4. New Zealand is far away from any war zones and has no enemies apart from Australia (as NZ often beats them in sport) Kiwis are fun loving peaceful people. Kiwis often leave their houses and cars open and offers abound to pop in for a ‘cuppa’ or even stay the night. Whilst many people at first find this off-putting, many whilst on their travels come to enjoy the friendly and laid back nature of New Zealanders.
Milford Sound
Water By Nature offer a once yearly departure around New Zealand, showing off all of the great adventures, showing the friendly nature of kiwi’s topped off with a healthy dose of world class scenery on a daily basis. The trip is guided by the owner of Water By Nature, Hamish McMaster, himself a proud kiwi.
The traditional maori greeting, a hongi.
by Hamish McMaster
Hamish McMaster is the Water By Nature owner. He has spent the past 25 years exploring and playing on the world's great rivers. He still loves nothing more than getting out there and sharing adventures.
Recent posts
Mother Nature Is In Charge – Covid-19
Be warned, this is not an e mail to tell you to wash your hands or that we have implemented a policy of hand sanitising (we already do this stuff on trips). Those of you who have travelled with us before will know we have no shortage of loo roll. We even put a square […]
6 Of The Best Short and Long Rafting Trips
Hamish McMaster gives his verdict on the 3 best short rafting adventures and his 3 favourite longer rafting trips in the world. Some of our guests love the ‘quick fix’ on a river trip. For others, it’s genuinely about spending as many nights as possible on the water, to relax and unwind with the help […]
Rafting With Kids – What’s it All About?
After doing a number of multiday trips with our kids Holly and Josh, and having taken literally thousands of kids rafting over my quarter century leading trips, here are a few of my tips to make for a perfect family trip both for Mum and Dad, and the kids. Choose an Appropriate Trip: This […]