New Zealand's awesome landscapes, lush forests and amazing wildlife do seem to be God-given, or at least divinely inspired, and its pleasant climate makes it a haven for outdoor activities. Stretching 1500km across 15 degrees of latitude north to south from 34°S - nearly 30° and 2800km if you include the sub-tropical Kermadec Islands to the northeast and the sub-Antarctic Auckland and Campbell Islands to the south - New Zealand is a land of contrasts, stunning scenery and superb maritime vistas. It's a marine and outdoor playground for residents and visitors alike.

New Zealand's multicultural society is diverse and increasingly sophisticated - New Zealanders are amongst the most travelled people on earth - while its inhabitants' honesty, friendliness, and openness rate highly with visitors.

Better still, New Zealand's diverse physical, cultural, and artistic landscapes are so close to each other. Not surprisingly, New Zealand - Aotearoa to its indigenous Maori people - is consistently voted one of the world's favourite travel destinations. It's a great place to live - and to visit.

Continued on next page.