New Zeland | View a sample itinerary for this location

New Zealand has it all. Viewed from the deck of a charter yacht,she is an endless delight. Deep fiords carve inland along the west coast of South Island. The Bay of Islands on the upper east side of North Island is blessed with an abundance of islands, there are secluded anchorages and white sand beaches that make the sandy beaches of the Caribbean blush with embarrassment. Marlborough Sounds, located between North and South Island is a cruising heaven of towering forest-clad mountains sheltering tranquil bays and coves.

Abundant sea life includes majestic whales and playful dolphins, the fishermen and divers onboard will revel in the water’s bounty. I really don’t think you can possibly do justice to the magnificence of what New Zealand offers without staying at least two weeks. You will need one week to view her riches from the water, and another week to indulge yourself in her incredibly varied landscape. New Zealand will appeal to those individuals yearning for: active volcanoes, glaciers,glow-worm lit caves, subtropical forests,miles of white sand beaches, landscapes straight out of Lord of the Rings (oh,that’s right, it IS Middle Earth!); people with a penchant for kayaking, hiking,rappelling over cliffs into the rivers below. Let’s not forget the sophisticated side of New Zealand either: the countless golf courses, museums,wineries, fabulous restaurants, and yes,there IS a 24 hour casino located in Auckland for those who absolutely have to go gambling. How is it that such a multi-faceted landscape can exist in a land so small? Slightly larger in size to the UK, the terrain is as varied as that of countries multiple times its size. It all goes back to the favorite mantra of the real estate agent: location, location, location. Remember studying plate tectonics when you were in Fourth Grade? Here it is, all over again: New Zealand broke away from the super continent of Gondwanaland perhaps 100,000 million years ago.

New Zealand sits astride two tectonic plates – the Pacific and the Australian. The North Island and some parts of the South Island sit on the Australian Plate, while the rest of South Island sits on the Pacific Plate. Because these plates are constantly shifting into each other, New Zealand gets a lot of geological action, to say the least. The North Island has a “spine” of mountain ranges running through the middle, with rolling farmland on both sides.

The central section is dominated by The Volcanic Plateau, an active volcanic and thermal area. The massive Southern Alps form the backbone of South Island; to the west, fiords drop into the Tasman Sea, while the eastside stretches from rolling farmland to the vast Canterbury Plains.The Southern Alps are home to a number of glaciers, the largest being the Tasman Glacier, the most famous are the Franz Josef and Fox. These spectacular glaciers are easily accessible, whether you choose to walk up to them, or do a helihike: fly up by helicopter and walk down. Thanks to its location and inaccessibility, unique flora and fauna has evolved, with large numbers of native birds and plants, as well as direct descendants of prehistoric wildlife,including the tuatara, weta,and giant snail.

Time magazine once described New Zealand as the“ultimate storehouse for discontinued zoological models”. Okay, everybody can figure out what a giant snail is,but what in the world is a“weta”? Well, let me tell you…a weta is an insect,believed to be over 100,000million years old, and are known as the dinosaurs of the insect world. Found only in New Zealand, they look like across between a grasshopper and a cockroach, and are about the size of a mouse. They are nocturnal, as are their predators…the tuatara! Next question…what is a tuatara?Glad you asked. It’s a reptile, it’s nocturnal, (unfortunately for the weta!) and it has a third eye. Yes, really, it does! When it is young,there is a third eye on the top of its head, which eventually becomes covered over with scales.

Since the separation of New Zealand from Gondwanaland occurred prior to mammals showing up, the birds, reptiles and insects have evolved in spectacular ways to fill in the gaps. For example, the now extinct flightless moa bird grew to almost twelve feet tall and browsed open grasslands like the cattle do today. The equally flightless kiwi is much smaller with a round body covered in coarse feathers and a long,distinctive bill with nostrils at the tip for sniffing out food. The kiwi is the country’s national emblem and of course the nickname for New Zealanders themselves. Other well-known New Zealand native birds include the kea, weka and the takahe.Now that we have set the scene, who arrived first, and when? Solid archaeological evidence indicates 1200 A.D., but much earlier dates have been suggested for the first human impact on the environment.

There is no doubt that the first settlers were the Polynesian forebears of today’s Maori. Prime sites for first settlement were the warm coastal regions, sources of workable stone, and areas of abundant big game. High protein diets from hunting the moa and other flightless birds, plus large sea-mammals such as fur seals, all unaccustomed to being hunted, likely boosted population growth. Within 200 years, the big-game supply was in rapid decline with the moa extinct or close to it and the fur-seal colonies hunted out. Maori economics turned from big game to small game, and from hunting to gardening and fishing. These changes in turn brought about the need for a more complex communal organization, which gave rise to the Maori tribes. Competition for resources increased, conflict between tribes became inevitable, leading to the building of sophisticated fortifications, known as pa. Remnants of pa earthworks can still be seen on the hilltops near Auckland.

The Maori tribes were sorting things out amongst themselves, when who shows up but the Europeans. Two Dutch ships sailed into Golden Bay at the top of the South Island in 1642.Local Maori come out in their canoes to investigate, to which the Dutch challenged them by blowing trumpets.When a boat was lowered to take a party between the two ships, it was attacked and four crewmen were killed. Tasman sailed away and did not come back, but did leave a name: Nieuw Zeeland” or “New Sealand”. The next contact between Europeans and Maoris came in 1769when both English and French explorers arrived, the English under James Cook and the French under Jean de Surville. Exploration continued, motivated by science, profit and a power struggle between English and French.Cook made two more visits between 1773 and 1777, and there were more French expeditions. By the 1790s, whaling ships and sealing gangs made regular appearances. The first mission station was founded in 1814 in the Bay of Islands. Though there were several bloody clashes before 1840, given the number of Europeans settling in New Zealand and the multiple visits by ships, inter-racial conflict was modest. Europeans needed Maori protection, food and labor, and Maoris came to need European articles, especially muskets.

Whaling stations and mission stations became linked to local Maori groups by intermarriage, which also helped keep the peace.The Treaty of Waitangi is seen as New Zealand’s founding document, establishing the country as a nation. Leading Maori chief sand representatives of the British Crown signed the documents at Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands. The signing of the treaty began on February 6, 1840, which has become New Zealand’s national day,known as “Waitangi Day”. Most indigenous people slowly disappeared, or were greatly reduced in number and influence when Europeans immigrated to their country in large numbers.

There are just over four million resident New Zealanders, of which 15% identify themselves as Moari. A high birth rate indicates that proportion will grow in the coming years. Wellington, at the extreme south end of North Island is the New Zealand capital. Apart from its importance as the capital,it’s a major travel crossroads between the North and South Island,with the Wellington-Christchurch car ferry route well-established.

There is an international airport in Wellington (there are a total of seven in all of New Zealand). Another great travel option in New Zealand is going by train, which all about the journey, not necessarily the travel. The Overlander/Northerner runs between Wellington and Auckland and is a stunning way to go from one city to the other, enjoying the scenery rather than worrying about the road.

Auckland, though not the capital, is certainly the city people think of when New Zealand is mentioned, and indeed, will be the city you will most likely fly into for your holiday. Auckland is worth exploring, whether you do it before or after your charter.

Almost one third of all New Zealanders live in Auckland. Situated on a narrow strip of land between two harbors,Auckland is probably surrounded by more long white sandy beaches and islands than any other city in the world. Green parks abound within the city; to the west of the city are vineyards, the Waitakere rainforest, waterfalls, hiking trails and surf beaches. Auckland is so highly energized, there is so much to do, that you might never want to sleep. For those who shun sleep, there is a24-hour casino located in the Sky Tower.

The Sky Tower is also the site of the Sky Jump, a 630 foot, 16 second base wire jump from the observation deck. Yes, you don’t have to be nuts, but it would probably help. Speaking of Spiderman-type activities, there is absorbingly jumping off the Auckland Harbor Bridge, “Ground Rush”(rappelling down the Mercure Hotel) and the “Sky Screamer”,which involves being strapped into a seat and being hurled almost230 feet into the air. Don’t forget to buy travel insurance!More sedate activities to participate in include visiting the National Maritime Museum, the Auckland Zoo (you WILL get to see a kiwi that way!), and the Auckland Art Gallery. Housed in oldster holding tanks, the Kelly Tariton Antarctic Encounter &Underwater World should be on your “to do” list. You travel on a conveyor belt through a transparent tunnel running through the center of the aquarium, stepping off for a closer look when the urge hits you.

The best part is the Antarctic Encounter, which includes awake through a replica of Scott’s 1911 Antarctic hut, and a ride on a Snow Cat through a frozen environment where a colony of King and Gentoo penguins live. If you really need to feel the chill yourself, go visit the Minus 5 Degree Bar, an extraordinary ice bar where every-thing from the seats to your glass is made of ice. Pay $20, put on special clothing and sip a REALLY cold martini. You can only stay in this shimmering pub for a half hour. Lenin Bar next door offers a good view of those freezing themselves. Or, tour the Lion Breweries for an interactive “beer experience”.

The Hauraki Gulf, just to the east of Auckland, is dotted with a multitude of islands, making it a perfect place for chartering. Many are close enough, that if you wanted to return to Auckland and dock in the evening, it would be quite feasible. Some of the larger islands are populated and are excellent places to visit.

Waiheke Island is one of the most popular, with a slower pace than Auckland; plus many picturesque bays and lovely beaches. Did I mention there are over 24vineyards to visit and taste their wines? Great Barrier Island is further away, a rugged and scenic island that is a world (and perhaps 50years) away from anything you have experienced. You will find plenty of unspoiled beaches (the west side), great surfing (east side), hot springs and plenty of hiking paths, but no supermarket!

If rare birds are what you are interested in, ask your captain to take you to visit Tiritiri Matangi Island. It is home to a myriad of endangered birds,including the colorful takahe, the rare saddleback, kiwis and penguins. There are also 47 islands in the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park, loosely divided into two categories: recreation and conservation. The recreation islands are easily visited, and easily spotted, as their harbors shelter yachts in the summer. Conservation islands have restricted access, with special permits to visit some, and some are totally restricted with no access at all. North of Hauraki Gulf, the Bay of Islands beckons. But first,stop by Poor Knight Islands, if there is anyone onboard who SCUBA dives. The area is part of a marine reserve and is reputed to have the best diving in New Zealand; Jacques Cousteau rated them as one of the world’s top 10 dive sites. The islands are bathed in a subtropical current from the Coral Sea, so varieties of tropical and subtropical fish not seen in other coastal waters are observed here.Gin-clear waters, underwater cliffs dropping to a sandy bottom 120 feet below, archways, caves, tunnels and fissures that attract sponges and under-water vegetation.

Manta rays are frequently seen. Diving is also available(and excellent) in the Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park. Long famed for its stunning scenery,the Bay of Islands is one of New Zealand’s major attractions and most popular chartering area. The bay features dozens of coves and inlets surrounding the 150 islands. There is virtually no development on the islands, the towns are all on the mainland. The Bay of Islands was the site of New Zealand’s first permanent English settlement, most likely one of the first places the early Polynesian explorers populated also.

The real charm of the Bay of Islands is the water. Whether you choose to kayak, dive, surf or simply relax and drink in all of the beauty of the area, you could stay for weeks and still not experience everything. However, when you want to get off your charter yacht and stretch your legs, a trip to the nearby Waitangi National Reserve is well worth your time to explore. The Haruru Falls, accessible via a walkway through the Waitangi National Reserve, are lit up at night.If you think the pool at the bottom of the Falls looks inviting, go ahead,jump in!

There are two other excellent areas to explore by charter yacht, actually more, but talk to your captain those secret spots of his. The other two we will discuss here are the Marlborbough Sounds, located between North and South Islands,and Fiord land, on the west coast of South Island. Marlborough Sounds feature countless bays, islands and coves, which were formed by the sea flooding its deep valleys after the ice ages. Parts of the Sounds are now included in the Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park, which is actually many small reserves.

Picton is the small port that often serves as a base to explore the Sounds. Just south of Picton is the town of Blenheim, which is the best place to access New Zealand’s largest wine-growing district. There are more than 50 wineries around Blenheim, where you can also visit breweries, liqueur distilleries and cottage industries promoting homemade preserves and olive oil. Fiord land National Park, New Zealand’s largest and most stunning wilderness area is situated at the southern most reaches of South Island. An expanse of towering mountains, deep valleys and long narrow fiords carved by glaciers, Fiord land has remain untouched by the human encroachment affecting most wilderness areas.

Virgin podocarp and beech forests crown the mountains and are inhabited by rare and exotic wildlife, including: crested penguins, paradise and blue ducks, kiwis, herons and the kakapo parrot. Traveling through the Fiords by yacht is surely the most dramatic and awe-inspiring way to view them, as well as the most comfortable! Fiord land’s majesty and mystique is certainly enough reason for visiting, and is only compounded when the kayaking, diving and fishing opportunities are included.

Other must see, must do places in New Zealand: Mt. Taranaki, located on the North Island. This snow-capped dormant volcano looks so much like Japan’s Mt. Fuji, that it was used as a stand in for it in The Last Samurai. And while we are on the subject of volcanoes,Tongariro National Park on the Central Plateau of the North Island, is home to not one, but three active volcanoes. With such a wealth of volcanic activity, it is little wonder that Tongariro recently played the role of “Mordor” in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. West of Tongariro National Park is the Waitomo area, the name coming from wai(water) and tomo(hole or shaft). The name is appropriate, as numerous shafts throughout the countryside drop abruptly into underground cave systems and streams.

There are more than 300mapped caves in the area. The Waitomo Cave, known as the Glow worm Cave, is just a big cave with the usual stalactites stalagmites, until you board a boat and swing out into the underground river. As your eyes grow accustomed to the dark, a veritable Milky Way of little lights appear…these are the glow-worms. They are also found in other caves, but not in the sheer numbers as in this cave.For those who want an adventure, there are numerous caving trips available, which include rappelling down into caves, tubing along subterranean rivers with waterfalls, squeezing through tight, narrow passageways and traversing huge caverns.

Again, should I remind you to make sure your travel insurance is paid up?New Zealand has it all. When do you want to go? Where do you want to start? What do you want to do? For heaven’s sakes, don’t just sit there; call your charter agent!

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