New Zealand

• November 2010
  • Trip Report
• January 2016
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• January 2018
  • Trip Report
  • Species List
• January 2019
  • Trip Report
  • Species List
• October 2022
  • Species List
• October 2023
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• October 2024
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• January 2025
  • Species List
  • Trip Report
• January 2026
  • Species List
  • Trip Report

This information is important for being prepared for your journey; we want you to have the best experience possible. If you only read one section, this one is key!

Ahead of Your Tour

• Make sure your passport will be valid at least three months after the date of your scheduled return to the U.S..
• At the time of writing, all travelers to New Zealand need to complete and submit a New Zealand traveler declaration (NZTD) and receive a Traveller Pass at least 24 hours prior to departure.
• U.S. citizens traveling to or transiting through New Zealand under the visa waiver program are required to request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). See "Passport, Visa & Documents" section below.
• Please check current CDC recommendations for travel to New Zealand and consult with your doctor about general travel vaccinations you should have as precaution for travel. See the “General Health and Inoculations” section below.
• Travel insurance in case of serious medical emergency is strongly recommended. Full health coverage and repatriation is available through Allianz Travel Insurance.
• Soft sided luggage/duffel bags are easiest for packing the vans. Pack essential medications in your carry-on luggage, as well as one day of clothing and optics in case of luggage delay.

Passports, Visas & Documents

Guidelines and regulations can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s documentation requirements 60-90 days ahead of traveling. Information for U.S. citizens can be found at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/NewZealand.html. If you are from another country, please contact the New Zealand embassy website for guidelines.

Passport: You must have a passport that is in good condition and is valid for at least three months AFTER your scheduled return to the U.S. You should have at least one blank page per stamp. The blank pages need to say “Visas” at the top. Pages marked “Amendments and Endorsements” will not be accepted. 

New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)

• U.S. citizens traveling to or transiting through New Zealand under the visa waiver program will need to request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authorization (NZeTA).
• It can take up to 72 hours to process an NZeTA so apply well in advance of your trip. The NZeTA is valid for multiple visits for up to two years.
• You will need to provide proof of your valid passport in the application.
• If your NZeTA application is denied, you will need to apply for a visa. Visit the Embassy of New Zealand website for the most current visa information.

New Zealand Traveler Declaration (NZTD)

• Travelers to New Zealand by air will be required to complete and submit a New Zealand Traveler Declaration (NZTD) and receive a Traveler Pass prior to departure.
• The NZTD collects and assesses a person’s travel-related information, such as passport details, contact details in New Zealand (if staying in multiple locations, use the first address you will be at in New Zealand), travel history from the last 30 days, flight details, information about what you are bringing into New Zealand, including checked-in luggage and carry-on bags, immigration status including your visa or NZeTA, if you need one.
• The NZeTD is an online system. Once you start your digital declaration, you will get an email with a reference number. You can use this to make any changes up until you reach passport control in New Zealand. 
• Once you have submitted your declaration, you will receive an email that includes information on what you need to know to enter New Zealand, based on what you have told them.
• You will need to resubmit your declaration if you make any changes to it. You do not need to print anything out. Your New Zealand Traveller Declaration will automatically be checked when your passport is scanned at the eGate or by a border officer. 

As a precaution for lost or misplaced documents you carry on your person during travel, we highly recommend you keep hard and digital backup copies on your phone (either photo or PDF scan), as well as a hard copy left with your emergency contact at home. The recommended important documents to copy include, but are not limited to; your passport ID page, travel visa, the front and back of your credit card(s), the airline barcode on your luggage. This will greatly expedite getting new ones if necessary – we hope everyone will always keep travel documents close so that losing them will not be an issue.

General Health & Inoculations Information – Be Prepared!

Health requirements for entry to any country can change. It is always advisable to double-check the country’s health requirements and recommendations 60-90 days ahead of traveling. A helpful website for planning is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for New Zealand or by phone (800) CDC-INFO or (800) 232-4636.

We will share your health information with your guide. This information will be kept confidential but is very important as we want to be best prepared in case of medical emergency.

Vaccinations: Bring copies of your current vaccination records with you. There are no required vaccinations to enter New Zealand, however, the CDC recommends that all travelers be up to date with routine as well as basic travel vaccinations before traveling to any destination. Consult with your doctor for recommendations at least 4- 6 weeks before departing on your trip as some vaccines may require more than one dose and time to become effective. 

Prescriptions: It is a good idea to pack any meds you take regularly in your carry-on luggage.  Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses. Bring an adequate supply of any prescription medications you use, a copy of the prescription and a list of generic names of your medicines as “back-up” in case it is necessary to purchase drugs while abroad. You’ll want to keep medications in their original, labeled containers. 

Allergies: To be prepared for environmental triggers to allergies or breathing difficulties, please bring your allergy and/or asthma medication(s).  If you have severe allergies talk to your doctor about carrying an EPI pen and notify your guides. It is also recommended to carry with you an up-to-date record of known allergies, chronic medical problems and Medic Alerts so that, if necessary, emergency treatment can be carried out without endangering your health.

Common Ailments: We recommend that you bring a travel-sized first aid kit and a supply of standard over-the-counter medications for prevention or treatment of common ailments (such as diarrhea, constipation, stomach upset, cough, congestion, head or body aches, insect bites and sunburn); as well as ointments, moisturizer, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, band-aids, moleskin for blisters, cotton swabs, nail clippers, and tweezers, etc.

Altitude illness: According to the CDC's website, day trips to high-elevation destinations less than 8000 ft. with an evening return to a lower elevation are much less stressful on the body, depending on the time provided for your body to adjust. However, overnights at high altitudes may have more adverse affects on your body and you should be informed about altitude illness and Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) (see CDC's information for Altitude Illness). The most general symptoms are headache and occasionally fatigue and dizziness. You’ll want to take it easy, particularly at first. The likelihood of these symptoms can be reduced by resting, drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol, taking aspirin and optimize acclimatization by adjusting itineraries to avoid going “too high too fast." If you have worries about the altitude, ask your physician about medications (such as Diamox) that may be right for you. 

New Zealand is a modern nation with excellent sanitation; travel poses few health concerns. Water is safe to drink. Bring a first aid kit and medications for common ailments. The internal parasite Giardia does occur in New Zealand, so do not be tempted to drink from wilderness streams.

Weather & Climate

Temperatures may vary throughout the areas you will be visiting (inland versus coast and for day and night excursions). Summer in New Zealand falls between December and February with warm to moderately hot temperatures, depending on location and longer daylight hours. Daytime temperatures in January may range from 68-77°F. Evening temps may go as low as upper 40s°F - low 60s°F. In summer, it rarely gets hot, however, occasionally the temperature can reach or exceed 95°F in January and February in the eastern part of both islands, while on the west coasts the records are about 86°F.

North Island: The northern region and its eastern coast is typically sunnier and drier than the southern half of New Zealand, but there can still be plenty of rain. Temperatures will gradually become cooler the further south you go.

South Island: The South Island has been known for its variable weather swings. The locals would say you could experience all four seasons in one day. 

Visit https://www.climatestotravel.com for an overview. You may want to check your favorite weather information website for forcasts and predictions closer to your date of travel.

Annoyances & Hazards

Mosquitoes can be found in New Zealand, as well as biting sand flies in mountain and coastal environments. There are no snakes or dangerous animals, making outdoor activities safe for visitors. Bring insect repellent, and consider lightweight, long-sleeved clothing. The sun can be strong, so plan to protect yourself against it.

Food & Drinks

We stop at convenience stores for our rest stops while traveling, and lodges have potable water to fill up your water bottle. Beer and wine are readily available for purchase at hotels, and we can stop to purchase liquor if needed. We can also stop for snacks and supplies; your guide shops for picnic lunches en route. Sometimes it’s just fun to see what markets carry!

Packing, Clothing & Laundry

Please, pack light. We are serious about this – we move around a lot; you just do not need much to cope with tropical life! Please do not bring anything more than you must. 

Pack using soft-sided luggage, if at all possible, as it is easier to organize van space.  Label your luggage with ID tags inside and out. Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure.

TRAVEL TIP: Imagine NOT getting your suitcase. Wear your most important shoes for the field and have one day’s clothing change (including a change of underwear!). And please DO NOT pack any essential medications, or your vital optics, in your checked luggage!

Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. While some people will change for dinner, it is usually just to a drier or cleaner version of what they wore during the day. Dressing in layers is the best way to be comfortable. Choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy and things that are comfortable and easy to launder and dry out.

Laundry services are generally available, but easiest if we have several days in one location. There is a full, complimentary laundry facility with washers and dryers at the Wilderness Lodge at Arthur's Pass, conveniently half-way through our itinerary.

See “Packing List” tab for detailed information regarding this tour and further recommendations.

Spending Money

It is always wise to inform your bank about your travel plans to prevent potential card blocks or suspicions of fraud when making overseas card payments.

New Zealand uses the New Zealand dollar. For the current exchange rate, please refer to online converter tool like www.xe.com, or your bank. You will be able to change money after your arrival. Travelex, at airports, is a cost-effective source. It is advisable to take some of the money in smaller bills for local shopping. We advise you carry a mix of different types of payments, such as the cash, an ATM card, and a credit card. Make sure you know your ATM PIN number. You should also inform your bank and your credit card companies that you will be traveling outside the country to avoid a freeze on your account – many banks do this as a security measure when unexpected purchases are made. If you want to withdraw cash while in New Zealand, debit cards are more cost-effective thatn credit cards which can charge high fees. If you plan to exchange cash in country, bring large U.S. bill ($50 or $100) in good condition that will give you the better rate when exchanging to local currency.

People often ask how much spending money to bring. Part of the answer depends on how much you want to shop. Tempting souvenirs are endless, and most shops take VISA and MasterCard or American Express. You may also want to bring cash for drinks with dinner (if available) or smaller local purchases.

Also, a number of meals are on your own – you pay for these yourself (these meals are marked on your itinerary). In most cases you can choose from a variety of restaurants.

Gratuities

Please note, unlike our other international tours, this tour price does not include tips, which are not typically part of New Zealand culture. If you feel like you would like to tip (though not expected), please bring along some local currency.

Cell Phones & Internet Service

Your guide is well connected and can help if any urgent communication need arises. However, it is highly recommended that you travel with a cell phone, if only as a precaution for the unfortunate occurrence of a medical emergency during an outing and needing swift accessibility to critical personal or medical contacts. 

Please check with your wireless provider to see if your phone and service will work in your destination country. Options include activating international roaming, purchasing a local SIM card at the airport (newer phones may not accept SIM cards), or simply turning off cellular service and relying on Wi-Fi to make calls and access the internet.

If your phone can connect to Wi-Fi, you may be able to make voice and video calls free of charge. Please contact your cell phone provider for further details. Another option if you have access to Wi-Fi, is to use smartphone apps like Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber to send text messages, and make voice calls, or video calls. Many smartphones, tablets, or laptops come with one of these apps pre-installed or you can download for free. If bringing a laptop or tablet, get a good dustcover to protect it at all times.

Make sure if you do NOT want to use your cell phone that you turn off your cellular data. You could incur huge charges if you are not on Wi-Fi. Putting your phone in airplane mode if you mainly use it for photos will save the battery as well. 

Please refrain from taking or making cell phone calls in the vehicles when traveling with other passengers, unless it appears to be an emergency. This disrupts other guests, plan on cell phone call use on your own time.

Electricity

The standard in New Zealand is 230 Volts at 50 Hertz. The power plugs and sockets are of Type I. If you travel to New Zealand with a device that does not accept 230 Volts at 50 Hertz, you will need a voltage converter. Depending on how much you plan to travel in the future, it may be worthwhile to get a combination voltage converter and plug adapter. More information can be found at www.power-plugs-sockets.com.

Time

New Zealand is on New Zealand Standard Time (GMT+12), with daylight savings time. Time in Auckland is 16 hours ahead of New York City. Check www.timeanddate.com before leaving home for your conversion.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone at our office: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey!

Pace of the Tour & What to Expect

You will receive a Schedule-at-a-Glance and list of hotels (our eContact List) a few weeks before your departure. This will serve as an outline for each day and alert you to any recent changes made in the schedule or to our hotels, if needed.

Our journeys are set up to follow the rhythm of nature. Our focus is on birding and nature; we offer full, well-planned field days and often get up early for that magical time around dawn. We generally follow the published itinerary, but we stay flexible to the weather, wildlife opportunities and the interests of the group. Your guide will keep you apprised of the next day’s schedule at each evening meal, noting what to bring and what to prepare for. Questions and/or concerns are welcome.

The pace of our Naturalist Journeys tours is moderate; to fully participate you should be able to get in and out of vehicles several times a day, and walk 1-3 miles over uneven terrain. It is important to participate with a flexible attitude as adjustments may be made in our schedule to make the most of our time in the field or for other purposes at your guide's discretion. We are not a “listing” bird company that drills down on target species, but at times we do wait for those special species unique to the places we visit. During the day, we take time to stop for photos and for educational opportunities to learn about conservation projects, landscapes, and geology. We appreciate other taxa as well as birds, with mammals often the biggest draw but plants and butterflies are also very popular. Our clients often lend their own expertise to the mix.

We like to make meals a fun and memorable part of the experience, too. Breakfasts are often at hotels, and we carry snacks, fruit, and water in the vans each day. Lunches are a mix of picnics in the field (weather dependent) and a chance to dine with locals at small cafes and restaurants. For dinner, we pride ourselves in our homework to keep up with the best choices for dining, choosing restaurants with atmosphere that specialize in local foods. On occasion we keep dinner simple to go back out in the field for sunset wildlife viewing or night walks. In some remote locations, our choices are limited. If you are tired, room service for dinner may be an option you can choose.

Naturalist Journeys International Trips: Guide Role

Naturalist Journeys supports ecotourism and the development of excellent local guides. Once we know our international partners and guides well, we can send out small groups working directly with these trusted partners, adding a Naturalist Journeys guide to assist the local expert when we have a group of 6-7 or more. This helps us keep your costs down while retaining tour quality. The local guide is your main guide. You can expect your Naturalist Journeys guide to be well-researched and often they are experienced in the destination, but their role is not to be primary, it is to help to organize logistics, help you find birds, mammals, and interesting other species in the field, keep reports, help facilitate group interactions, and to keep the trip within Naturalist Journeys' style. Local guides live in the countries we travel to, know the destinations intimately, and are often the strongest force for conservation in their countries. They open many doors for us to have a rich experience.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any vehicle or in any situation where the group is participating in an activity together, such as a vehicle excursion or a guided walk. Please respect all designated smoking areas at hotels and restaurants.

Transportation

As a courtesy to each other, we ask that all travelers please rotate seating. On international trips we may all be in one small bus, on some trips we are in vans, particularly the roomy Sprinter Vans when available. Some areas require us to be in smaller 4-wheel drive or safari vehicles. Rotation allows you to sit with different drivers and alternate front and back seating.

Photo Release & Sharing

We take many group photos and will share photos with the group. And after your tour, we will organize a chance to share photos via Dropbox or Google Photos. Please note that this is our policy and if you prefer to be excluded, we need to know ahead of your tour.

By registering for this tour, you agree to grant to Naturalist Journeys and its authorized representatives’ permission to record on photography film and/or video, pictures of my participation in the tour. You further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote Naturalist Journeys, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation.

Travel Insurance

You are traveling in remote areas. Naturalist Journeys strongly recommends you have full medical and evacuation insurance from a company such as Allianz, for all international travel. If you do not have medical coverage or evacuation coverage on your existing travel insurance policy or for some reason elected not to take that out, we advise getting an evacuation plan with Global Rescue, World Nomads, Medjet, Allianz (they can do evacuation only) or a similar company. These plans are typically $300-$400 for a year for multiple destinations. This coverage may be a part of a larger Travel Insurance policy but can also be purchased on its own.

Questions?

Please contact Naturalist Journeys by email at clientservices@naturalistjourneys.com or telephone our office: (520) 558-1146 or toll free: (866) 900-1146 if you have any questions. Many thanks for traveling with us and we hope you enjoy your journey.

Please pack light!

Please reconfirm your airline’s baggage weight and size restrictions about a week or so before departure. Soft luggage is much easier for us to pack in vans than a more rigid hard sided piece, so if you have the choice, please use your soft luggage.  Be sure to have your name and address on the inside of the bag, as well as on the luggage tag on the handle.  It is our hope that you can pack in one checked bag that does not exceed 45 pounds.  If lighter, all the better!

Carry-On: Be sure to pack your personal medications, binoculars, camera, and other essential items in your carry-on bag and your travel documentation and money in a document pouch on your person, NOT in your checked luggage. You will want a day pack for field trips, so this is an ideal carry-on. 

Travel Tip: To be on the safe side in case of luggage delay, consider wearing your most important shoes for the field and have one change of clothing for the field in your carry-on (including a change of underwear)!

Pack clothing that is appropriate for the anticipated temperatures and conditions.  See the "Weather & Climate" section under "Essential Information" for general seasonal climate info for the date of this tour. In addition, you may check your preferred weather app closer to departure to get a better idea of the weather to expect.

Dress is comfortable and informal throughout the trip. Dressing in layers is the best way to be comfortable. Lightweight long sleeve shirts and long pants make ideal field clothing as they are more protective from sun, vegetation, and pests. But by all means bring some shorts if you prefer to wear them. Also, choose clothing you don’t mind getting dirty or muddy and things that are loose-fitting, comfortable and easy to layer, launder and dry out. A lightweight and waterproof outer layer is essential as well as comfortable hiking footwear.

Treating your clothing to better protect you from insects: It is possible to purchase Permethrin spray (online or from REI) to treat your field clothing and socks before your departure. Another approach is to purchase field clothing permeated with insect repellent such as the Craghoppers Insect Shield collection.

Note on clothing colors: We recommend muted colors of tan, brown, khaki, grey or green, as they are spotted less easily than white or bright colors, though camouflage clothing is not recommended.

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND TRAVELING WITH PRECIOUS OR VALUABLE JEWELRY – don’t tempt anyone and don’t bring things you’d regret losing, and your mind will be at ease!

Clothing & Gear

• Long pants, 2 – 3 pairs (comfortable and loose fitting is best)
• Thicker pair of pants for cold nights
• Lightweight long underwear/ or fleece tights that can layer with rain pants
• Shorts or zip-off/convertible pants (optional)
• Lightweight long-sleeved shirts – 2 or 3
• T-shirts or equivalent, 3 - 4 (remember you may buy some souvenir tees along the way!)
• Personal underclothing and pajamas
• Socks (easy to hand wash and dry)
• Raincoat or poncho (great if this doubles as a windbreaker)
• Rain pants (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
• Comfortable evening clothes (clean field clothes are appropriate, but feel free to go dressier if you wish)
• Bathing suit (optional)
• Broad-brimmed hat
• Bandana
• Comfortable walking shoes (tennis shoes, etc.)
• Lightweight hiking boots (preferably waterproof with good ankle support and non-slip soles)
• Comfortable light shoes for evenings, travel days (Crocs work well or sandals)
• Warm jacket: fleece fabric is ideal, but a sweatshirt or sweater will do
• Wind/waterproof gloves – for night spotting
• Warm scarf
• Warm windproof hat – for night spotting
• Field vest (optional): a great source is Big Pockets

Equipment & Miscellaneous

• Photo identification (name should match your passport to avoid issues with confirming your identity)
• Airline tickets or E-ticket verification
• Passport, visa, travel insurance info, money & credit cards.
• A secure pouch to carry the items above on your person at all times (such as a secure, under-clothing document pouch)
• As a backup: copies of all the above (phone and/or paper) packed in a separate location than on your person, plus a set given to your emergency contact at home as a backup. For passport, copy of the  ID and entry stamp pages.
• Small daypack to carry gear while hiking
• Cell phone and charger
• Binoculars
• Camera and charger/extra batteries, memory cards/film, lens cleaning supplies and instruction manual (optional)
• Spotting scope and tripod (optional – guide will have them)
• Tablet/laptop for personal use and/or transferring photos, USB stick, USB cord and charger (optional)
• Power plug adapter & electrical transformer (New Zealand uses a unique three-pronged plug on a 250v system)
• Small flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries
• Alarm clock (or use your cell phone)
• Sunscreen/lip balm with high SPF
• Sunglasses with neck strap
• Insect repellent with DEET
• Toilet articles
• Personal water bottle (to refill during the journey –  we do try to save on plastics!)
• Walking sticks if you use them regularly, collapsible poles work well
• Umbrella (optional)
• Notebook and pen or journal (optional)
• Field guides (optional)
• Earplugs (if hotel noise or roommates snoring may bother you; optional)
• Rechargeable power bank (optional)
• Hand-washing laundry kit: large zip-lock bag and/or sink stopper that stopper that fits all sizes, short piece of clothesline, and laundry soap (consider non-liquid laundry soap "sheets" that pack flat, and are lightweight and environmentally friendly).
• Washcloth (optional – not always provided in hotels)
• Travel sewing kit
• A collapsible airplane footrest (such as an inflatable, foldable, or hammock type) may help make longer flights more comfortable. Some airlines may have restrictions, so confirm with your airline which types are allowed and where they may be not allowed, i.e. bulkhead or exit rows (optional)

Medical & First Aid Items

• Heath insurance and vaccination records (kept in personal pouch with other travel documents)
• Personal prescription medications (and copy of vital prescriptions)
• Motion sickness preventatives if likely to be needed on bus, van drives, the ferry ride, etc.
• Personal first aid kit and over the counter medications for general ailments (Imodium or Lomotil, packed in their original packaging
• Antihistamine cream or tablets, eye drops, etc.)
• Copy of eyeglass prescription, medical prescriptions, and any medical alerts
• Extra pair of eyeglasses or contacts
• Band-aids, moleskin to protect against blisters
• Small bottle of hand sanitizer

There are many titles of interest for New Zealand. The following are a few that we have enjoyed that can get you started.

Top Picks

A Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand

Merlin App – New Zealand Pack. A phone-based birding app from Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Before departing the U.S., download the app for free, then from within the app, download the “pack” for New Zealand.

New Zealand – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

The Hand Guide to the Birds of New Zealand

Birds of New Zealand and the Outlying Islands

Collins Field Guide to New Zealand Wildlife

Field Guide to the Wildlife of New Zealand

Reed Field Guide to New Zealand Trees

A Photographic Guide to Wildflowers of New Zealand

The Field Guide to New Zealand Geology 

Birds of New Zealand app in the Apple App Store. An interactive version of the newly released Birds of New Zealand: A Photographic Guide

Natural History

New Zealand: A Natural History

Moa: The Life and Death of New Zealand’s Legendary Bird

History & Culture

Lonely Planet New Zealand by Lonely Planet

A Concise History of New Zealand

A Traveller’s History of New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands

Come On Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All

Straying from the Flock; Travels in New Zealand

Making Peoples: A History of the New Zealanders, from Polynesian Settlement to the End of the Nineteenth Century

The Bone People (Booker Prize Winning Novel)

There is a good selection of books available for sale at visitors’ centers, and your guide will also have a selection of reference books and materials for participants to share. As an Amazon Associate, Naturalist Journeys earns from qualifying purchases, and may get commissions for purchases made through links on this page at no added cost to you.

General

New Zealand – Encyclopedic Overview

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand

Auckland

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland

Nature, Wildlife & Biology

Birding New Zealand

• https://www.birdingnz.co.nz/

Ornithological Society of New Zealand

• https://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/osnz

Birds A – Z – New Zealand

• https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/

General Bird List, Including Extinct Birds

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_New_Zealand

Endemic Birds

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_endemic_birds_of_New_Zealand

New Zealand Storm-Petrel – Critically Endangered

• https://ebird.org/species/nezstp1

Birds of Prey - Be sure to read the “full story”

• https://teara.govt.nz/en/birds-of-prey

Flightless Birds

• https://teara.govt.nz/en/land-birds-overview/page-3

Tiritiri Matangi Island

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiritiri_Matangi_Island

Beech Forests of New Zealand

• https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-plants/beech-forest/

Milford Sound Wildlife

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milford_Sound#Wildlife

Native Animal Overview

• https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/

A profile of the endemic Hector’s Dolphin - WWF

• https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/hector-s-dolphin

Nature and Wildlife Overview

• https://www.newzealand.com/us/nature-and-wildlife/

Conservation, Parks & Reserves

New Zealand Bird Atlas Project Complete 2024

• https://ebird.org/atlasnz/news/new-zealand-bird-atlas-finishes-on-a-high

Mount Cook National Park

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aoraki_/_Mount_Cook_National_Park

Miranda Wildlife Sanctuary

• https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/mirandas-migratory-birds/

Department of Conservation: A great, all-encompassing website with plenty of general (but thorough) wildlife information; a great site to pique your curiosity on topics to google further

• https://www.doc.govt.nz/

Kiwis for Kiwi

• https://savethekiwi.nz/

Geology & Geography

Geology of New Zealand - GNS Science

• https://www.gns.cri.nz/our-science/land-and-marine-geoscience/geology-of-new-zealand/

Mount Ruapehu

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Ruapehu

Canterbury Plains

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canterbury_Plains#Geology

Geography of Fiordland National Park

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiordland_National_Park#Geographical_features

History & Culture

Pureora Forest Park

• https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/waikato/places/pureora-forest-park/historic-pureora-forest-park/

"20 years on, a transformed New Zealand looks back at 'Lord of the Rings'" - L.A. Times Article by Kevin Baxter

• https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2023-11-28/lord-of-the-rings-return-of-the-king-20th-oscars-new-zealand-film-industry

A summary of human history of New Zealand

• https://teara.govt.nz/en/history

New Zealand History – Covering a wide variety of topics from culture to politics and more

• https://nzhistory.govt.nz/

Helpful Travel Websites

National Passport Information Center

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

Homeland Security Real ID Act

• https://www.dhs.gov/real-id

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

• https://www.cbp.gov/travel

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• https://www.tsa.gov

Foreign Exchange Rates

• https://www.xe.com/

ATM Locator

• https://www.visa.com/atmlocator/
• https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/find-nearest-atm.html

U.S. Department of State International Travel Information – New Zealand

• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/NewZealand.html

Center for Disease Control (CDC) – New Zealand

• https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/new-zealand

Canada Travel Advice and Advisories – New Zealand

• https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/new-zealand

Travel Health Pro (UK) – New Zealand

• https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/162/new-zealand

Electricity and Plugs – New Zealand

• https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/new-zealand/

Date, Time, and Holidays – New Zealand

• https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/new-zealand
• https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/new-zealand/