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New Zealand, Naturally Our local expert reveals the best places to spot wildlife and how a Māori concept has laid the groundwork for responsible travel.
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What surprises people most when they visit New Zealand? New Zealand is the entire world in one California-sized bite of land. Geographically, we have every natural formation, from glaciers to beaches and, every three or four hours of travel time, the scenery changes as dramatically as if you’re in another country. It’s worth giving yourself a good two weeks to explore.
How did the country get the kiwi off the endangered species list? Our native birds, including the kiwi, had no natural predators, so they didn’t need to fly, but many became endangered when settlers arrived and introduced other species, such as rats, ferrets and weasels. Thanks to conservation efforts like predator-free programs, kiwi are now thriving in many regions. We take clients on a behind-the-scenes tour of a kiwi hatchery in Rotorua, on the North Island, and you can often spot them in the wild at night.
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What role do visitors play in preserving the Land of the Long White Cloud? We adhere strongly to the Māori concept of Tiaki, which, in essence, means to care, conserve and protect. This care — for people, place and culture — is endorsed by Tourism New Zealand as the Tiaki Promise, a set of principles for responsible travel we ask all visitors to respect.
Where are some other hot spots for wildlife sightings? The east coast of the South Island is rich in marine life, including seals and dusky dolphins, and sperm whales reside year-round at Kaikōura. Head farther south to Akaroa Harbour for the world’s rarest (and smallest) dolphin, the incredibly cute Hector’s dolphin.
Sarah Farag OWNER & DIRECTOR OF SOUTHERN CROSSINGS
Southern Crossings is a leader in tailored luxury travel itineraries Down Under. Just how tailored? Since joining in 1997, Farag says they’ve “never repeated an itinerary.” She now heads up the company’s New Zealand and Australia teams, curating custom travel experiences for clients.
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RANGE BY ENSEMBLE
ABOVE For a unique perspective on the South Island’s fur seals, book a guided seal-swimming experience. Underwater, these ungainly mammals can be surprisingly graceful.
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SOUTHERN CROSSINGS (SARAH FARAG); ANDRÉ LERGIER/UNSPLASH (SEALS IN KAIKŌURA).
By Aimi Mayne
