Free Travel Newsletter : November 2012

Written by Steph Kendall

Brought to you by New Zealand Tourism Guide www.tourism.net.nz.

Lucky Subscriber

Congratulations to Helen Mclisky, this month's lucky Free Travel Newsletter subscriber, winning "Kiwi Country New Zealand DVD".

There is a lot of information this month about Christmas events happening all across New Zealand – wherever you there is something festive happening not far away be it a parade, market, carol singing or, er, sheep shearing event. For those who prefer to avoid Christmas crackers, we highlight hiking and hunting opportunities in some of South Island's most spectacular regions. By now, we are convinced you'll want to stay longer in the land of the long white cloud, so we have also included tips on how to find a job in New Zealand.

• Christmas Crackers
• Other December Events
• Taste the Rural Life on State Highway 14
• Probably The Best Hunting in the World
• Off the Beaten Track to... Hump Ridge
• Jobs in New Zealand
• New Zealand Fast Facts

Christmas Crackers

It's impossible to mention all the Christmas events happening this December, so we are highlighting a selection. If you are in need of some Christmas cheer, do search online, read the local press or see a nearby advert to find the event nearest to you. Here are a few tips on what to pick:

• Look for free, family-focused events – they are great fun, well-attended and professionally run.
• Watch for 'Unwrapping Christmas' events in Auckland and Christmas/ Santa parades in the larger cities (Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton).
• Traditional carol services – outdoors by candlelight or indoors. (Look out for carols sung at the falls and by the sea in Auckland.)

• New World Wine & Food Festival, Hagley Park North, Christchurch City, 8th December
• Carols at the Falls, Falls Park, Auckland, 8th December
• Kaeo Christmas Parade & Festival, Whangaroa College, Kaeo, 8th December
• Karori Fair Day, Karori Community Centre, Wellington, 8th December
• Christmas Craft Market, Lopdell House Gallery, Auckland, 8th December
• Rags Christmas Night Market, Masterton Town Hall, Masterton, 8th December
• Morrinsville Christmas Parade, Morrinsville Town Centre, Morrinsville, 8th December
• Tupare Christmas Garden Fair, Tupare Gardens, New Plymouth, 8th December
• Santa Parade, Lions Park, Te Anau, 8th December
• Waiuku NZ Steel Christmas Parade, Queen St, Auckland, 8th December
• Gypsy Fair Original, St Aidan's Reserve, Auckland, 8th December
• The Gypsy Travellers Fair, Takapuwahia Park, Porirua, 8th December
• Vintage Christmas Market & Fair, Historic Athenree Homestead, Katikati, 9th December
• Santa Steam Train Special to Feilding Christmas Parade, Feilding, 9th December
• Hamilton City Christmas Parade, Hamilton, 9th December
• Birkenhead Santa Parade 2012, Birkenhead Town Centre, Auckland, 9th December
• Feilding Christmas Parade & Carnival, Manchester Square, Feilding, 9th December
• Rangiora Toyota Santa Parade, High Street, Rangiora, 9th December
• Feilding to Rangitawa Christmas Train, Feilding Railway Station, Feilding, 9th December
• Community Carol Singing, Memorial Park, Palmerston North, 12th December
• Paihia Christmas Parade, Paihia Town, Paihia, 13th December
• Christmas Encraftment, Latimer Square, Christchurch City, 14th December
• Christmas Festival, Northland Events Centre (Toll Stadium), Whangarei, 15th December
• Christmas Arts & Crafts Fair, Lawson Field Theatre, Gisborne, 15th December
• Kawerau Christmas in the Park, Prideaux Park, Kawerau, 15th December
• Waiheke Carols by the Sea, Oneroa Little Reserve, Auckland, 15th December
• Glen Eden Christmas Carnival, Ceramco Park, Auckland, 15th December
• Carols at Cobblestones, Cobblestones Regional Early Settlers Museum, Greytown, 15th December
• Fiesta of Lights - A Million Watts of Family Fun, Hawke's Bay A & P Showgrounds, Hastings, 15th December
• Glow by St Pauls, Vector Arena, Auckland, 16th December
• Twilight Christmas Craft Fair, Oratia Settlers Hall, Auckland, 16th December
• Christmas In the Park, Flagstaff Park, Hamilton, 16th December
• Martinborough Christmas Parade, Martinborough Square, Martinborough, 16th December
• Carols by Candlelight, Feilding Civic Centre, Feilding, 16th December
• Santa Steam Spectacular, Silver Stream Railway, Upper Hutt, 16th December
• Christmas Market Week, Riccarton House & Bush, Christchurch City, 17th December
• Kauri Carols : Church and Picnic, Kaurihohore Historic Church, Whangarei, 18th December
• Christmas Night Market & Carnival, Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland, 19th December
• Rangiora Celebration Night, High St, Rangiora, 20th December
• Big Bang End of School Christmas Party, Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and History, Palmerston North, 21st December
• Russell Santa Parade and Christmas in the Yard, The Duke of Marlborough Hotel, Russell, 22nd December

Other December Events

At danger of getting overlooked by the tinsel, trees and baubles are these other great events happening in December.

• National Jandal Day 2012, 7th December – Wear your jandals to celebrate New Zealand surf lifeguards and raise money for their work.
• Love Your Mountain Day 2012, Mt Eden Reserve (Maungawhau), Auckland, 9th December - Walk, picnic and explore the mountain in safety on the only day of the year when Maungawhau is closed to all traffic.
• Zirka Circus, Manfeild, Feilding, 13th December - Death defying acrobatics, incredible group acts, individual brilliance and ridiculous clowns...
• Stonehenge Summer Solstice, Carterton, 22nd December - In this awe-inspiring place, people young and old can explore the mysteries of the past and learn how early cultures, including New Zealand Māori, used the Sun, Moon and stars for life and survival.

Taste the Rural Life on State Highway 14

If you head down State Highway 14 on the North Island of New Zealand, you may notice a rural community going by the name of Tangiteroria. You may miss it completely as it's only a small place with a school, service station, church, marae, community centre... and pub. The Tangiteroria Tavern. Quiet on the outside, but it can be full of life on the inside – pups, pints and one or two men pulling down their pants!

Take a break from tinsel, Santa Parades and Christmas parties by joining the lively locals at the speed shearing competition on 22nd December. (You just don't see this every day.)

Find out more about the Tangiteroria Tavern Speed Shear Competition.

Probably The Best Hunting in the World

New Zealand offers some of the finest trophy hunting in the world in some of the New Zealand's most spectacular scenery. Some of the best regions for hunting are in the South Island and include the West Coast, Lake Brunner, Fiordland, Central Otago and the Southern Alps. The following are hunted: deer, chamois, tahr, pigs, wallabies, goats, waterfowl and birds.

It is recommended that visitors hire as professional guide as New Zealand's forests and mountains are physically demanding, the weather unpredictable and local knowledge essential for a successful hunt. At the high end of the market, guided hunting is offered by top quality lodges and retreats on private land otherwise not accessible to the public.

Find out more about hunting in New Zealand and guided hunt operators.

Off the Beaten Track to... Hump Ridge

One of the most enjoyable hiking experiences in New Zealand can be found in the remote south-west Fiordland. The Tuatapere Hump Ridge Track is a 55-kilometre, 3-day loop walk and included even in the basic hiking package are luxuries such as hot showers, flush toilets, small bunk rooms, porridge and pillows! The real highlight, however, is a loop track at the top of the Hump Ridge range which winds around soaring limestone tors and offers panoramic views of south-west Fiordland, the Southern Ocean and Stewart Island...(more)

Jobs in New Zealand

Working in New Zealand is a great way to experience Kiwi life and to extend your time travelling and exploring the country. Although it's relatively a small country, a single week or month will never feel enough when there is so much to do and see.

• Working Visas - Find out if you're eligible to apply for a working visa in New Zealand by visiting the government's Immigration website. If you are aged between 18-30, you may qualify for the Working Holiday visa – applications can be made online.
  If you are using an immigration advisor, then use a licensed professional to ensure the best service and protection possible.
• Your Job Search - Start your job search by browsing New Zealand Tourism Guide's job vacancies. They include nationwide listings for casual, part-time and full-time jobs in the catering, hospitality, diving, marketing, travel industries plus lots more.

New Zealand Fast Facts

The Hauraki Gulf lies on the east of the North Island between the Auckland region, the Hauraki Plains, the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island. (Hauraki is Māori for North Wind.) The area is well-known for its many swimming and surfing beaches.

Great Barrier Island is the largest and most distant island in the Gulf and is believed to be the original landing point of the first Polynesian explorers, who named the country 'Aotearoa', or land of the long white cloud, because from sea, the first indication of land was long low cloud. Whilst the island is remote, flights and ferries operate regularly. The island is said to have some of the best fishing in New Zealand.