"Departing from Dunedin's glorious bluestone-and-stained-glass railway station—built between 1903 and 1906—the Taieri Gorge Railway negotiates tunnels, wends through river gorges, and traverses heritage viaducts across deep and rugged ravines. Round-trips to and from the sleepy village of Pukerangi take around four hours, and if you're planning on embarkingon the cycling adventure of the Otago Central Rail Trail, some trains continue a further two hours to the trailhead town of Middlemarch. Either way, try and sample a Taieri George beer at the Emerson's brewery in Dunedin. The honey-and-spice winter beer is crafted by proprietor Richard Emerson as a tribute to his late father, George, who was one of the founders of the railway."

"Following a powerful earthquake in February 2011, the Christchurch Cathedral was severely damaged, and while there is an ongoing ideological and economic debate over whether or not the Gothic-style church can, or should be, repaired, the Anglican parishioners of New Zealand 's second-largest city can now worship in this fascinating edifice made of, among other things, 96 giant cardboard tubes. Designed by Shigeru Ban, a Japanese architect who specializes in building temporary structures following natural disasters, the Cardboard Cathedral (formerly called Christchurch's Transitional Cathedral), was erected in less than a year. Its excellent acoustics are also regularly utilized for concerts and events."

"At the far south end of the country, Stewart Island is a rugged and isolated addendum to New Zealand's two main islands, and it's a superb place to get a glimpse of the country's national bird, the kiwi, in the wild. Sunset trips with Bravo Adventure Cruises depart from Oban's rustic, fishing-boat-filled harbor, beginning with a 30-minute ocean journey and then continuing with a 45-minute stroll through native forest to a secluded beach. By now, it is dark, and southern brown kiwis can be seen scratching around for food in the kelp that washes up on the beach. Kiwis don't have great eyesight, and they often seem quite oblivious to the interested humans sharing the stretch of sand with them."

"New Zealand has no shortage of physically challenging bicycle rides through spectacular and remote backcountry, but the Tasman District's Great Taste Trail is designed for travelers seeking a more leisurely immersion in the flavors of this area. The entire trail runs through largely gentle terrain for 108 milesfrom Nelson to Kaiteriteri, and boasts plenty of accommodations along the way; it's an extremely pleasant way to sample wine, food, craft beer, and art. Highlights include the brewsat Hop Federation in Riwaka—a region renowned for growing NZ's excellent hops—and wines at Seifried Estate, the South Island's oldest winery. See the Heart of Biking website ( www.heartofbiking.org.nz ) for details about discrete sections of the trail that can easily be achieved in a morning or afternoon."

"Around one hour by car north of Wellington, Kapiti Island has been a protected wildlife reserve since 1897. Measuring less than eightsquare miles,the island can only be visited with a licensed tour operator; Kapiti Island Nature Tours is run by a local Maori family with historic links to the island, and their trips incorporate glimpses of birds, including the stout kereru (wood pigeon), and the endangered and flightless takahe. Marine life here includes a seal colony. Kapiti Island Nature Tours also offers overnight stays with the opportunity to witness the nocturnal activities of New Zealand's shy national bird, the kiwi."

"The far-eastern tip of New Zealand's North Island, and one of the first places in the world to see the light of a new day, East Cape is a rugged and isolated location that's off the radar for most visitors to the country. It's remote, but getting there is a journey well worth taking, with New Zealand's Pacific Coast Highway snaking through traditional Maori lands and around bays and coves to the sleepy village of Te Araroa. From there, it's 30 minutes further east on winding, unsealed roads toward the opportunity to climb some 700 steps up to the windswept and solitary East Cape Lighthouse."

"Traditional Maori culture and geothermal activity combine at the fascinating lakeside village of Ohinemutu in Rotorua. Steam rises from volcanic vents in the ground (local Maori families still use the earth's energy in this way for cooking and heating); the sacred Tama-Te-Kapua meetinghouse is adorned with intricate wood carvings. Nearby, St. Faith's Anglican Church melds both Maori and European design elements with woven tukutuku (a latticework ofnatural materials) panels, Maori carvings, and colorful stained-glass windows illuminating the compact interior with Southern Hemisphere sunshine. One spectacular window shows Christ wearing a traditional Maori cloak and appearing to walk on the waters of Lake Rotorua. When visiting, be quiet and respectful of local families, as Ohinemutu is private land."

"The All Blacks—New Zealand's beloved national rugby team—are an integral part of the country's psyche, and the only side to have been crowned World Champions three times. Even if you're not a huge fan of the fast, open-running sport that's been dubbed "the game they play in heaven," this excellent museum in the provincial city of Palmerston North is still worth a visit. The stories of top players are insightful and interesting; there are interactive opportunities to try out rugby skills like scrums, line-outs, kicking, and passing; and you can square up with a life-size photograph of legendary All Blacks as they perform the haka, the traditional Maori challenge dance they begin every game with."

"Welcome to Middle Earth in the South Pacific, and an ideal stop for traveling fans of the author J.R.R. Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies. Near the rural town of Matamata—itself a destination for its LOTR -inspired visitor center and a selfie-ready statue of Gollum along the main street—the re-created sets of Hobbiton offer a detailed and fascinating glimpse of the hobbit holes, meadows, and gardens of Bilbo and Frodo. An essential conclusion to the tour is quaffing an only-available-in-Hobbiton Oatbarton Ale at the leafy lakeside Green Dragon Inn."

"Opened in 2016, New Zealand's Museum of Waitangi offers innovative and interactive exhibits showcasing the Treaty of Waitangi, signed in 1840 between more than 500 Maori tribal chiefs and the British Crown representing the country's colonial settlers. The Treaty is still regarded as an essential, living document under New Zealand law, and the museum explains how the important agreement has influenced, and continues to influence, Kiwi society. After visiting the museum, explore the beautiful oceanfront Treaty Grounds, take in a Maori cultural performance including song and dance, and discover Maori taonga (treasures) including a wonderfully carved meetinghouse built in 1940 to mark the Treaty's centenary."

"Part of the spectacular wind- and ocean-eroded shoreline of the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve, Cathedral Cove, on New Zealand's Coromandel Peninsula, is reached via an undulating coastal track that takes around 40 minutes to hike. To avoid the inevitable crowds, it's best to visit the massive stone arch early in the morning or late in the afternoon, and the natural shower of the arch's waterfall is a refreshing option after the walk. The stunning beach is also popular for swimming, and en route there's good snorkeling at Gemstone Bay and Stingray Bay. To arrive at the cove by sea (a short hop from the nearby resort town of Hahei), contact Cathedral Cove Water Taxi."

"As the country where bungee jumping and jet boating were both invented, New Zealand has a proud heritage as a destination for travelers seeking action-and-adventure thrills. On Waiheke Island, a short 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland , it's possible to ride an exciting three-stage zip line over vineyards and native forest. All the while, the dramatic, soaring profile of the city's Sky Tower is visible across the Hauraki Gulf—and guess what: It's also possible to walk around the tower's narrow halo at a height of more than 600 feet, and then leap off in a tether-controlled jump. Welcome to New Zealand!"

"The Lighthouse With a prime waterfront position on the edge of Auckland's inner harbor, The Lighthouse is one of New Zealand's newest and most interesting public art projects. Erected in 2017 as a replica New Zealand 'state house,' a popular form of social housing constructed around the nation in the 1940s and 1950s, The Lighthouse was designed by renowned Maori conceptual artist Michael Parekowhai. The outside of the largely prosaic exterior is enlivened by Maori-influenced tukutuku panels, usually seen inside wharenui , the traditional communal meeting houses of New Zealand's indigenous people. The Lighthouse 's interior is adorned with a giant stainless-steel representation of 18th-century British maritime explorer, Captain James Cook. Also inside is a filigree of lights representing the celestial waymarkers both Polynesian and European explorers used to navigate the vast South Pacific. Together with the work's location on Auckland's busy harbor, the net impact of The Lighthouse 's design is a commentary on the impact of discovery and colonialism on New Zealand sovereignty and society. The most spectacular ways to consider the project's impact is from the water, after dark."

"First developed when the cityhosted the Rugby World Cup in 2011, the harborside Wynyard Quarter has quickly become a favorite destination for Aucklanders. Restaurants, cafés, and bars are especially popular on weekends—standouts include Baduzzi for Italian food and Jack Tar for pizza and cold beer with ocean views—and over the summer, Wynyard's Silo Park area is used for food-truck events ( www.foodspace.co.nz ), craft markets, and outdoor movies. DJs and Auckland bands occasionally play sets to laid-back locals in the shadow of giant grain silos adorned with colorful street art; for traveling families, there's an exciting playground where the kids can burn off excess energy."

"In a country featuring some of the world's more popular multiday hikes, the Pouakai Crossing around the iconic volcanic cone of New Zealand's Mount Taranaki is a more convenient one-day adventure. The Taranaki region's Egmont National Park does offer the longer two- to three-day Pouakai Circuit, but for a growing number of savvy local and international visitors, the more concise 12-mile (19-kilometer) Pouakai Crossing is a preferred option. The track takes around seven to nine hours, negotiating the more spectacular lower northern slopes of Mount Taranaki, and traversing varying landscapes from temperate rainforest to subalpine bush, and including waterfalls and remote mountain lakes. Local shuttle companies can arrange transport to and from trailheads, and the best time to tackle the Crossing is during spring and summer in the southern hemisphere (around October to April)."

"Opened in 2017 as a new addition to New Zealand's National Library, the He Tohu (The Signs) exhibition showcases three of the country's most important historical documents. Each of the three deeds continue to inform contemporary New Zealand society, and they also have relevance beyond the shores of the southern hemisphere nation. Signed in 1835, the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of NZ proclaimed the sovereign independence of New Zealand on behalf of the country's indigenous Maori tribes, a charter which subsequently led to the Treaty of Waitangi between Māori and the British Crown in 1840. Also part of the He Tohu exhibition, the Treaty of Waitangi continues to be New Zealand's most important legal document, and still underpins current laws and government legislation. The final constituent of He Tohu is 1893's Women's Suffrage Petition, a groundbreaking document which saw the youthful nation become the first country in the world to grant universal voting rights to women. Interesting multimedia displays provide context on the significance of He Tohu's three documents to modern New Zealand."

"A thrilling tribute to world-renowned New Zealand kinetic artist Len Lye (1901–1980), New Plymouth's Len Lye Centre is an integral part of the excellent Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. From the outside, the center's stunning architecture of shimmering mirrored curtains reflects nearby heritage buildings, and the fascinating interior is a labyrinth of ramps and walkways showcasing Lye's interesting kinetic constructions and innovative short films. Don't leave New Plymouth without also checking out his Wind Wand sculpture, a towering work on the city's often windswept oceanfront esplanade that's pushed and pulled by bold maritime breezes coming from the Tasman Sea."

"Walk a Regional Park Close to Auckland City are numerous tracks, parks and reserves that you can explore at your own pace, all the while marvelling at the lushness of the greenery, the beauty of isolated bays and the bird song of the forest. Tawharanui is one of Auckland's premium regional parks, with white sandy beaches, coastal forest, wetlands and farmed pastures. Don't forget to close the gate so the sheep don't get out!"