When the big dream of a trip to New Zealand becomes a reality.

How it all began...

I have dreamed of traveling to New Zealand since I was a child and often planned how I would go there as an adult. I always watched all kinds of documents and was interested in the country's culture. It is said that when a person often visualizes dreams in detail, life will send this person various coincidences that could be an opportunity to work towards his dream goals. Then depends only on us whether we sense it and can seize these opportunities.

Coincidence or fateful meeting?

One such strange coincidence happened in my life in 2008. I was finishing my studies at school and wondering what to do next with my life. And it was precisely during this time that I had the opportunity to watch Maori live from Zealand for the first time during a performance at an international folklore festival. Their culture absorbed me, but my English was terrible at that time. I discovered that I couldn't have conversations, so I decided to study English despite my initial reluctance. Two years later, these Maori came to the festival again, albeit in a slightly different cast, and I was offered the opportunity to work directly with them. If I hadn't decided to improve my English earlier, I most likely wouldn't have made friends with the Maori, and I might never have gotten up the courage to fly several hours alone to faraway Zealand.

Flight to New Zealand

When you think of a trip to New Zealand, everyone immediately imagines sitting on a plane for several hours. Yes, the journey here takes around 22 hours or more at least one transfer is required, and one often encounters long waits at airports. Besides, in some countries, there is the option of a transit trip if you have to wait longer for a connecting flight. I used the one in Taiwan, which you can read about here: https://www.sharkainmotion.cz/l/transit-tour-to-taipei/ 

Or you can directly arrange a stopover if the wait is longer than 24 hours. If you're lucky, you can get tickets to New Zealand cheaply, and the advantage of holders of valid Czech Republic passports is that you don't need to apply for any tourist visas before departure (if you're going for a short period and don't plan to work here). In my case, it was that kind of stay.

Visas and other obligations

I was granted a tourist visa for three months upon arrival in Auckland. I just had to present the completed arrival card that the flight attendants gave to everybody on the plane. You will also be happy to advise on filling it out. Customs controls at the airport are strict, so it is necessary to fill in the Arrival card truthfully. In this case, you will not have problems with the officials. It's essential to find out what can't be brought into New Zealand before you travel. If you plan to bring outdoor gear and hiking boots, you can be sure that the airport staff will probably want to see if you have cleaned everything well. So it pays to have these things in the luggage straight at the top. Otherwise, you may have to unpack the entire luggage, which just happened to me. Another advantage of traveling to Zealand is that no special vaccinations are required, as is the case when traveling to Africa or Asia. It pays to have accommodation secured in advance because, for example, the cheaper form in the camp tends to be occupied relatively quickly thanks to people arriving on Working holiday visas. In my case, it was to visit my wonderful Maori friends, so accommodation was left off the list.

At home with Maori

From my experience, I can tell that Maori people are warm, friendly, and happy to help. In general, Zeeland has a peaceful atmosphere, which can be surprising for Europeans, who are used to the daily hustle and bustle. However, thanks to such openness for an ordinary tourist, it is not a problem to find friends here. And quite quickly. Additionally, many locals offer their homes to travelers, so you may find yourself offered or recommended while talking about your travels. Couchsurfing or renting for a small or large fee works the same here as everywhere else in the world. 

Tip: If you go here in winter, be prepared that warm clothes will come in handy even inside. Many houses lack insulation, and the locals often have very little heating. With my friends, it was completely normal to walk indoors in a winter jacket or two sweaters, wear a hat and cover yourself with several blankets at night. 😀

Maori and food

To my surprise, immediately after arriving in the city of Rotorua, where I spent most of my time, I was shocked by the hospitality of the locals. And not just from my friends. Otherwise, to be clear, Maori people like to eat a lot (and a lot). So the rich English breakfasts, which I wasn't used to, surprised me a little. I always felt that there was more than enough on the table.

BBQ is also very popular in Zealand. And there is no need to go to the beach or the park to grill something, where freely accessible grills are available. They are used not only by those who come here for seasonal work but also by locals.

However, everyone who flies to Zealand wants to try the traditional Hangi, food prepared in the country on hot stones. This dish is "cooked" on festive occasions, but in the city of Rotorua, where there is a lot of geothermal activity, you can get this dish as part of a performance aimed directly at tourists.

Maori culture

You can get to know the Maori culture more closely, for example, in the village of Mitai or Whakarewarewa, where, in addition to tasting the Hangi, you will also experience an authentic performance associated with songs and dance. The program also includes the Haka. This war dance is best known for the All Blacks rugby team. However, you can also see Haka at birthday parties, and it is also part of weddings or other important celebrations.

The Maori are very proud of their customs and traditions and constantly try to keep them alive. For example, I often encountered a traditional Maori greeting called Hongi, when two people touch by their noses and foreheads. Although the Maori were once forced to adapt to other customs due to New Zealand becoming a British colony, Maori culture has again come to the fore in the last few years. Locals like to mix Maori with English, Maori is taught in some schools, and there is even Maori TV. Singing traditional songs while drinking beer with friends is also no exception. (But more about that sometime next time...😀). You can also occasionally spot someone with a traditional, previously ritual Ta Moko tattoo on the street. On important occasions, Maori gather at sacred, richly decorated buildings called Marae, where they celebrate, sing, or discuss together. The art of traditional carving, weaving, and sculpture is still maintained here. 

Places not to be missed in the North Island

Auckland is the first place to visit when travelling around New Zealand. The landmark of the city, the Sky Tower, is worth a visit here. In addition to the beautiful panoramic view, there is also the option to try bungee jumping. But watch out for pickpockets in Auckland. The Hobbiton is not to be missed on the northern island. It is said that whoever was in New Zealand but didn't go to visit the place where the Lord of the Rings was filmed, as if he was not there. For lovers of beautiful views of the ocean, I recommend visiting the city of Tauranga, where, among other things, you can go to the extinct volcano Mount Maunganui or try surfing or paddleboarding. However, you have to watch out for strong currents. However, the biggest attraction remains the city of Rotorua (more about the city in the article here: https://www.sharkainmotion.cz/l/en-what-tourist-attractions-to-visit-in-rotorua/). Here you will experience the right Maori culture.

And what to say in conclusion?

There are so many places to see in New Zealand, so travelling on a tourist visa makes you realize that you can't see everything. Adrenaline sports, unspoilt nature, inviting to go for walks or meet kind people who won't care about your level of English or what you're wearing. And also count on the fact that the locals will call you by name right after the first meeting. In addition to friendly natives, I also met many compatriots in Zealand who moved here permanently or came to gather life experience with Working holiday visas. A Czech and Slovak community operates in Tauranga, which organizes many sports and social activities. So if a person goes to Zealand alone, he can count on the fact that he will get help in the case of an emergency. Either from the locals or from our compatriots. Czechs and Slovaks stick together here. And thanks to all that, many people will return here at least once per life or even decide to settle here. Life is just more relaxed here.

Note: If you liked the article, I would be happy to comment or share it. More articles about New Zealand will follow soon. 😉