Why New Zealand should be on your travel wish list for 2022

In wintertime, the reappearance of the Matariki constellation in the night time sky heralds the beginning of the Māori New Calendar year, a period of reflection and revelry that will be officially recognised as a public holiday getaway for the very first time this 12 months. From 21 June to 16 July, the overall nation will come alive with communal feasts showcasing Indigenous cuisine, as well as art exhibitions, evening markets and buzzing street parties. Rejoice between the country’s oldest Māori settlements in the Bay of Islands, combine stargazing with feasting at Mount Cook dinner, or be dazzled by the yearly mild demonstrate in Christchurch.

Completely vaccinated travellers from the Uk and Europe no for a longer period need to have to isolate on arrival. A negative pre-departure take a look at — PCR, LAMP or Immediate Antigen Check (RAT) — is necessary, as perfectly as a adverse RAT on arrival and on working day 5 or six. For far more vacation steering visit the government’s vacation assistance site. 

Adhere to in the footsteps of Kupe

It’s been virtually 1,000 several years due to the fact Polynesian explorer Kupe to start with pulled up his wood boat on the forested shores of Hokianga, an area north of Auckland. His arrival marked the commencing of a long ancestral journey that would inevitably see his bloodline settle on these recently uncovered lands. Kupe’s epic journey has now been vividly brought to life by his descendants at Manea Footprints of Kupe. The new immersive and multi-sensory storytelling expertise weaves jointly artwork, artifacts, movie and live dance from the backdrop of Hokianga’s stunning harbour. Tickets from NZ$65 (£34).

Embrace modern Māori art 

With its curved edges, mismatched windows and golden dome, the Hundertwasser Art Centre feels like a collaboration among Antoni Gaudí and Tim Burton. The new museum in Whangārei is committed to the function of late architect and artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, but within you’ll also discover the Wairau Māori Art Gallery — the country’s very first exhibition space committed to modern day Māori art. The gallery will host three exhibitions a yr, curated by top Māori curators, with artworks reflecting each the Europe-derived and Maori cultures of New Zealand. Admission from NZ$21 (£11).

Uncover geysers by evening

The North Island’s Rotorua is a hotbed of geothermic activity — it is belching fumaroles and roiling mud swimming pools owning encouraged several Māori legends. It’s also household to one of the premier geysers in the Southern Hemisphere, the explosive Pōhutu. For the first time, Te Puia park invitations guests to take a look at the geyser and take a look at the volcanic landscape by night join a Māori guideline to find out the stories guiding the geothermic wonderland, and preserve an eye out for nocturnal kiwis hiding in the bush. Scheduling necessary. Tours from NZ$50 (£26)

Greet the working day from Maunga Hikurangi

Hail the early morning sunshine from sacred Maunga (‘mount’) Hikurangi, a single of the country’s northernmost peaks and just one of the initially destinations in the world to witness the get started of every new working day. Jump in a four-wheel-travel vehicle with a manual from the community Ngāti Porou tribe and drive to the summit, exactly where nine carved pillars depict the legendary deeds of Māui, the deity considered to have fished New Zealand from the sea with a huge hook. As the sun rises, acquire component in a standard dawn karakia (Māori blessing), get pleasure from a light-weight breakfast and plant seedlings as aspect of a indigenous tree regeneration programme. Excursions from NZ$260 (£135).