Kiwi's help needed.

[Gimli71]

I'm from Poland and I plan to go to New Zealand at the end of this year, or at the beginning of 2007.
I'm very much interested in Maori culture (actually, I'm more like in love with it;) ), and I'd like to have some advice from a New Zealander.
Where should I really go, what is really worth seeing? Reading "Lonely Planet" is one thing, but words of truth from a Kiwi is something completely different.
Of course as a MP member I'd like to see some interesting military stuff, but I don't know if that's possible, especially for a foreign tourist...
Thank You kindly for any advice...

PS: hope I didn't offend anyone with Kiwi, but as far as I know it's not offensive, if it is, then of course I'm sorry :)

[Flagg]

For the military stuff:

Waiouru, home of the NZ Army, located in the middle of the North Island, in a god-forsaken nasty piece of land. You will notice the rain starting as you approach WMC ;)

The War Musuem is located directly on the State Highway running through it..I highly recommend it. It may not be as large as some of the better known military musuems, but it's quality is VERY impressive.

The NZ Army Marae(meeting place) for the Army Iwi(tribe) is also located in Waiouru. The gentleman that runs it is a really interesting fella.

I am unsure as to whether the Army Marae is open to the public or just members of the NZ Army family. If you are allowed a public tour it would kill two birds with one stone.

Closeby to Waiouru is Mt. Ruapehu, an active volcano that presents a great photo opportunity.

Within an hour or two of Waiouru is Lake Taupo....great place to visit for touristy stuff on the way too/from Waiouru.

North of Auckland is some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere, the environment is quite tropical-ish.

The rest of the North Island sucks(just kidding ;) )

For the Maori culture I would HIGHLY recommend the Tamaki Brothers Maori Village in Rotorua.

There's LOTS of Maori culture opportunities throughout the country,but their's is a bit different because it's run by two of the coolest and funniest fellas you may ever have the opportunity to meet(they're customers of mine). They are also looking to open one in Christchurch in the near future.

If you like pork......make sure you eat a Hangi

The South Island is the best(because that's where I live ;) ).

If you can, take the ferry across from Wellington to Picton...it's like a 4 hour mini-cruise. You end up in the Marlborough Sounds......quite a nice photo op.

At the top of the South Island you have Picton(where the ferry drops you) and nearby the large towns/small cities of Nelson and Blenheim(great young nighlife in both).

Heading down the east coast two hours south is Kaikoura.....great tourist beach town.....whalewatchng/fishing,etc.

Two hours farther south is Christhchurch.....a really nice garden city and jumping off point to Antarctica.

A couple hours further south inland is Lake Tekapo, almost halfway to Queenstown, one of the best adventure sports locations in the world.

Keep going a few hours south (depending on which way you go) and you reach either Milford Sound(most beautiful place in the world in my opinion) or the glaciers......either way.........its the bottom of the civilized world.

And before you leave the country you are required to purchase at least one New Zealand All Blacks Rugby article of clothing.

[Frequency]

thats a fairly comprehensive list really:)

all i can offer is if you're in palmerston north (about 150km north of wellington) and you're on the drink, head to a club called highflyers and tell the bouncers snake sent you and they'll hook you upp-)

[Gimli71]

Thank You kindly.

[RFSU]

In generall you should stick to the south island for most of your visit. Wanaka Is a great place, just near Queenstown but not as full of tourists. Tekapo is fu<king beautiful (love that little church).

There are so many out of the way locations that you would have to live there for years to even get a glimpse of its beauty.

Two thing you must pick up:
1) Some greenstone. weird feeling heavy ass stuff that I like to rub when stressed.
2) Pineapple marshmello covered in chocolate. Why oh why can't I find that stuff in Australia?!