New Zealand’s culinary presentations are regarded as among the best in the world with a diverse range of ingredients utilizing the ‘fresh is best’ policy which extends from seafood and prime beef and lamb, to fresh fruit and vegetables.
The overall ‘Pacific Rim’ influence that is peculiar to New Zealand takes its inspiration from regions and countries such as Europe, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Polynesia, Japan and Vietnam. This unique blend of influences has created a mouth-watering range of flavours and food available from cafes and restaurants nationwide.
For dishes that have a distinctly New Zealand style look out for lamb, pork and venison; salmon, crayfish, Bluff oysters, paua (abalone), mussels and scallops, kumara (sweet potato), kiwifruit and tamarillo, and pavlova, our national dessert, made from meringue and lashings of fresh whipped cream topped with fresh fruit or berries.
While the main centres support elegant, silver-service restaurants, the trend is towards more relaxed cafe-bar dining. There is a wide variety of international food available including Japanese, Indian, Turkish, Halal, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Malaysian and Thai. Cuisine Magazine reviews some of the best restaurants throughout New Zealand.
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While you are here, take the opportunity to discover more about New Zealand wines. Our white wines, particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, have achieved an international reputation for excellence - and the reds are catching-up fast! The wine trails are wonderful and are to be found in most parts of New Zealand, with emphasis being Gisborne , Hawkes Bay , Marlborough and Otago.
Shopping in New Zealand is equally diverse. From the biggest international brand names to ‘kiwi-made’ curiosities, we have it all. And with our dollar being comparatively weak, this is a great country to load up your suitcase in! New Zealand fashion designers, in particular, are enjoying a strong international reputation.
The choice of accommodation ranges from homely bed and breakfasts with friendly hosts through to internationally renowned lake or seaside lodges and everything in between.
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