New Zealand

New Zealand's 29 regions stretch more than 1,600 kilometres across two main islands. Each destination is distinctive in character, and with the country being so compact. Since the early 1800's, it has been called "God's own country" and the "Paradise of the Pacific".

New Zealand consists of two islands, simply named North Island and South Island, there are also several small islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It is the 5th largest wholly island nation on earth, with a population of approx. 4.5 million, lying some 1600 km south east of Australia.

YES, this is a CYCLING PARADISE... blessed with some of the best biking countryside in the world... from simple rides for the kids, serious road biking through gorgeous mountain roads, challenging mountain biking amidst thick forests, these islands offer more variety than any other destination with the same surface area.

Find Tours in New Zealand

"Whenever I get stress, I just want to hop on a plane to Queenstown"
_____________________
John Travolta

Major Attractions

5 PASSES TOUR
Weka Pass 303 m
Lewis Pass 915 m
Rahu Saddle 692 m
Arthurs Pass 920 m
Porters Pass 959 m

HIGHEST PAVED PASSES
Ohakune Mountain Road 1,620 m
Bruce Road - Whakapapa ski field 1,619 m
Crown Range Road 1,121 m
Desert Road 1,074 m
Gentle Annie 975m

MTB MAGIC TRAILS
Whaka Forest - The Redwoods
Craigieburn Forest
The Old Ghost Road
Great Lake Trails
Heaphy Track

Riding

Best time of year to ride is the warmer summer months of November to April on the South Island and October to May on the North Island.
The North Island can be humid from December to February, so hyration is key.
The South Island temperatures are more comfortable from December to February, dropping to zero overnight!
Like any mountainous region, be prepared with wind/waterproof jackets as well as items such as head and neck warmers in case mother nature turns on you.

Cycling Events

New Zealand Classic (Road UCI)
Gravel & Tar (Road/Off-Road UCI)
Crankwork Rotorua (Downhill UCI)

Lake Taupo Challenge (Road)
SBS Tour of Southland (Road)
Moa Rotorua-Taupo (Road)
Forrest Grape Ride (Road)

Pioneer MTB Stage Race (MTB)
Coppermine EPIC (MTB)
Karapoti Classic (MTB)
Ruapehu Express (MTB)
Triple Peaks Challenge (MTB)

Māori History

The Māori are the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. Māori originated with settlers from eastern Polynesia, who arrived in New Zealand in several waves of canoe voyages at some time between 1250 and 1300 CE. Over several centuries in isolation, the Polynesian settlers developed a unique culture, with their own language, a rich mythology, distinctive crafts and performing arts. Early Māori formed tribal groups, based on eastern Polynesian social customs and organisation. Horticulture flourished using plants they introduced, and later a prominent warrior culture emerged. (Source: Wikipedia)

Languages

Māori: an Eastern Polynesian language, te reo Māori is closely related to Tahitian and Cook Islands Māori. Post WWII, the Māori were discouraged from speaking their language at work and school, though this changed in the 70's where it was revitalised and gained massive support and eventually official status in 1987 where the Maori Language Act was developed and hence be used in legal situations.
English: this could be termed at the country's 'de-facto' official language being the primary spoken language by over 95% of the population.

Perfect Secluded MTB Trails

Lakes and Mountains meet

Immerse yourself in Māori Culture

"There's a real purity in New Zealand...
It's actually not an easy thing to find in our world any more"
_____________________
Elijah Wood
(American Actor - Lord of the Rings)