New Zealand - More Than "lord of the Rings" and Sheep

New Zealand - a country with superb landscapes and beautiful vistas - is commonly used by movie production companies as a location to film their  next biggest hit. The Academy Award trilogy blockbuster, The Lord of the Rings, was filmed entirely at many various locations throughout the country. The director, New Zealander Peter Jackson who won the Oscar as the best-director for the third instalment, stated that there was no other country on earth which could provide the scenery that would do justice in transforming the J. R. Tolkien's epic novel from book-form to the big screen. New Zealand company, Weta Workshop, also won several Oscars in the special-effects category for their innovative works on the movies.

With a population that has only recently exceeded four million, New Zealand has been the butt of jokes primarily from it's nearest neighbour Australia because there are approximately 60 million sheep. Throughout it's history, New Zealand's economy has been based on farming, agriculture and timber industries. In more recent times, while these industries continue to remain an important contributor to the economy, New Zealand's innovative and creative psyche and culture has created many other industries that are actively making a significant input to the economy. It is a small modern country which more than holds it's position against much larger and more populous countries in terms of lifestyle, living conditions, environmental sustainability and human rights for all it's peoples.

As a proud and very patriotic New Zealander, I accept that my views and opinions will be seen by many as biased and one-eyed - I absolutely make no apologies for this. I have travelled abroad to many countries such as USA, UK, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and Iran. It is my firm belief that we must all get out of our comfort zone by visiting other countries to experience other cultures. It is then that we will have a full appreciation of what we have and take for granted in our own homeland. That said, I urge all readers of this article to seriously consider New Zealand as a viable option to visit, as a tourist or simply to relax and recharge. Due to it's isolated position deep in the Pacific Ocean, it is a long distance to travel for many, e.g. appproximately 24 hours flight time from the UK depending on travel routes and stopovers. If the reader contemplating visiting New Zealand is a member of an air-miles scheme, the points you acquire will be huge.

I recommend to all readers to check out an amazing report that provides comprehensive information on many factors to consider when visiting New Zealand. You will find information on:

• Visa requirements,


• Driving in New Zealand,


• New Zealand culture,
  
• New Zealand lifestyle and


• A wealth of information on living, working or investing in New Zealand.
  

Thanks and my appreciation to all readers of this article. Should you require further information on any matters contained in this article, please contact me at: caymanz@yahoo.co.nz and I will happily and gladly reply.