Welcome
to North Shore City, New Zealand
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New
Zealand, or Aotearoa as it is known to the native Maori
people is truly the "Land of the Long White Cloud".
A place of immense natural beauty with its glacial mountains,
fast-flowing rivers, deep, clear lakes, native forests,
long, deserted beaches and a variety of flora and fauna,
such as the Kiwi, the national bird of New Zealand.
New
Zealand is a series of islands stretching 1600km (994 miles)
long, located in the roaring wild South Pacific Ocean, southeast
of Australia. The three main islands are the North Island,the
South Island (the largest in size), with Stewart Island,
lying directly beneath the South Island. The North Island
has a number of large volcanoes (including the recently
active Mount Ruapehu) and highly active thermal areas, while
the South Island boasts the Southern Alps - a spine of magnificent
mountains running almost its entire length. Another notable
feature of New Zealand is its myriad rivers and lakes which
carve their path through the wild terrain.
For
more general information please visit www.newzealand.com
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FACTS:
- Population:
4.2 million (2007)
- Land
mass: 268,860 km2
- Population
Density: 15/km2
- Sheep
to people ratio: 12:1 - for every person in NZ there are
12 sheep! This is the highest number of sheep per capita
in the world.
ESSENTIAL
TRAVEL INFORMATION:
- Currency:
New Zealand Dollar (NZD) (1 dollar = 100 cents).
Current
Exchange Rates
- Credit
Cards: All major credit cards are accepted throughout
New Zealand. The most popular ones being VISA and MasterCard.
Look for the signs displayed at the entrance to the store
or near the pay point.
- Traveller's
Cheques: Should be exchanged for cash (NZ dollars) at
any Bureau de Change or Bank.
- Banks:
Opening hours are generally 9:30 AM until 4:00 PM Monday
to Friday.
- ATM:
ATM Machines are widely available.
- GST:
Goods and Services Tax (12.5%) is mandatory and payable
on most goods and services, and should be included with
the marked price on items for sale.
Visitors from abroad spending more than $100 in one shop
in a single transaction may request a GST form to reclaim
some of this tax.
- Tipping:
Is not normal in New Zealand but a small tip is often
made when excellent service is provided.
- Electrical
Voltage: 240V 50Hz AC. Plug adapters for most appliances
including hairdryers, shavers, computers can be purchased
in any electrical shop or airport store.
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Morning Walk
on Takapuna Beach
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Takapuna
and Surrounding Area Information
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- Shop
in the boutique stores of Takapuna, Hurstmere Road or
at Takapuna Westfield Shopping Mall.
- Major
supermarket only 5 minutes walk from your hotel.
- By
the Bruce Mason Theatre there are a great variety of excellent
restaurants and pubs for social good times.
- Takapuna
Beach is a favourite walk. There is also a super walk
from Takapuna Beach to Milford Beach along the waterfront.
Walk
information.
- Takapuna
Aquatic Centre. Along with heated swimming pools, there
is also a sauna, therapy pool, gym and creche. Open daily.
Address: Killarney Street, Takapuna, North Shore City, New Zealand.
- Walk
to Lake Pupuke with lovely views only 10 minutes walk
from your hotel.
- Destination
Devonport (10 mins by car) and Fort Takapuna Historic
Reserve, Maori Pa mountains, ferries regularly from Devonport, North Shore City to Auckland
City downtown.
- Destination
Auckland City (15 mins by car) and regular bus services
from Takapuna, North Shore City, to central Auckland City.
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