New Zealand is located in the south of the Pacific Ocean,
approximately 1,600 kilometres south-east of Australia. New Zealand comprises of
two main islands and several smaller islands with a combined land area of
270,534 km2.
New Zealand has spectacular landscapes incorporating the vast mountain chain
of the Southern Alps (larger than the French, Austrian and Swiss Alps combined),
the volcano region on the North Island with fiords, glaciers, lakes, rainforests
and extensive grassy plains.
There are two long thin islands that run north-south and there is a
noticeable difference in the climates of the top of the North Island, which is
sub-tropical, and the bottom of the South Island, which is temperate. New
Zealand has a very mild climate making it a suitable holiday destination all
year round.