Useful Information about New Zealand
With the potential for some of the most iconic road trips, the darkest skies and some of the planet’s tallest trees, New Zealand is home to many perfect dreamy landscapes. In fact, land and place are central to the Māori people’s identity and as a consequence, nature and the environment has settled at the heart of Kiwi society. But with such natural beauty this is not altogether too surprising: soaring mountainscapes, mysterious lakes and rivers, dramatic volcanic plateaus, fjords, ancient forests, glaciers, miles of farmland and even more miles of glorious coastline with sandy beaches.
To read more about the climate, geography, culture, history and biodiversity of New Zealand, please click here.
About the Northland region
The project is located in the Northland region of New Zealand, amongst the Native Kauri forests. Northland’s many nature reserves shelter the most spectacular remnants of the ancient kauri forests that once blanketed the top of the country. The remaining giant trees are an awe-inspiring sight and one of the nation’s treasures.
It’s not just natural attractions that are on offer: history hangs heavily here as well. The country was colonised from the top down by successive migrations from Polynesia and a strong Maori presence remains to this day, adding an extra dimension to any visit. The Bay of Islands was also the site of the first permanent European settlement, as well as the signing of the Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand by local chiefs in 1835 and the Treaty of Waitangi five years later. Northland is unquestionably the birthplace of the nation.
Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/new-zealand/northland-and-the-bay-of-islands