New guide gives Godzone a dose of personality
Media Release
00:01 Tuesday 12th September , 2006
New Lonely Planet guide gives Godzone a dose of personality
Lonely Planet’s new edition New Zealand guidebook, released today (Tuesday 12th September), says New Zealand’s most attractive feature is not only its “outlandishly beautiful scenery”, but its people.
According to Errol Hunt, the Commissioning Editor for the new guide, “the fascinating mix of Maori, Polynesian, and Pakeha culture, as well as the nation’s quirky eccentricity and genuine community vibe, is the recipe that makes New Zealand’s personality so attractive.”
As the guide says, “In recent years, New Zealand has been punching well above its weight and demanding to be noticed. Its movies, music, wine, progressive politics and clean green image have been kicking goals around the world, and people have been paying attention in ways the country never dreamed possible.” (p.4)
While New Zealand’s natural wonders rightly receive high praise throughout the guide, the book also notes that, “… a pretty backdrop is not all NZ has going for it. Genuine friendly locals go out of their way to ensure visitors feel welcome. There is a vibrant Maori culture too, for this is a country that recognises and respects its indigenous people.” (p.4)
The guidebook features an increased focus on Maori tourism, with regional Maori ‘highlights’ sections offering information on how travellers can respect and immerse themselves in Maori culture.
“New Zealand’s strong indigenous culture – both traditional and contemporary – is something very unique about this country. With this guide we’ve tried to show travellers how to seek out and experience the multi-faceted, ‘living’ culture of Maori New Zealand, rather than see it as ancient history,” said Errol Hunt.
Eccentric New Zealand is also fully embraced in the guidebook. Bizarre, tacky, or just downright strange tourist attractions include Stratford’s Shakespeare-spouting Glockenspiel (p. 270), the big L&P bottles in Paeroa (p. 226), Owlcatraz in Shannon, Palmerston North (p. 289), Ohakune’s Big Carrot (p. 322), and Auckland’s Sky Screamer: “Should you hurl, rest assured, you can get a video of it.” (p. 116) Charmingly eccentric personalities such as Napier’s Art Deco ambassador, the unfailingly debonair Bertie, also feature (p. 369).
“When they think of New Zealand, most potential visitors think: landscape, sport and the haka. But until they go there, they often don’t realise how incredibly quirky New Zealanders are, with a wicked sense of humour. At the same time, Kiwis are also increasing their reputation for being stylish and modern,” said Hunt.
“Hip, energetic city” Wellington gets a great rap for “its thriving café and entertainment scene, and serious dedication to the arts” (p.402). Auckland’s blend of the social, the natural, the cultural, and edible – along with great local fashion designers – personify the city’s cool (p. 140). While Christchurch is described as a “thoroughly modern NZ city” behind its picturesque Englishness (p. 527).
The new edition of the guidebook doesn’t pull any punches and contains the trademark honesty and opinion Lonely Planet is renowned for. But praise is also lavished when due. For example on “bright, attractive” Nelson as “one of NZ’s most liveable cities”, Queenstown’s “atmospheric restaurants, laid-back cafes and excellent boutiques” combined with “spellbinding views” (p. 622), and Dunedin, an “increasingly cosmopolitan city” (p. 589). Other destinations don’t fare so well, such as Kaitaia, “the highlight of no-one’s trip to NZ” (p. 177), and “shabby little Bluff” (p. 679).
For the latest edition of New Zealand, Lonely Planet’s team of five expert authors spent a total of 26 weeks on the road, or about 1,820 hours of research – a third more than the previous edition. During that time, the authors personally visited thousands of hotels, restaurants, cafes, bars, galleries and more. Lonely Planet authors are independent, and never take freebies in exchange for positive coverage.
The new guide also includes contributions from expert Kiwis such as author and television maker Professor James Belich on history, prolific journalist Russell Brown on culture, food writer Julie Biuso on food and drink, ex-All Black Josh Kronfeld on surfing, and dreadlocked Greens MP Nandor Tanczos on the environment. And Gandalf himself – Sir Ian McKellen – writes on the perils of sandflies.
-Ends-
WHAT LONELY PLANET SAYS ABOUT ...
AUCKLAND
“Behind historic shopfronts, Ponsonby
Rd’s many restaurants, bars and cafés are abuzz with
sociable chatter of caffeine fiends, fashion hints from the
city’s swishest sales assistants and the incessant tones
of mobile phones and text messaging.”
(p.114)
CHRISTCHURCH
“Christchurch is often described
as the most English of NZ’s cities … But for all its
self-consciously inherited charm, Christchurch is also a
thoroughly modern NZ city, as exemplified by the Kiwi art
that has pride of place in the city’s modern gallery, the
wildlife reserves teeming with native animals, and a
multitude of great cafés, restaurants and bars. (p.
527)
COROMANDEL REGION
“It’s a great,
quintessential getaway spot, with an old-fashioned holiday
feel and plenty of opportunities to get back to basics.
After all, some of the more remote communities in these
parts are still accessed by gravel roads, and an aura of
rugged individualism hangs like mist over this compact and
special region.” (p. 206)
DUNEDIN
“Dunedin is
becoming increasingly popular as a mellow city nurturing a
strong artsy side. If you can unglue yourself from the
city’s café scene, the raggedly shaped Otago Peninsula
lies practically in Dunedin’s backyard and is teeming with
wildlife and outdoor activities.” (p.590)
FIORDLAND &
SOUTHLAND
“Southland is the New Zealand many of us
dream of; expect to wear holes in your boots, go through
countless rolls of film and capture vistas in your memory
that will stay with you for a lifetime.” (p.
656)
GISBORNE
“With a dogged up-and-comer’s
approach, Gisborne has morphed itself from redneck backwater
into progressive, ebullient town with sassy restaurants,
classy motels, million-dollar Wainui Beach houses and an
apartment-lined harbour bobbing with expensive yachts.”
(p. 375)
HASTINGS
“Hastings is a utilitarian
agricultural town with tractors on the streets and little of
the chutzpah Napier manifests so readily. A random scene: a
shirtless young renegade drives his ember-red utility around
and around Hastings’ main block, The Doors’ Light My
Fire stuck on repeat, blaring from open windows, an unlit
cigarette dangling from his lip… The question is, will
Hastings light your fire?” (p. 394)
HAVELOCK
NORTH
“Five kilometres southeast of Hastings’ rural
toil, Havelock North is a different kettle of fish (or vat
of wine) altogether. Range Rovers and BMWs cruise the
streets as bleached-blonde 50-something wine wives sip
lattes in a prosperous village atmosphere. The towering
backdrop of Te Mata Peak keeps egos in check.” (p.
397)
INVERCARGILL
“Invercargill rarely scores high
marks with travellers, something that the city is working
hard to rectify. Boy racers in souped-up cars and girls with
souped-up hair-dos hint at the fact that there’s not much
to do around here. Nevertheless, … if you’re willing to
explore a little, there are a few gems in the way of
architecture, museums, parks and galleries that are worth
calling on. The city is a little rough around the edges but
it certainly won’t be swamped with other tourists.” (p.
674)
KAURI COAST
“Unless you’re a passionate fan of
the kumara (sweet potato), which is the dominant vegetable
of the rolling farmland, your main reason for coming here
will be to marvel at the magnificent kauri forests – one
of the great natural highlights of NZ.” (p.
168)
MARTINBOROUGH
“Martinborough, with its many
vineyards, is a prime ‘minibreak’ destination and the
center for tourism in the Wairarapa. At weekends, Gucci
replaces gumboots as gourmands dine in the excellent
restaurants, sniff the pinot, and lap up the luxurious
boutique accommodation.” (p. 434)
NAPIER
“A
dignified, sunny, composed city, there’s the air of an
affluent English seaside resort about the place. The focus
rests squarely on Napier’s urban virtues: its much-vaunted
Art Deco architecture is milked for every tourist dollar,
while good-looking middle-agers who’ve had too much sun
glide between cool cafés.” (p. 386)
NELSON
One of
NZ’s most liveable cities, Nelson is a bright, active
place ... It’s noted for its fruit-growing, wineries and
breweries and its energetic arts and crafts community.”
(p. 461)
OAMARU
“At first glance, it might not look
like there’s a lot going on in Oamaru. Tourists saunter,
locals languish and even the traffic seems mellow. But with
countless penguins, gorgeous public gardens, a historic
precinct and an excellent gallery – as well as some
slightly less conventional sights such as a rustic jazz bar,
upmarket cheese factory and penny-farthing races – this
slightly eccentric, wonderfully friendly town will keep you
engaged.” (p. 614)
OHUKUNE
“Ohakune leads a double
life as the North Island’s top ski destination and,
strangely, NZ’s Carrot Capital. Expect the orange
vegetable to creep into burgers and appear on pizzas,
especially during July’s annual Carrot Festival.”
(p.322)
OTOROHANGA
“Otorohanga (often called
‘Oto’ by locals) is a friendly, easy-going farming
community and the perfect example of the Kiwi icon that is
the one-street town … decorated with murals and displays
of other kiwiana, including the All-Blacks, sheep, Maori
carvings, gumboots, Anchor butter and pavlova.” (p.
247)
PALMERSTON NORTH
“Palmerston North, Manawatu’s
main city, is a town of two peoples: laid-back country
fast-foodies and caffeinated Massey University literati,
coexisting with none of Cambridge’s ‘Town versus Gown’
sabre-rattling. Easy-going and unaffected, ‘Palmy’
people walk around whistling and go barefoot on the
grass.” (p. 247)
QUEENSTOWN
“The size of a small
town but with the restlessness of a city, Queenstown has
mountains of things to do. … Keep in mind that Queenstown
is undeniably a big-budget resort town and draws more than a
million visitors each year.” (p. 622)
RAGLAN
“On
the coast, 48km west of Hamilton, is the small, delightful
community of Raglan …It’s the sort of charming place
that sees you inevitably shuffle your itinerary as you make
plans to extend your stay and the time spent in your
jandals.” (p. 238)
ROTORUA
“Maori culture is a
major drawcard in Rotorua and, although some find it heavily
commercialised, it’s a great opportunity to learn more
about Aotearoa’s (Land of the Long White Cloud) original
culture.” (p. 332)
RUSSELL
“In its early days
Russell was a magnet for rough elements such as fleeing
convicts, whalers, prostitutes and drunk sailors. Charles
Darwin described it in 1835 as full of ‘the refuse of
society’ and it also picked up the chirpy nickname
‘hellhole of the Pacific’. Sadly, all good things must
come to an end, and the town is now a bastion of cafés,
gift shops and B&Bs.” (p. 194)
TAKAKA
One of the most
relaxed towns in NZ, Takaka is the centre for the Golden Bay
area and the last town of any size as you head towards the
northwestern corner of the South Island. It’s a bustling
place in summer, with a local community of ‘Woodstock
children’ and artistic types. (p.
483)
TARANAKI
“… people in the ‘naki (as locals
call it) are proudly independent, with healthy dairy
industries and off-shore mining creating enough prosperity
for their own locally funded bank.” (p.
257)
TAURANGA
“With a real-estate boom since the
1990s, Tauranga is one of NZ’s fastest-growing cities. …
with a swell in holiday-home buyers the workhorse has become
a show pony.” (p. 348)
THE WEST COAST
“Solitude is
easy to find here. Turn off the highway and you’re alone
beneath a rainforest canopy or standing on a tumultuous
shore – your face reflected in a mirror lake – or your
feet kicking through the rusted waste of century-old mining
abandon. This is a place where people aren’t particularly
important; where dreams aren’t easily realised.” (p.
489)
WANGANUI
“With rafts of casual Huck Finn
sensibility, Wanganui is a come-as-you-are, raggedy historic
town … Old port buildings are being restored and the town
centre rejuvenated.” (p. 277)
WELLINGTON
“If, until
now, your travels in NZ have been about small towns and the
great outdoors, stop in Welly to dose up on big-city treats
like art-house cinemas, designer clothes stores,
sophisticated wine bars and late-night cafés.” (p.
402)
WHANGAMOMONA
“A stop at Whangamomona is
compulsory, mostly because of the border guard. This quirky
village became an independent republic after disagreements
with local councils. (p. 271)
New Zealand is one of Lonely Planet’s highest-selling guidebooks globally. Now in its lucky 13th edition, Lonely Planet has been publishing this definitive guide to Godzone for 29 years.
ENDS