Things to do in New Zealand: The Great Outdoors
New Zealand recreation is generally aimed at the great outdoors! The obvious beach activities include swimming, snorkelling and year round activities such as wind surfing and sailing.
Sport, fitness and leisure have played a key part in creating and shaping New Zealand 's national image, both at home and abroad, and contribute much to the lifestyle New Zealanders enjoy. Everyone has the chance to take part in some form of sport or leisure activity and it is government policy to promote access to it for all New Zealanders.
An extensive and varied park system which includes national, forest and maritime parks, historic and scenic reserves, walkways and many local parks and reserves, showcases the environment and provides a full spectrum of recreational opportunity.
Top sports for people over the age of 15 years are swimming/ diving, cycling, snooker/pool, tennis and aerobics. In the recreational physical activity section walking comes out tops followed by running/jogging, cycling and fitness classes. In terms of favourite leisure activities reading is the most popular followed by watching television and videos, visiting friends, listening to music and gardening.
There is a large following for big game fishing, lake and river fishing. Shooting and hunting is very popular, the principal game birds being duck, swan, pheasant, quail, geese and chukor. The season is, however, limited to six to eight weeks starting on the first weekend of May.
Skiing, mountaineering, tramping and walking offer an immense variety of venues to people in all age groups.
Golfing and bowls (indoor and outdoor) are also very popular, with a huge selection of clubs throughout New Zealand.
For the more daring, there is white water rafting, abseiling, mountain climbing, parachuting, gliding and bungy-jumping. You can find these and a lot more thrilling outdoor sports with up-to-date pricing on the Tourism New Zealand site www.purenz.com. Information can also be obtained from New Zealand Tourism Offices overseas.
