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Horseback riding vacations in
New Zealand
New Zealand – Land of the Long White Cloud – is a unique land of breathtaking scenery. Nestled at the bottom of the world, this diverse country is sub-tropical in the north and sub-arctic in the south. Craggy coastlines, sweeping golden beaches, verdant rainforest, snow-capped alpine mountains, gurgling volcanic pools, fuming active volcanoes, flashing fish-filled rivers and glacier-fed lakes compete for your attention, all beneath a most brilliant blue sky. Pair this with a thriving indigenous culture, bustling cosmopolitan cities, traditional towns and friendly people with a distinct lust for life and you have an outstanding and unusual combination. Our horse riding holidays are a glimpse into the wild, untamed New Zealand, and offer a authentic taste of this unique country.
Horse Riding in New Zealand
Horse riding in New Zealand is a major pastime. It was not that long ago that New Zealand’s colonial forebearers opened the country up for mass settlement from the back of imported British horses. Pony Club and english-style hunts thrive in small towns all over the country, and many large sheep farms (“stations”) still muster their stock on horses. Horse trekking is also a popular activity and one of the best ways to experience New Zealand’s diverse and breathtaking scenery. We offer horseback vacations and horse riding holidays in both the North and South Island of NZ.
Our Warrior Trail horseback tours both offer a glimpse of the beautiful northern region of the North Island. This stunning area is a popular tourist destination, with excellent weather, stunning native forests and hundreds of kilometers of undisturbed coastline. On our horse riding holidays you can gallop along sandy beaches, relax under the shade of a vibrant red Pohutukawa glade, or horse ride along trails once used by local Maori. Combine the adventure of horse trail riding with unparalleled scenery, old fashioned Kiwi hospitality and mysterious Maori tradition!
New Zealand Geography and Landscape
New Zealand (Aotearoa) is home to unending geographical wonders, including flora and fauna not found anywhere else is the world. The small country offers a varied landscape, and easily within one day on horseback one encounters long sandy beaches, snow-capped volcanoes, rolling mountain ranges, natural hot springs and picturesque fields, complete with herds of grazing sheep. The geographical isolation of New Zealand has allowed many ancient plants and animals to survive and evolve in ways unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Getting around is easy as the country has a modern and efficient transport network, quiet roads, plenty of flights and two stunningly scenic rail journeys. The plant and animal life are also excellent, offering opportunities to see varied birdlife (including kiwis!), seals, dolphins and whales.
The country is perfect for every kind of outdoor activity. Not surprisingly, some of the world's most cutting-edge adventure activities originated in New Zealand, including some of the best horse riding holidays and horseback tours in Oceania.
New Zealand has a world-class tourist infrastructure, and is proud of its clean and green reputation. You will find that tourists are warmly welcomed almost everywhere, with the tourism industry one of the country’s economic back bones. Tourist numbers rocketed around the release of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which showcased New Zealand's fantastic scenery to a worldwide audience.
New Zealand Weather and Climate
The North Island enjoys a sub-tropical climate. In the winter you can even expect highs of around 16 degrees Celsius. The summer is pleasant, with highs around 25 degrees Celsius.
The further south you travel, the colder temperatures become – with Queenstown (on the South Island) experiencing cold winter weather, and hot dry summers.
Explore more Oceania Horse Riding Vacations
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Holidays on horseback in New Zealand
See Mini Country Guide
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Below is a list of our trips in this area with video clips.
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New Zealand
Travel restrictions
As of July 31st 2022, New Zealand's borders are now fully open to visitors from anywhere in the world.
People entering New Zealand will be given free RATs. We encourage you to test on the day you arrive and on day 5 or 6. Please report any positive RAT results.
Starting on September 13th 2022, travelers do not need proof of COVID-19 vaccination to enter New Zealand. Please check with your airline as they may still require proof of vaccination.
From October 20th 2022, you no longer need to complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) to enter the country.
Measures taken by government
New Zealand’s COVID-19 Protection Framework (traffic lights) has ended. With case numbers low, most COVID-19 rules were removed on September 13th 2022.
From September 13th 2022 you must still isolate for 7 days if you have COVID-19 and wear a face mask in certain healthcare facilities, such as hospitals.
All government vaccine mandates ended on September 26th 2022.
Testing
PCR and/or antigen tests are available for travelers in New Zealand and test results are reliably available within 72 hours.
More detailed information can be found at the Ministry of Health website: https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-information-specific-audiences/covid-19-advice-travellers#pre-depart
Emergency number (related to COVID-19) while visiting the country
For COVID-19 health advice and information, contact the Healthline team (for free) on 0800 358 5453 or +64 9 358 5453 for international SIMS.
Source:
Unite against COVID-19: Travel to New Zealand https://covid19.govt.nz/international-travel/travel-to-new-zealand/
Published on January 4th 2023 (checked on April 5th 2023)
For more information please visit our COVID-19 Updates page at https://www.hiddentrails.com/article/covid19update.aspx
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New Zealand
At A glance
Capital City: Wellington
Land size: 264,537 sq km
Population: 5,053,004 (2022 est.)
Official languages: English, Maori & New Zealand Sign Language
Currency: New Zealand Dollar ($ / NZD)
UNESCO properties and sites:
- New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands
- Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand
- Tongariro National Park
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/new-zealand/
Brief History
Polynesian settlers may have arrived in New Zealand in the late 1200s, with widespread settlement in the mid-1300s. They called the land Aotearoa, which legend holds is the name of the canoe that Kupe, the first Polynesian in New Zealand, used to sail to the country; the name Aotearoa is now in widespread use as the local Maori name for the country.
Competition for land and resources led to intermittent fighting between different Maori iwi (tribes) by the 1500s as large game became extinct.
Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN was the first European to see the islands in 1642 but after an encounter with local Maori, he sailed away. British captain James COOK was the next European to arrive in New Zealand in 1769, followed by whalers, sealers, and traders. The UK only nominally claimed New Zealand and included it as part of New South Wales in Australia. Concerns about increasing lawlessness led the UK to appoint its first British Resident in New Zealand in 1832, although he had few legal powers.
In 1835, some Maori iwi from the North Island declared independence as the United Tribes of New Zealand. Fearing an impending French settlement and takeover, they asked the British for protection. In 1840, the British negotiated their protection in the Treaty of Waitangi, which was eventually signed by more than 500 different Maori chiefs, although many chiefs did not or were not asked to sign. In the English-language version of the treaty, the British thought the Maori ceded their land to the UK, but translations of the treaty appeared to give the British less authority, and land tenure issues stemming from the treaty are still present and being actively negotiated in New Zealand.
The UK declared New Zealand a separate colony in 1841 and gave it limited self-government in 1852. Different traditions of authority and land use led to a series of wars from the 1840s to the 1870s fought between Europeans and various Maori iwi. Along with disease, these conflicts halved the Maori population. In the 1890s, New Zealand initially expressed interest in joining independence talks with Australia but ultimately opted against it and changed its status to an independent dominion in 1907. New Zealand reaffirmed its independence in 1947, signed the Australia, New Zealand, and US (ANZUS) Treaty, and militarily supported the US in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
In recent years, New Zealand has explored reducing some of its ties to the UK. There in an active, minority movement about changing New Zealand to a republic, and in 2015-16, a referendum on changing the New Zealand flag to remove the Union Jack failed 57% to 43%.
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/new-zealand/
Cultural Insights
The sacred feature of the Maori is the head and so touching it is avoided. In the marae, the hongi (touching of noses) is the accepted greeting. Otherwise the handshake, the hug, and the cheek kiss are used, depending on the degree of intimacy. Verbal greetings includes "Hello," "How are you?" "Gidday," and, especially, in North Island, Kia Ora ("Good health," "Are you well?").
Men enjoy "mateship," which involves close contact, but otherwise contact distance is arm's length.
Source: https://www.everyculture.com/Ma-Ni/New-Zealand.html
Transportation
By Air
Most international flights arrive into Auckland Airport, located in the northern part of the North Island. Christchurch, Wellington, Rotorua, Queenstown and Dunedin airports also receive a small number of international flights.
Source: https://www.newzealand.com/int/flights-to-new-zealand/
Money
All major credit cards are accepted in New Zealand, with Visa and Mastercard the most widely used. Many retailers in main centres also have Apple Pay.
You can exchange foreign currency for New Zealand currency at banks, some hotels and Bureau de Change kiosks, which are in international airports and most city centres.
There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that can be brought in or taken out of New Zealand. However, every person who carries more than NZ$10,000 in cash in or out of New Zealand is required to complete a Border Cash Report.
Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are available at bank branches, along main shopping streets and in malls. International credit cards and ATM cards will work as long as they have a four-digit PIN encoded. Check with your bank before leaving home.
Source: https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/new-zealand-currency/
Health
If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 111 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Ambulance services and quality medical care are widely available in New Zealand. Access to medical care may be less available in rural areas.
Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. If they do not, consider emergency or comprehensive traveler’s insurance. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/new-zealand
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/NewZealand.html
Electricity
New Zealand operates on a 230V supply voltage and uses type I plugs.
The Type I plug has two flat pins in a V-shape as well as a grounding pin. A version of the plug, which only has the two flat pins, exists as well. The Australian plug also works with sockets in China.
Australia’s standard plug/socket system is rated 10 amps but a plug/socket configuration rated 15 amps also exists, although the ground pin is wider. A standard 10 amp plug will fit into a 15 amp socket but not the other way around.
Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs
Communication
Time zones in New Zealand: New Zealand Standard Time (GMT+13) & Chatham Islands Territory (GMT+13/45)
International country code – 64
New Zealand’s mobile market continues to undergo significant developments; there have been considerable gains made in LTE services, with effective competition between Spark, Vodafone NZ, and 2degrees.
The widening coverage of LTE networks has been supported by the Rural Broadband Initiative rollout. Vodafone NZ expects to extend its NB-IoT footprint to cover at least 60% of the country by 2024.
Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/new-zealand/
Phrasebook
| English |
Maori |
| Hello! |
Kia ora |
| Goodbye |
Haere rā |
| Good morning |
Mōrena |
| Good evening |
Ahiahi pai |
| Good night |
Po pai |
| Please |
Tēnā koa |
| Thank you |
Kia ora |
| Yes |
āe |
| No |
Kāo |
Source: https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/maori-language/
Entry Requirements
If you plan to visit New Zealand for a short period, you need request a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) before you travel if you are a citizen of a country which has a visa waiver with New Zealand (you can stay up to three months).
If you don’t meet the above, then you’ll need a visitor visa. The fastest and easiest way to apply for a visitor visa is online: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas/apply-for-a-visa
Before travelling to New Zealand, you need to make sure your passport is valid for at least three months longer than your expected departure date. If you come from a country that needs a New Zealand visa to enter, please be sure to apply in advance.
If you have a biometric ordinary passport (or electronic passport) and are over 12 years old, you may be able to use New Zealand Customs eGate service. This allows you to complete your Customs and Immigration checks faster so you can get on with enjoying your visit to New Zealand.
Source: https://www.newzealand.com/int/visas-and-immigration/
Embassies and Consulates
United States Embassy in Wellington
29 Fitzherbert Terrace
Thorndon
Wellington 6011
Phone: +64 4 462 6000
High Commission of Canada in Wellington
Level 11, 125 The Terrace
Wellington 6011
Phone: +64 4 473 9577
Source: for USA https://www.usembassy.gov/
For Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates
UNESCO Sites
New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands
The New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands consist of five island groups (the Snares, Bounty Islands, Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands and Campbell Island) in the Southern Ocean south-east of New Zealand. The islands, lying between the Antarctic and Subtropical Convergences and the seas, have a high level of productivity, biodiversity, wildlife population densities and endemism among birds, plants and invertebrates. They are particularly notable for the large number and diversity of pelagic seabirds and penguins that nest there. There are 126 bird species in total, including 40 seabirds of which five breed nowhere else in the world.
Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand
The landscape in this park, situated in south-west New Zealand, has been shaped by successive glaciations into fjords, rocky coasts, towering cliffs, lakes and waterfalls. Two-thirds of the park is covered with southern beech and podocarps, some of which are over 800 years old. The kea, the only alpine parrot in the world, lives in the park, as does the rare and endangered takahe, a large flightless bird.
Tongariro National Park
In 1993 Tongariro became the first property to be inscribed on the World Heritage List under the revised criteria describing cultural landscapes. The mountains at the heart of the park have cultural and religious significance for the Maori people and symbolize the spiritual links between this community and its environment. The park has active and extinct volcanoes, a diverse range of ecosystems and some spectacular landscapes.
Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/nz
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