When to Visit - Arts and Events

January's Auckland Anniversary Regatta has fun and excitement for all, combined with a spot of serious sailing boat racing in the magnificent Waitemata Harbour. March hosts Pasifika, a one-day festival of Polynesian music and dance. One weekend in February has a popular series of events known as The Asian Lantern. Yachting, food and wine events take place throughout the year.

Performing arts are centred in The Edge, a large municipal complex in the centre of the city. Famous opera singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has imparted a musical gloss to her homeland; the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra both play frequently.

Auckland Dining

Fragrantly fresh fish and shellfish, lamb, milk, cheese and vegetables, all taken from nearby blue seas and green fields, make a good basis for both simple and sophisticated cooking. Immigration has given New Zealand chefs a variety of European, Polynesian and Asian traditions to play with. Wine in New Zealand has come on apace, taking on, and frequently beating, both Old World and New World competitors.

Auckland chefs have invested energy and intellect into making use of their opportunities, and dining in the city is said by some to rank with the best in the world.

Auckland Tipping Advice

Tipping is not general in New Zealand, but is becoming more widespread, and is practised in upmarket hotels and restaurants. Here it is expected that good service should be rewarded with a 5% to 10% tip. Porters should be satisfied with NZD 1.00 or NZD 2.00. Taxi drivers will be happy if a fare is rounded up, but this is more a reward for efficient service than an obligation. Workers in other walks of life may be bemused if tipped.

Customs Stringency

New Zealand's economy has a large agricultural component, and the country has unusual and sometimes fragile ecosystems. Customs posts therefore take a strong line on protecting the country from contamination and demand declaration of, amongst other things, food of any kind, plants or parts of plants (alive or dead), animals (alive or dead) or their products, equipment used with animals and equipment such as camping gear, golf clubs and used bicycles.

Water from Streams and Lakes

The New Zealand countryside is beautiful, but hikers and other pursuers of outdoor activities should note that it is not safe to drink from or bathe in most streams or lakes, as they sometimes harbour dangerous micro-organisms.