Join the bird bonanza on Kapiti Island<\/p>\n
Its not easy to spot wild kiwi. Stewart Island is your best bet but, if youre not heading that way, Kapiti Island a nature sanctuary and marine reserve accessible from Wellington is a good option. Visitor numbers are limited, giving Kapiti an exclusive feel. With a local guide, learn about the Maori, whove inhabited this island for centuries; kayak and snorkel the protected waters; and stay overnight in a safari tent, cabin or classic bach bungalow for the chance to see endemic birdlife including bellbirds, takahe, parakeets, weka and, perhaps, little spotted kiwi.<\/p>\n
A 21-night Wildlife Encounters self-drive with Discover the World (01737 214250; discover-the-world.com), visiting Kapiti, costs from 4,077pp excluding flights.<\/p>\n
New Zealand is a really long way to go. So make the most of all that travel by contrasting the country with the equally far-flung South Pacific. After hopping around the Bay of Islands, raising a glass or three of Hawkes Bays finest and going full-throttle in adventure capital Queenstown (try mountain biking, rafting and kayaking), jet to Laucala, a private Fijian island retreat where villas sit amid lush mountains, white sand and coconut palms, and the diving and snorkelling is out of this world.<\/p>\n
A 14-night Ultimate New Zealand and Fiji tailor-made trip with Abercrombie & Kent (01242 547760; abercrombiekent.co.uk) costs from 27,995pp including flights.<\/p>\n
Virgin Atlantic (0344 874 7747; virginatlantic.com) flies to Auckland from London via San Francisco on a codeshare from 981 return.<\/p>\n
Air New Zealand (0800 028 4149; airnewzealand.co.uk) flies to Auckland from London via Singapore on a codeshare from 1,113 return.<\/p>\n
Fully vaccinated adults and children under 17 will be able to visit from 23:59 on May 1 without needing to isolate on arrival. However, they will be required to take three Covid tests: one before departure (PCR, LAMP or rapid antigen), another rapid antigen test on arrival, and a third on day five or six.<\/p>\n
More information here.<\/p>\n
This article is kept updated with the latest information.<\/p>\n
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20 reasons to visit New Zealand, now that we finally can - The Telegraph<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Join the bird bonanza on Kapiti Island Its not easy to spot wild kiwi. Stewart Island is your best bet but, if youre not heading that way, Kapiti Island a nature sanctuary and marine reserve accessible from Wellington is a good option. Continue reading