New Zealand High Commissioner to India, Bangladesh and Nepal
New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean where you can find anything and everything ranging from untamed wilderness to rich culture. The pleasant golden beaches around quiet bays make the beauty of the country more enchanting. Read to know more-
The first man to climb Mount Everest was from New Zealand. Tell us about the adventurous activities New Zealand offers for its travellers.
Proudly known as the Adventure capital of the world, New Zealand is a dream destination for anyone who is looking for an adrenaline rush. Whether it’s bungy jumping, skydiving, jetboating or ziplining, there is an adventure activity for everyone and it’s the perfect destination to tick off your bucket list of adventure sports. For bungy jumping, choose between special dedicated spots like the Kawarau Bungy site in Queenstown or unconventional places like the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Jet boating is another must-do activity that takes you on a thrilling ride through the beautiful blue gorges and river beds and can be enjoyed in many locations across the country. Lastly, nothing comes close to the thrill that sky diving offers, and I assure you that New Zealand is one of the best places to do it. Let the wind rush through your hair by skydiving in Queenstown, Wanaka, or Auckland.
Manuka Honey is native to New Zealand and is common in every household. Tell us about the gastronomy of New Zealand
Fresh, diverse, and delicious, that is how I would describe the culinary offerings of New Zealand. With more than 14,000 kilometres of coastline, New Zealand is home to some of the best seafood in the world. A paradise for wine enthusiasts, the country produces some of the best pinot noir and light, fruity sauvignon blanc. Roast lamb is another Kiwi delight that is held in high esteem throughout the world and is one of the country’s top export meats. Kiwis are also passionate about pavlova, a meringue-based dessert that is topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit, one of the best ways to enjoy New Zealand’s world-renowned fruits. Chefs around New Zealand are also putting an emphasis on ‘local’, creating menus from what they can source regionally and many turning to on-site kitchen gardens and foraging their own ingredients.
Which is your favourite mountain destination in the world and why, except New Zealand?
I’m probably the wrong person to ask because I don’t tend to go to the mountains for my holidays. Baguio in the Philippines is about as high as I like to go! The New Zealand Alpine team, who are a lot braver than I am, recently completed a successful ascent of Changabang, an incredibly challenging mountain to climb. They told me that even for those of us who wouldn’t even think about attempting a climb like that, there are many wonderful places to go trekking in Uttarakhand.