New NZ Lonely Planet Celebrates Kiwi Hospitality

Lonely Planet’s new edition New Zealand Travel Guide, released today, salutes the welcoming warmth of New Zealand’s people – even in the face of economic and sporting challenges.

“Despite the country’s growing profile on the international stage,” the guidebook says, “there’s one dimension of a trip to NZ that you probably haven’t counted on: the extent to which the average Kiwi will genuinely want you to have a really, really good time.

The guide does concede, however, that not “everyone wanders around with Prozac grins, hugging trees. A short drive on Auckland’s motorways will quickly dispel that notion.” And it recognises the less-than-festive economic situation: “New Zealanders, like the rest of the world, are still struggling to shrug off the gloom of the global economic crisis, which pushed the economy into recession and sent unemployment soaring.” (p. 17)

The new guidebook also comments on the Kiwi obsession with rugby, and on next year’s Rugby World Cup: “In 2011, NZ will play host to the Rugby World Cup (RWC) and chances are, whether you travel before, during or after the tournament, you’ll be thoroughly sick of hearing about rugby by the end of your stay.” (p. 17) For anyone planning a visit in spring 2011, the guide warns: “if NZ dips out of the RWC in the finals rounds for the fifth consecutive time … come armed with enough tissues to console a nation, but expect mass hysteria in the event of a victory.” (p. 18)

A notable new feature in this 15th edition of Lonely Planet New Zealand is an eight-page, full-colour section showcasing the personal NZ highlights of 14 prominent Kiwis: Footrot Flats cartoonist Murray Ball, stuntwoman & actor Zo