BY Fariha Eshrat
Whether you’re looking for a thrilling adventure, a calming natural retreat or an entrancing cultural experience, New Zealand is the one-stop wonder for your next holiday. Warm Kiwi hospitality, the All Blacks rugby team, vibrant cuisine and an ever changing landscape makes this destination a feast for the eyes,
body and soul.
The Wonders of New Zealand
Unbelievably scenic, New Zealand is home to lush national parks, breathtaking glacial mountains, refreshing hot springs, crystal blue lakes, entrancing glowworm caves and long sandy coastlines. It is no surprise this picturesque country is a common filming location that is home to Middle Earth of Lord of the Rings and over 70 other blockbuster movie shootings. You can enjoy these extraordinary landscapes by hiking across any or all of the nine Great Walks or while biking, skiing, bungy jumping, abseiling, caving, canyoning, skydiving or finding any activity that fits your level of adventure.
Truly a haven for all, New Zealand also hosts an excitingly diverse wildlife. Take a trip to one of the predator-free islands, natural reserves or zoos to get a glimpse of some of the most exotic bird, reptile and marine species on the planet. New Zealand’s clear night skies also make it an ideal destination for extraordinary stargazing from any of the observatories or the Auckland Stardome.
For those who love engaging in beautiful cultural celebrations, New Zealand’s exemplary preservation of the indigenous Maori traditions is an exciting opportunity to delve into the rich heritage of the country. Enjoy a hāngi (Māori feast) or catch a cultural performance with song, dance and the famous haka (war dance) for a truly memorable experience.
The local gastronomy scene and all-year-round festivals celebrating the cultural diversity of the locals also makes New Zealand a fun filled destination. The Lantern Festivals at Chinese New Yea in Auckland, festivities at Cuba Street in Wellington, Jazz Festival at Easter in Tauranga, Winter Festival is Queensland are among some of the exciting celebrations you can experience during your trip to this exciting country.
Bilateral Relations
The praiseworthy distinguished relations between the two friendly countries are evident in the longstanding history of trade and communication between New Zealand and Saudi Arabia, there is successful continued strategic cooperation which serves the common good of both countries. The embassy in Saudi Arabia is also accredited to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Yemen, with an embassy in Riyadh and a Honorary Consulate in Jeddah. New Zealand has maintained a resident ambassador in Saudi Arabia since 1985. Cross-accreditation to Egypt ceased in 2006 with the opening of a mission in Cairo and cross-accreditation to the United Arab Emirates ended in 2011 with the establishment of an embassy in Abu Dhabi.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia showed great support during the Christchurch attack by inviting relatives of victims to take part in the Hajj pilgrimage in August 2019 as guests of HRH King Salman and HRH the Crown Prince. Over 200 pilgrims, including Superintendent of the Auckland Police Department Naila Hassan were part of this trip.
“New Zealand has been humbled by the support we have received from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia following the Christchurch terror attack on our Muslim community,” James Munro, New Zealand’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, told Arab News. “This includes words of support from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the attendance at the national memorial service by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel Al-Jubeir, and a generous donation of $1 million to the victims’ families by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.”
Trade relations between the two nations have always been significant and well maintained. In 2017, Saudi Arabia was New Zealand’s 20th-largest market with approximately NZ$507 million exported to Saudi Arabia, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The Kingdom is reportedly the biggest importer of New Zealand products in the Middle East. New Zealand exports dairy products, meats and wood products to Saudi Arabia in exchange for oil products. New Zealand companies have also participated in providing services in areas as diverse as retail interior design, government and policy consulting, food safety and architecture.
In August 2018, a Saudi and New Zealand joint ministerial group ended a two-day series of meetings in Auckland with an agreement to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. The committee’s minutes were signed by Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadhli, and New Zealand Minister of Trade and Export Growth David Parker. Al-Fadhli said: “Trade between the two countries has witnessed remarkable development in past years, rising from SR675 million ($16 million) to about SR3 billion in 2016.”
Abdulaziz Al-Hewesh, director-general of the ministry’s General Administration of Legal Affairs and International Cooperation, said that the joint ministerial committee recommended strengthening work and partnerships to achieve the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 in the fields of diplomacy and justice, trade and investment, consumer protection, standardization, finance and banking, as well as cooperation in the fields of energy, industry, mineral wealth, information technology and sports.
In March 2017, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir and his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully signed a memorandum of understanding in Riyadh for the two countries to exchange political consultations. The ministers also discussed bilateral relations, and regional and international developments. The meeting was attended by ministry officials, Saudi Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand and New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Kingdom.
In May 2010, Saudi Arabia and New Zealand signed an agreement to exchange expertise in science and technology. There are thousands of Saudi students in New Zealand, and there is cooperation between Saudi and New Zealand universities regarding geological studies. This shows the large variety of fields in which both countries have cooperated and are continuing to cooperate in towards this growing bilateral relation.
Where To Go
- The Remarkables mountain range allows travelers to enjoy the scenic Queensland landscape while skiing, hiking or mountain biking right beside the suburban bustle of this exciting city.
- Abel Tasman National Park is a haven of untouched natural splendor with green hills and sand coves fringing upon the azure Tasman Sea open for hiking, kayaking, swimming, sunbathing or even camping for those who visit.
- Milford Sound is known for its iconic Mitre Peak standing over a gorgeous backdrop of cascading waterfalls, cliffs and elusive wildlife such as seals, dolphins and the Fiordland crested penguins.
- Rotorua is home to steamy geysers, bubbling mud pools and a Maori village. Enjoy the rich cultural heritage and geothermal treasures of New Zealand when visiting Rotorua.
- Waitomo Caves is an exciting maze of subterranean caves, canyons and rivers. Rafting through dark caves, glowworm caves, and underground abseiling are must-try experiences!
What To Do
- Cycling along the Central Otago Rail Trail will allow you to appreciate the beautiful landscapes and the heritage streetscapes of this former gold-mining town while snacking on the summer stone fruit the region is famous for.
- Dine in Wellington, the capital city with abundant innovative food trucks to high-end gastronomy, a vibrant arts-and-music scene and beautiful mountain biking and walking trails, all to the backdrop of a glistening harbour.
- Feast at Kaikōura which is NZ’s best spot for both consuming and communing with marine life. Feast on crayfish, go on a fishing excursion, or take a boat tour or flight to see whales, dolphins, seals and marine birds.
- Enjoy Art Deco at Napier, a beautiful town now housing cool new restaurants, hotels, shops and galleries.
- Visit filming locations because New Zealand’s dramatic scenery – golden plains, towering mountains and enchanting valleys – plays the mythical world of Middle earth™ on the big screen in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogy.
- You can also visit Cathedral Cove – the set for the ruins of the castle Cair Paravel, in the Chronicles of Narnia- Prince Caspian, among many other filming locations.
