Articles:
Caving
The deepest cave surveyed in New Zealand is Nettlebed Cave at Mount Arthur, north-west Nelson. It is 889m (2916ft) and also the third longest
at 24,252 metres (15 miles). The longest cave in New Zealand is the Bulmer Cavern in Mount Owen, south-west Nelson, which is 39.9 kilometres
(24.8miles), 400 metres of which are unsurveyed.
Most New Zealand caves are limestone caves, or its metamorphic variety marble, but there are some lava caves, mainly around Auckland. Virtually
every part of New Zealand has caves, but the best known caving areas are Waitomo, north-west Nelson, and North Westland.
In north-west Nelson, alpine caves are found at Takaka Hill, Mount Arthur, and Mount Owen, up to 1700 metres above sea level. These three marble
mountains contain all of New Zealand's deepest caves, as well as the three longest - the Bulmer, Ellis Basin System (28 km/17.39 miles), and
Nettlebed, both at Mount Arthur. Karamea in Westland features the 13km (8.07miles) Honeycomb Hill Cave, with 70 entrances, plus New Zealand's
largest limestone arches.
Further Information
New Zealand Speleological Society
P.O. Box 18
Waitomo Caves
Email Y.H.Cottam@massey.ac.nz
Two Jet Boat Rides
 The Shotover Jet in Queenstown is the most famous jet boat ride in New Zealand. It winds its way through the Shotover River and its spectacular
canyons, at speeds designed to take your breath away. But if visitors want to combine thrillseeking with rich local history, the Dart River Jet
Boat Safaris take some beating. The Dart River Jet travels through a stunning World Heritage area, amidst towering peaks, glaciers and ancient
forests. The adventure begins 45km out of Queenstown, at the peaceful hamlet of Glenorchy. Adventurers can take a two hour boat ride that includes
a short walk through the greenest bush on earth, or go the 4WD (four-wheel drive) option. This involves a 4WD trip from Glenorchy to Paradise
(named after a duck, but fitting for the location), a 20-30 minute bushwalk, then 75 minutes of jet boating up and down the Dart River. Guides
are extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area, revered by Maori for its pounamu (greenstone or jade). Tip: The boat ride can be extremely
bracing, to say the least, anytime other than summer, so warm clothing is a must, as are sunglasses that fit well
Further Information
Shotover Jet
Kerry Walker
Phone: +64 3 442 9361
Email: k.walker@shotoverjet.co.nz
Dart River Jetboat Safaris
Phone: + 64 3 442 9992
Tourism Innovators
Rodolph Lysaght Wigley (1881-1946) and his son Henry (Harry) Wigley were key players in the development of Mount Cook, one of New Zealand's
premier tourist areas. Rodolph formed the Mount Cook Company in 1912, leasing the Hermitage from the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts
in 1921 and expanding its facilities. One of the first to offer group packages to tourists, Rodolph boldly opened The Hermitage in winter, an
unheard of occurrence before this time. He promoted downhill skiing, and in 1923 became the first to climb Mount Cook in winter. In 1906 he became
the first to travel by motorcar from Timaru to Mount Cook. In 1920, he bought five aircraft for sightseeing and formed the NZ Aero Transport
Company. In October that year he flew on the first one day flight from Invercargill to Auckland.
Sir Henry Wigley continued in the spirit of his pioneering father, acquiring his father's passion for flying. After completing his pilot training
in Canterbury he joined the family firm, flying during the week and taking locals on sightseeing joyrides at the weekends. When World War II
broke out Harry volunteered to join the Air Force, first training as a flying instructor before serving as a fighter pilot in the Pacific from
1944 - 1945. Like his father, Harry was a true pioneer with tremendous foresight. He was an inventor and pilot of the first ski plane, mountain
climber, skier (a national downhill skiing champion), family man and co-founder of Mount Cook Airways (with his father in 1961).
The Backpacking Experience
Backpacker numbers to New Zealand increased by 15% to 190,000 in the 12 months to September 2000 according to Tourism New Zealand's International
Visitor Survey. Backpackers have an estimated total spend of $NZ672 million a year, spreading their expenditure through many and varied areas
due to their tendency to get ‘off the beaten track’.
‘New Zealand has a good reputation amongst backpackers world-wide,’ says George Hickton, Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand. ‘This
was emphasised in The Lonely Planet travel guide, where New Zealand was described as a 'microcosm of all the world's attractions'.’
Backpackers prefer to refer to themselves as travellers rather than tourists. The distinction is that a backpacker wants to ‘experience
places’ while a tourist wants ‘to be shown’ places. A recent Tourism NZ survey ‘Understanding New Zealand's Backpacker
Market’ found backpackers enjoy energising activities. They seek a destination that offers physical activities that provide them with a
challenge and/or a feeling of excitement, such as bungy jumping or skydiving. They may also seek more traditional but challenging activities
such as mountain climbing, hiking or diving.
Said one, in a sentiment conveyed by many in the survey: ‘I get up in the morning and know that I am going to do something new … bungy
or skydiving … perfect day … once in a lifetime … I just can’t wait … feel more alive …’
Another: ‘Everything you want to do is in a small space … climbing and diving … not far away.’
Further Information
Tourism New Zealand (Akld)
Phone +64 9 914 4780
Tourism New Zealand (Wgtn)
Phone +64 4 9147 5400
Great Outdoor Instructors
 The New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA) is a professional body that provides support and guidance to those in the industry.
It was established in 1986 to provide a nationally recognised assessment scheme for Outdoor Instructors. NZOIA also enables its members to update
their skills and training and evaluate themselves against industry standards. The association also has an awards scheme in the following areas:
bush, alpine, abseiling, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, caving, and sailing (through the New Zealand Yachting Federation).
Further Information
Steve Scott, Administration officer
Phone +64 4 385 6048
Fax +64 4 385 9680
Email ao@nzoia.org.nz
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