For Mako, a twelve-year-old boy growing up in Kaikoura, New Zealand, life changes for the better after he throws a stone accidently through a church window. This incident begins his friendship with Hariata, an elderly spiritual Maori woman who opens Makos eyes to the spiritual aspect of his local environment among naturethe forest, the Kowhai river, the birds, and the ocean. Set in the summer of 1988, the adventure of growth for Mako and reconciliatory healing for Hariata unfold under the watchful eye of the sacred mountain. There is no beginning or end to nature, just as there is no beginning or end to life. The collage of beautiful colors in the paua shell comes from these elements, the heart and soul of our mountain. Again, do not be fooled by what you first see. These shells are the gems of the ocean. They are the rainbows of the sea, Mako. They are the mana from the sacred mountain that watches over all of us. This adventure was written twenty months before the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that shook the Kaikoura township and surrounding region on the 14 November 2016. Everyone in the area has been affected by it. My heartfelt thoughts go out to them all. Their struggle since to resurrect their lives has brought them closer together. As you read this story, send your positive thoughts to Kaikoura and the community. We wish them well for the future.

Describes the history and culture of New Zealand and offers tips on accommodations, restaurants, and sights.

New, expanded edition: the world's best full-color travel guides just got better. This volume in the award-winning Eyewitness Travel Guides series show New Zealand as it has never been shown before. With the help of this guide, you can explore the sites with 3-D cutaways, and get the inside scoop on the best restaurants, museums, shops markets, festivals, art, and more! The Best Just Keeps Getting Better! Great maps and plenty of hotel and restaurant recommendations make sure your visit is fun and hassle-free.

'Land of the Long Wild Road' is an off-beat, observant and humorous journey around New Zealand. Bob and Viv Goddard ride two small off-road motorcycles on gravel tracks, drovers' routes and four-wheel-drive trails into the wilderness of this fabulous and unspoilt country.

Insight Guide New Zealand is a comprehensive, full colour travel guide to this small but amazingly diverse country, and provides both inspiration and information to plan a memorable trip. The Best Of New Zealand section is our pick of the top attractions and unmissable experiences such as walking on Franz Josef Glacier, discovering the Waitomo glow-worm caves, and taking a jetboat ride on the Dart River through the pristine Mount Aspiring National Park. Lively features immerse you in New Zealand's fascinating history and culture, exploring Maori handicrafts and traditions as well as contemporary Kiwi music, theatre and film. We also show you where to sample the country's high-quality food and wine, try out adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities, and get up close to gurgling geysers and other sulphurous geothermal wonders. The Places section covers the entire country in detail, from the sun-kissed capital, Auckland, in the north to the remote Fiordland National Park in the South. There are insightful descriptions of all the main attractions, and detailed, full-colour maps for easy orientation, plus beautiful photography throughout. The Travel Tips section provides comprehensive planning information, and our independent reviews of selected hotels and restaurants lead you to the most authentic establishments. About Insight Guides: Insight Guides has over 40 years’ experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce around 400 full-color print guide books and maps as well as picture-packed eBooks to meet different travelers’ needs. Insight Guides’ unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture together create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure. ‘Insight Guides has spawned many imitators but is still the best of its type.’ - Wanderlust Magazine

Budget travel is what BUG guides are all about - no flash hotels and fancy banquets - just the most comprehensive information on backpackers' hostels and living it up without blowing the budget.

We travel to grow - our Adventure Guides show you how. Experience the places you visit more directly, freshly, intensely than you would otherwise - sometimes best done on foot, in a canoe, or through cultural adventures like art courses, cooking classes, learning the language, meeting the people, joining in the festivals and celebrations. This can make your trip life-changing, unforgettable. All of the detailed information you need is here about the hotels, restaurants, shopping, sightseeing. But we also lead you to new discoveries, turning corners you haven't turned before, helping you to interact with the world in new ways. That's what makes our Adventure Guides unique. Written by a native New Zealander, this guide covers every region and town, with in-depth information on the Maori culture, the remarkable places to stay and eat, vineyard tours, cooking schools, thermal springs, albatross and whale encounters, scenic drives, and more. Canoe the Whanganui River, ride in a hot air balloon, hike the Waikaremoana Track, explore Whirikana Forest Park, take a glacier tour. There s even a section on how to talk Kiwi English! Photos, maps. Print edition is 622 pages. "The book is great. I love the www references, the personal touches and for me the descriptions and comments make me feel like I am already there." -- Richard Hart. "An activity guide packed with detail on everything from horseback riding and camping to fishing, cruising, hiking and more. Chapters are organized regionally and make it easy to look up local accommodations and eateries, inland and water adventures, and even small local maps for quick consultation." --Midwest Book Review. "The perfect companion for planning." --Rutgers Magazine. "These useful travel guides are highly recommended." --Library Journal