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Time Zone: GMT + 12 (GMT + 13 from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March).

Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) = 100 cents.

Language: English and Maori.

Sightseeing: The town of Lyttelton is an attractive port with a beautiful narrow harbour. It is a good base for exploring New Zealand’s South Island, in particular the neighbouring ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch, the Island’s largest city. The River Avon flows through the centre of this distinctively ‘English’ city, flanked by tree-lined avenues, old stone buildings and stately homes. Amidst numerous leafy parks, the neo-Gothic Cathedral and its surrounding square form the nucleus of the city. Other places of interest include the Old Canterbury University, the Canterbury Museum, the Chamber of Commerce Building, Riccarton House and the Provincial Council Buildings. For excursions from Christchurch, the nearby Banks Peninsula has a number of excellent beaches and bays suitable for swimming and other watersports.

Shopping: Special purchases include distinctive jewellery made from New Zealand greenstone (a kind of jade) and from the beautiful translucent paua shell. Maori arts and crafts are reflected in a number of items such as the carved greenstone tiki (a unique Maori charm) and intricate woodcarvings often inlaid with paua shell. Other items of note include woollen goods, travel rugs, lambswool rugs, leather and skin products.

Eating Out: See Auckland.