A great place to travel, reasonably safe and if you want to do it on the cheap, there are lots of good backpacker places to stay in very special locations. No spiders, snakes or dangerous animals here and great swimming if you like the water. Best places to see are off the beaten track where tourists dont go. Best to talk to lots of people and let the hospitality take over.

every day is a trip to me in NZ as I live here, Xmas on a beach is a must do if you live on the other side of the earth : )