New Zealand: Introduction: Why Go Now

The truth is that having been born and raised in New Zealand, and being accustomed to thinking of a “lodge” as a prefabricated building in a sheep paddock, as was the case in the 1970s, I am both proud of and bowled over by what my homeland now has to offer. It has, rightly, become a mecca for nature lovers, from birders to spelunkers, and for sports enthusiasts, from golfers and fly fishermen to snowboarders and sailors, but even honeymooning Hollywood celebrities have hidden out in its lodges. I go home every year to sample a few of the latest offerings.