New Zealand comprises two main islands, the North Island and the South Island. The total land area is approximately 268,000 square kilometers (about the combined area of Victoria and Tasmania). The distance from the top of the North Island to southern tip of the South Island is 1600 kms. The northern tip of the North Island lies at 34 degrees south (this is approximately on the same latitude as Sydney).

Wellington is situated on the south-west tip of the North Island and is about the same latitude as Launceston (Auckland is at about the same latitude as Canberra). The southern most tip of New Zealand lies at a latitude of 46 degrees south.

The landmass of New Zealand is narrow and mountainous. The Southern Alps form the major mountain chain extending the length of the South Island and lying close to the western seaboard. The Alps contain glacial systems which have retreated and formed wide glacial valleys and inland lakes. The highest mountain in the North Island is a volcano, Mount Ruapehu (2797m high) , which is the site of the North Island winter ski resorts of Whakapapa and Toroa. These ski fields were closed in September 1995 when Mt Ruapehu erupted, and were affected by another eruption in 1996. Not far from the mountain is Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand (it is a popular recreation area and famous for trout fishing).

Subtropical in the North and temperate in the South. The North has no extremes of heat or cold but winter can be quite cool in the South, with snow in the mountains. The eastern areas often experience drought conditions in summer; the West, particularly in the South Island, has more rain. Mean sea level temperatures are 15oC in the far north decreasing to 9oC in the south. Over most of the country, rainfall is high and spread evenly throughout the year. Wellington has a weather pattern that is strongly influenced by the sea and can be very windy. The rainfall is not as torrential as it is in Sydney. It tends to be more like the rainfall in Melbourne, often accompanied by gusty winds. The wind chill factor is largely responsible for the cold. Much of New Zealand lies in an earthquake zone and there are occasional tremors.

New Zealand is accessible, spread over three relatively small islands with modern and efficient transport, quiet roads, plenty of flights and two stunningly scenic rail journeys. Other pluses are friendly, English-speaking people, virtually no crime, and a trio of rich cultural influences - adventurous Polynesian navigators (Maori), pioneering European settlers who followed a thousand years later, and modern Pacific Rim immigrants.