Auckland - Upper North Island
Bay of Islands - Upper North Island
Rotorua - Upper North Island
Taupo - Upper North Island
Wellington - Lower North Island
Napier - Lower North Island
New Plymouth - Lower North Island
Christchurch - Upper South Island
Blenheim - Upper South Island
Kaikoura - Upper South Island
Mount Cook - Upper South Island
Nelson - Upper South Island
Picton - Upper South Island
Westland - Upper South Island
Queenstown - Lower South Island
Dunedin - Lower South Island
Invercargill - Lower South Island
Te Anau - Lower South Island
Wanaka - Lower South Island
Licensing Laws A licensed restaurant is able to sell wine, beer or spirits with a meal. A BYO (bring your own) license means that customers can take in their own wine, although they may be charged for corkage, including use of glasses: Some places are both licensed and BYO. Wine bars and licensed cafés are becoming more common throughout the country.
Alcohol and the Law The legal drinking age for imbibing in bars and taverns is 20, although 18- and 19-year-olds may drink in a restaurant in the company of someone aged 20 or over. Bars are open daily, all day, until 11pm or later. Remember that roadside tests for alcohol and blood samples may be taken at random from any driver of a vehicle.
A Hangi A Maori hangi is a method of cooking on heated stones in an earth oven. Traditionally, the food is sandwiched between leaves, sprinkled with water, and then steamed. Some resort hotels and tour operators offer this option, usually in conjunction with a Maori song and dance performance. At some places the food may be precooked before being finished off hangi-style.
Wineries Grapes are grown in west Auckland, the Waikato district north of Hamilton, around Gisborne and Napier, at Martinborough near Wellington, in Nelson, in Canterbury, and central Otago. The premier wine-producing district, however, is regarded as the region around Blenheim in Marlborough. Wine Trail brochures are provided by the local tourist offices in these regions, giving the locations and opening hours of the vineyards.
Wild Foods Festival Held at Hokitika in early March, this festival is an annual extravaganza of gourmet bush-tucker, based on the West Coast's natural food sources. The emphasis is on novel, tasty, and healthy dishes using natural, wild food. As well as the food and drink, entertainment takes place all afternoon.
Wine and Food Festivals The annual Marlborough Wine and Food Festival, centered on Blenheim in the second or third weekend of February, is the leading event of its kind in the country. This event showcases the region's reds, whites, and sparkling wines, as well as local gourmet foods. Hot fun under a blazing sun, with live music, and a real party atmosphere.Similar festivals celebrating the pleasures of eating and drinking are held at Wellington, Christchurch, Martinborough near Wellington, and Auckland's suburb of Devonport.
Cobb & Co This was the name of the first South Island horse and coach company, providing transport around the island on a number of set routes before the days of the railroad and automobile. Their name is remembered in a chain of restaurants.
Tipping and Tax As a rule, tipping for any sort of service is not a common practice in New Zealand and is not expected. However, if the service has been exceptional, a tip will not be refused.
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