Recreation in New Zealand
Skiing and snowboarding
New Zealand has some of the most dramatic skiing in the world. On Mt Hutt (1.5 hours drive from Christchurch), you can enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery with the Pacific Ocean visible on the horizon. 
Skiing and snowboarding are popular sports in New Zealand. The locations of the ski fields in relation to the bigger cities, predominantly Christchurch, make it achievable to head to the mountain in the morning, enjoy a day’s skiing and be home in time for dinner.
There are plenty of shops that hire out equipment, and the ski fields also provide this service at a reasonable cost – an average of $45 per day for ski hire (adult) and a day pass will set you back approximately $75 (adult). All ski fields will offer half-day passes and one-trip passes (i.e. once to the top of the mountain and back again).
It’s not just the locals who enjoy the slopes. New Zealand's tourism earns in excess of $NZ100 million a year from tourists visiting the slopes and this figure is rapidly growing. In just those few months of business, snow tourism makes a significantly large contribution to the country's economy.
Hiking
With the country’s breathtaking and dramatic scenery, hiking and walking are very popular pastimes in New Zealand. If you enjoy hiking, then New Zealand is the place for you with its dramatic and ever-changing scenery. Hiking is enjoyed by locals and is also popular with tourists, with some coming to New Zealand solely for this purpose.
There are an abundance of good walks and hikes to choose from, spanning both islands. If you are hiking for a number of days, there are Department of Conservation (DOC) huts available and camping grounds where you can pitch up and stay overnight. These, while clean, are very basic.
When you are hiking in New Zealand, always be prepared for a change in conditions. The weather can change rapidly, and if you are not prepared you could put yourself and any other members of your party in jeopardy. Tracks are as nature designed them and do not have, as in some countries, safety barriers to protect you. In New Zealand you are expected to approach things with caution and a sensible head! New Zealand's landscape is vast and not always accessible by road, so it is quite possible that you could hike all day and not see another person.
Horse Riding
What better way to enjoy New Zealand's dramatic scenery than on horse back? Horse riding is a popular activity in New Zealand, and the climate and availability of space makes it much easier to own a horse that is not stabled than some other countries where space is at a premium.
Half-day and day tours are available through many riding schools/centres if you wish to ‘have a go’, and riding lessons are also readily available. One-hour lessons for children and adults will vary from between $20 - $40 per hour.
New Zealand does not have bridle paths, as much of its land is privately owned. So if you do wish to purchase a horse it is well worth speaking to the local farmers for permission to pass through their land. Roads are generally much quieter in New Zealand, too, making a ride out on the open road more enjoyable.
Golf
New Zealand is home to more than 400 golf courses, ranging from rural paddock-style fairways to the luxurious courses at Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers. The country has the highest number of golf courses per capita in the world, with many world-class courses and facilities on offer.
Courses overlooking snowy mountains, stunning lakes or with cliff-top sea views, make for some of the greatest golf locations in the world. The North and South Islands are both home to a number of internationally acclaimed golf courses and cater for beginners to experts.
New Zealand’s reputation for hospitality extends to welcoming visitors at most clubs, though booking is recommended. It is generally an inexpensive country in which to play golf with green fees ranging from NZ$15-$120 at the top courses (Kauri Cliffs excluded).
In small rural centres, farmers make land available for play, the greens are fenced off and stock graze the fairways, eliminating the need for mowing. Waikohu Club at Te Karaka, 30kms from Gisborne hosts the unusual hazard of a large Hereford bull!
Golfers wanting to get away from the mainstream clubs should taste the country courses, which often have a Farm Manager rather than a Greens Superintendent. It can be unnerving to face a shot to a fairway where a hundred or so sheep are having dinner but they seem to have an inborn radar system telling them when they are under fire.
The local rules at such course reflect the uniqueness – the golfer must drop away from a newborn lamb and the player has an optional replay if the ball strikes the wire or the post of the electric fence (used to keep the sheep from the greens).
Source: Tourism New Zealand
Kitesurfing and windsurfing
Not for the faint-hearted, kitesurfing is one of the fastest-growing extreme water sports in the world. Kitesurfing (kiteboarding or flysurfing, depending on where in the world you come from) is quickly gaining popularity in New Zealand. The sport was originally started by the French and popularised by Robbi Naish in Hawaii. This new extreme water sport is a dynamic, constantly evolving mix of windsurfing, wakeboarding, surfing, paragliding and power kiting. It tests the surfer/boarder to the limits.
New Zealand is great for windsurfing. The two islands provide miles of stunning coastline, harbours and lakes, which are suitable for all types and levels of windsurfing. As with all water sports, please do not forget that the New Zealand sun’s UV rays are incredibly high, especially in the height of summer, so a high factor, waterproof SPF should be applied often during the day!
Surfing
New Zealand is made up of two main islands, the North Island and South Island. The main source of swell for both is from the low pressure systems of the Roaring Forties, but New Zealand is fortunate to pick up swell from just about anywhere. This makes New Zealand a great place for a surfer. Combine that with the fact that there are a large number of surf spots, relatively few surfers and quality waves, the conditions are fantastic. The North Island is a little warmer than the South both in and out of the water, and in the summer you can get away with just your board shorts.
The North Island has New Zealand's best-known surf spot – Raglan. Half-way down the west coast you can find a superb left-hand point that seems to go on forever. Raglan is a must-see for any New Zealand surfing trip. If you want to find several quality surf spots within close proximity, head to the Taranaki Peninsula where you’ll find lots of great waves and ideal wind conditions.
The South Island is cooler and can be quite bitter in the winter, but the quality, empty surf more than makes up for the temperature. The main bodies of surfers on the South Island are based in and around Christchurch and Dunedin on the east coast. Steer clear of these and you'll have the place to yourself. Top spots on the South Island are the variety of breaks around Dunedin and the powerful reefs and points of Kaikoura.
New Zealand is a great place to learn to surf because there are so many options. You can find yourself out on your own in quality surf with a couple of mates, a beautiful snowy backdrop and only the sheep watching.
Source: surfing-waves.com
Cinema
Kick back and relax whilst watching a new release at one of New Zealand's many cinemas. Aside from the larger cinema groups mentioned, you will find some more unique cinemas that have sofas and coffee available for a much smaller audience. Cinema prices are approximately $15 for adults, $12 for students and $9 for children and seniors. Each cinema will also have special offers depending on time of day, film and if a voucher is involved.
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