Free stuff to do in New Zealand. Kiwis help the Tourist?

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Madison!

I live in Christchurch. Are you going there? If so, I'll list a few things :].

EDIT:
Transport... if you aren't going to rent a car, the bus is always a good option. Don't listen to people who say NZ public transport is bad- I don't believe that's true.

http://www.metroinfo.org.nz/
That's the website for the bus, has maps, different routes and stuff.

The Christchurch Gondola
http://www.gondola.co.nz/
Not very expensive, there's pricing on the site. You can see the whole of the city from up there, I suggest going at night when the city lights up, it's gorgeous! There is a restaurant and gift shop, other things. A few short walks (best to do those at daytime though) up there, it's on the top of a hill.

The Botanical Gardens
http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Parks/BotanicGardens/
They're great, free! Take your camera, there are lots of gorgeous plants and other things.

The Museum
http://www.canterburymuseum.com/.
It's free, you can make a donation but it's not compulsory. It has a lot of NZ history in there and other stuff. It's right next to the botanical gardens.

The Art Gallery
http://www.christchurchartgallery.org.nz/
Is free and I guess if you're into art it's a good place to visit. It's got NZ art.

The Arts Centre
http://www.artscentre.org.nz/
Go on the weekends (when it isn't raining) because there are stalls. People make things and sell them, like jewelry, clothing, toys and so on.

The Tram
http://www.tram.co.nz/
It's fun if you're a tourist but I think it's a bit of a rip off personally. You can see everything just walking around instead but it's an interesting ride nonetheless especially if you're with kids.

I also think that Information Centres are helpful. I have been to them with friends when they come to visit, I've never had a problem with them and they don't try to sell you stuff. Well they do because it's their job lol but they ARE helpful and don't shove things in your face demanding you buy it. Don't be afraid to check them out.

If you are going to CHCH I can list some more things for you, those are the first things that come to mind :]. And if you're going with kids I can list some fun things for them!

Picton Info

Heres a list of 10 free things to do in Picton Marlborough Sounds
http://www.picton-newzealand.com/free-picton-activities.html

Little Miss Sweet As !

Gosh....i thought the only free thing to do in NZ was go to the beach or parks........you got some great info there, hope you have a great time!!.

olwenc

If you are visiting Marlborough, and you have your own transport then you can have free wine tastings. Places I especially recommend especially are Villa Maria and Hunters. You can also have free tastings at Prenzel Distilling.
Other notable winegrowing areas include Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Martinborough and Canterbury.

Zebra

there are millions of free things, entertainment wise try the auckland city council website (just google it under google.co.nz) & search events as over the spring & summer there is loads of free entertainment things on that attract hundreds or thousands of Aucklanders. Most of them have been on already now though. Also there are the Western beaches in West Auckland, rugged surf beaches, great to go to for a tourist (Jane Campion's Oscar winning movie The Piano was filmed on one of the beaches out there). Also out that way are The Waitakere's which is a fantastic bushwalking spot with loads of walks (there are books you can buy detailing all the walks with maps). Basically there is fantastic scenery everywhere in NZ so your whole holiday could consist of just driving around & checking it out. One of the best things is Tane Mahuta the giant, ancient kauri tree in the Upper North Island. It's one of the largest trees in the world and amazing to stand there and look at it and think that it was around at the same time that Jesus walked the earth. That's how old it is. It costs nothing to go and see it. Also Te Papa the huge museum in Wellington is free and so are alot of museums and art galleries. Other great beaches are Raglan on the West Cost of the North Island, not far out of Auckland and Hahei Beach and Cathedral Cove in the Coromandel. Also 90 Mile Beach and Cape Reinga in the North of the North Island are worth going to (Cape Reinga is the Northern most tip of NZ, it's awesome to stand up there. Of course all these things are free.

amandajayneelizabeth

There are heaps of great answers already so I won't repeat any of those but I did notice a lot of the focus was on the South Island.

Up in the North there are heaps of Kauri Pines (those massive trees) that you can drive into forests and see. Really relaxing some you can drive right up to and others if you are a walker are going to be more your style.

Mind you the big attraction probably north of Auckland are the beaches. Some of the most beautiful in the world (excepting Australia of course - have to say that I am an Aussie!).

Mind you the tip about talking to the locals is probably your best bet. They treat tourists like royalty and will help you in any way they can.

Have a great trip.

Driver T

It may be difficult because, if things are free, they don't advertise. Locals will know of everything in their area, and the fame (or otherwise) spreads by word-of-mouth.
There are far too many things to mention here, but if you go to the official tourism website you may get an idea.

mareeclara

There are lots of walks you can do without paying ( this is excluding the "national" tracks like the Milford track, Queen charlotte, Abel Tasman etc.....
I worked on the West Coast ( of the South Island) at Franz Josef and there are some STUNNING walks and places to see for free....yes having a hire car will help you get to the places but pretty much all the walks around there are free.
There will be lots of little walks that you can do. It might be an option to buy little brouchures about the walks that have maps, what to see and do, history etc....these are usually found at Department of Conservation centres ( DoC) for a dollar or so and would be useful in some cases, others would just need a general freebie map of the area that again easily obtained.
If not walks, them drives ( scenic drives) visiting a scenic reserve, going to the beach......

richie9x

Generally free things are paid for by the city council. Most city councils have a website that lists local events and the facilities that they provide.

I would suggest you check the website for the city council that covers the area you plan to visit.

Edie00

Free stuff in Wellington:
Walking in the botanical gardens.
Visiting the national museum of NZ: Te Papa
Visiting the City Art Gallery
Going to Oriental Bay beach
Going to the Wairarapa for the day (wine country - have to admit to have fun up there you would need to spend some money though!)
In summer there are loads of free concerts and events on in various parks and squares in the city.
I would suggest you look at each cities websites, there is loads of info available if you look in the right place.
Hope that helps.

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