We have complied various links for a “what to do guide” for Christchurch and the Canterbury area. There are many more links to be found go to www.google.co.nz and search Sumner Christchurch.

www.christchurchnz.com/canterbury/whattodo/ excellent comprehensive list.

www.christchurchholidays.co.nz/index.html lots of info on what to do.

www.sumnertoferrymead.co.nz Great website on the local Sumner area.

www.emigratenz.org Good info if your thinking about moving to NZ.

www.move2nz.com This is a Christchurch based company that help Brits to settle in NZ a good site if your think of moving to New Zealand they are based in Christchurch.

www.zmonline.com/ListenLive/Default.aspx ZM online is a NZ on line radio station with a link for Christchurch, great to listen to and a good insight to New Zealand life also not the same doom and gloom news like you get on UK radio stations.

www.harcourts.co.nz National property estate agents, great site for searching prices.

www.rvcmanz.co.nz In to motorcaravaning similar to the UK caravan club.

www.cranfordoakmotel.co.nz Motel based a few minutes from Christchurch centre only a couple of years old, internet access, SKY TV, warm welcome and used by ourselves.

www.surfcoach.co.nz Learn to surf at the end of the road from the house.

www.aaacarrentals.co.nz Just need basic car rental AAA are based near the airport and www.christchurchwebcam.com Webcam for Christchurch.

Why not take some time to visit our local information page then if you need any further help in planning your time here, Dave and Joy will be delighted to offer their suggestions

How to get here

One of the biggest obstacles that stands in peoples way when going to New Zealand is the travelling, when they say “it’s the other side of the world” its almost an underestimation. From the UK its at least 3 to 4 flights with fuel stop offs and your looking at around 24-28 hours in the air.

Many people wonder how long to come for, to that question there is no definitive answer except longer the better, some people don’t go home or go home sell up and emigrate to NZ but most of you are just coming for a holiday to start with. You could see NZ in 3 weeks and cram a lot in but many people seem to come for around 5-6 weeks which is ample time to see just about everything.

A lot of people make the mistake of not leaving enough time for the South Island and do 3 weeks in the north and a week in the south, you need to leave equal amounts of time to see both as the south island has more to see in terms of scenery.

One thing many people do is think they have to fly in to Auckland, this is not the case many airlines fly in to Christchurch including Emirates and British Airways and many have shuttle flights down to Christchurch which takes around 1hr 20mins from Auckland.

Below are a few links you can use to configure flights and also some links of companies we use and have used in the past that we would recommend. www.cheapflights.co.uk good place to start, this links all the travel agents together with website links.

www.airline-network.co.uk good website for putting in your departure airport and playing around with dates till you find the right flights.

www.waytetravel.co.uk 01782 412431 We have used Wayte Travel for a few years and they are excellent at finding you the right flight, primarily they do business class flights but can also quote for economy as well.

The Holiday Shop Tel 0114 244 8556 can arrange flights and stop offs en route to New Zealand.

There are of course many more places the only advice we can give is when booking always make sure they are ABTA or ATOL registered, also nowadays you can get excellent fairs by booking direct on the airlines websites.

www.emirates.com - Emirates

www.airnz.co.uk - Air new Zealand

www.ba.com - British Airways

www.singaporeair.com - Singapore Airlines