Bollywood actor Sidharth Malhotra has been sharing his love for New Zealand ever since he was appointed the Tourism New Zealand brand ambassador for India. Here's what he did when he visited New Zealand...
Skywalk
This is the most magnificent bird’s eye view of the gorgeous Auckland city. It takes place 192 metres above Auckland City whereby visitors walk the circumference of Auckland’s famous Sky Tower. The Sky Tower stands tall at 328 metres in the heart of Auckland and is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere.
Sky Dive
The free fall at NZone Skydive center in Queenstown is known as one of the best and safest places in the world to try this adrenaline-pumping adventure sport. NZONE has been offering tandem skydiving in Queenstown since 1990. Having jumped over 250,000 customers’ to date, NZONE is New Zealand’s most experienced Tandem Skydive Company.
Diving
Sidharth found his calm as he cut himself from this world and dived deep into the heart of the ocean. A whole new world opened its doors to him under the surface of the water. The corals and tiny, colorful sea creatures make one admire the wonders of nature. New Zealand’s Poor Knights Island region with Dive Tutukaka is one of the top 10 diving destinations in the world! The region has the largest sea cave of the world and is home to the only living dinosaur species; the Tuatara
Haka Dance
The Haka is a type of ancient Māori war dance traditionally used on the battlefield, as well as when groups came together in peace. Haka is a fierce display of a tribe's pride, strength and unity. Actions include violent foot-stamping, tongue protrusions and rhythmic body slapping to accompany a loud chant. The words of a Haka often poetically describe ancestors and events in the tribe's history.
Each country has its own form of local culture in which music and dance are important elements of entertainment. Similarly in New Zealand, the Māori people are known for the ‘Haka’, a war dance that is not only a challenge to opponents, but also a mark of respect.
Hot air ballooning
Another must do is sunrise hot air balloon ride in Queenstown. This ride offers panoramic views of Queenstown and its surroundings such as "The Hobbit" filming locations, Southern Alps, Lake Wakatipu, and The Remarkables mountain range. The balloon rises to altitudes of over 6000ft and drifts with the breeze.
Weta workshop
A die-hard fan of sci-fi movies and fantasy films, how can Sidharth forget to mention the enchanting Weta Workshop where all the legendary characters come alive? In fact, Sidharth had an opportunity to actually dress up like an elf warrior.
The Weta Team brought The Lord of The Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit Trilogy to life and helped put New Zealand on the map as a film tourism destination. The team at Weta has won 36 awards including 5 Oscars and 4 BAFTAS. The Weta Cave Workshop Tour is a movie based visitor experience in the heart of Miramar, Wellington. A 45 minute guided tour starts and finishes in the famous Weta Cave and provides a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse into the workings of Weta Workshop.
Onsen hot pools
Onsen Hot Pools is located high on a cliff-side overlooking the magnificent Shotover River canyon, providing views over breath-taking alpine scenery and the perfect vantage point to watch the Shotover Jetboats on the river below. Onsen Hot Pools are Queenstown’s only indoor/outdoor hot pools and with the push of a button the front wall and roof retract to reveal incredible views. The pools are filled with a mixture of mountain spring water, rain water, and lake water.
Get inked
One of his impulsive decisions was to get a temporary Maori tattoo done. It was a fun experience and Sidharth believes that it helped him get closer to the local culture.
Barbeque picnic
What can be better way than to spend a lazy holiday afternoon to hog on scrumptious fresh sea food while you lay in the sun sipping one of the world’s finest wines. According to Sidharth a riverside barbeque lunch with your buddies is a one of a kind experience.
With more than 14,000 kilometers of coastline, New Zealand is home to some amazing seafood while the country’s wine is known for its purity, vitality and flavor.
Visit to Tane Mahuta
Last but not the least, one of Sidharth’s most memorable experiences in New Zealand is his visit to Tane Mahuta, a 2000 year old tree that is known as The Lord of the Forest. He suggests his friends to experience the peace and serenity that the forest has to offer. This is the largest Kauri tree in the world.
Skywalk
This is the most magnificent bird’s eye view of the gorgeous Auckland city. It takes place 192 metres above Auckland City whereby visitors walk the circumference of Auckland’s famous Sky Tower. The Sky Tower stands tall at 328 metres in the heart of Auckland and is the tallest building in the southern hemisphere.
 |
| Having fun on the Sky tower |
Sky Dive
The free fall at NZone Skydive center in Queenstown is known as one of the best and safest places in the world to try this adrenaline-pumping adventure sport. NZONE has been offering tandem skydiving in Queenstown since 1990. Having jumped over 250,000 customers’ to date, NZONE is New Zealand’s most experienced Tandem Skydive Company.
Diving
Sidharth found his calm as he cut himself from this world and dived deep into the heart of the ocean. A whole new world opened its doors to him under the surface of the water. The corals and tiny, colorful sea creatures make one admire the wonders of nature. New Zealand’s Poor Knights Island region with Dive Tutukaka is one of the top 10 diving destinations in the world! The region has the largest sea cave of the world and is home to the only living dinosaur species; the Tuatara
 |
| Sidhharth is greeted in Maori way by Bill |
Haka Dance
The Haka is a type of ancient Māori war dance traditionally used on the battlefield, as well as when groups came together in peace. Haka is a fierce display of a tribe's pride, strength and unity. Actions include violent foot-stamping, tongue protrusions and rhythmic body slapping to accompany a loud chant. The words of a Haka often poetically describe ancestors and events in the tribe's history.
Each country has its own form of local culture in which music and dance are important elements of entertainment. Similarly in New Zealand, the Māori people are known for the ‘Haka’, a war dance that is not only a challenge to opponents, but also a mark of respect.
Hot air ballooning
Another must do is sunrise hot air balloon ride in Queenstown. This ride offers panoramic views of Queenstown and its surroundings such as "The Hobbit" filming locations, Southern Alps, Lake Wakatipu, and The Remarkables mountain range. The balloon rises to altitudes of over 6000ft and drifts with the breeze.
 |
| Sidharth playing cricket with Stephen as the wicketkeeper |
Weta workshop
A die-hard fan of sci-fi movies and fantasy films, how can Sidharth forget to mention the enchanting Weta Workshop where all the legendary characters come alive? In fact, Sidharth had an opportunity to actually dress up like an elf warrior.
The Weta Team brought The Lord of The Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit Trilogy to life and helped put New Zealand on the map as a film tourism destination. The team at Weta has won 36 awards including 5 Oscars and 4 BAFTAS. The Weta Cave Workshop Tour is a movie based visitor experience in the heart of Miramar, Wellington. A 45 minute guided tour starts and finishes in the famous Weta Cave and provides a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse into the workings of Weta Workshop.
Onsen hot pools
Onsen Hot Pools is located high on a cliff-side overlooking the magnificent Shotover River canyon, providing views over breath-taking alpine scenery and the perfect vantage point to watch the Shotover Jetboats on the river below. Onsen Hot Pools are Queenstown’s only indoor/outdoor hot pools and with the push of a button the front wall and roof retract to reveal incredible views. The pools are filled with a mixture of mountain spring water, rain water, and lake water.
Get inked
One of his impulsive decisions was to get a temporary Maori tattoo done. It was a fun experience and Sidharth believes that it helped him get closer to the local culture.
 |
| Sidharth gets a Maori tattoo from renowned tattoo artist Steve Maddok |
Barbeque picnic
What can be better way than to spend a lazy holiday afternoon to hog on scrumptious fresh sea food while you lay in the sun sipping one of the world’s finest wines. According to Sidharth a riverside barbeque lunch with your buddies is a one of a kind experience.
With more than 14,000 kilometers of coastline, New Zealand is home to some amazing seafood while the country’s wine is known for its purity, vitality and flavor.
Visit to Tane Mahuta
Last but not the least, one of Sidharth’s most memorable experiences in New Zealand is his visit to Tane Mahuta, a 2000 year old tree that is known as The Lord of the Forest. He suggests his friends to experience the peace and serenity that the forest has to offer. This is the largest Kauri tree in the world.
