new zealand

[lidlicker]

We are planning a trip touring New Zealand in December. Where is the best place to be on Christmas Day? Are places open for tourists.
Any advice would be appreciated.

[eash]

Even though I have been to New Zealand I wasn't there over a Christmas period. It's a beautiful place you will love it. The friends I know out there went camping over Christmas in the North of the North Island; Kaitaia, if I remember rightly. They stayed at a campsite but I do not know the name of that, sorry.
I'm sure others on here can also advise you were to go on Christmas Day but the general concenus is that there will be a fair few things open for tourists on Christmas Day.

[Ethel]

New Zealand shops have to have a licence to open Christmas Day and they must sell 'essential supplies'.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are public holidays and tourist attractions will be closed, certainly on 25th.

As here, restaurants are booked months or weeks in advance for Christmas Day lunch.

This is a good site that lists the best attractions and provides email addresses for each. You could email for opening times to help you plan your holiday
http://www.leadingattractions.co.nz/Default.as px?DN=5,1,Documents

[jno]

things tend to be closed rather than open (and January 1 and 2 tend to be holidays as well). Going to the beach is a popular option, though the weather isn't reliably good for another month or so.