This NZ guidebook is of a similar vein to the very-popular DK (Eyewitness)New Zealand (Eyewitness Travel Guides) NZ guide. Both books are full of color glossy photos of all the main NZ attractions and spots...but neither book gives you the essential details as how/when/how much/exact driving directions. Both Natl Geo and DK are sort of "primers" on NZ--both are somewhat like a compendium of colorful rah-rah tourism brochures.
That said, I think the DK book is better at what it does than this book. I've looked through them both very thoroughly, and while Natl Geo does have some info that DK doesn't go into depth with, I feel that the DK book has better photos that bring to life the country in a more appealing manner, and DK does a better job "fleshing -out" the tourism hot spots than Natl Geo. Both books are full-color, and thus very heavy to lug around NZ.
Neither of these books is similar to either Lonely Planet nor Rough Guide. Both those books are full of detailed minutiae about NZ restaurants, lodging, historical bits, tours, ferries...and all other commercialized info.... whereas Natl Geo and DK are about a colorful overview of NZ, without the details that a traveler NEEDS when actually in New Zealand.
I've spent the past 5 summers in New Zealand writing and photographing guidebooks. After looking through the Natl Geo offering extensively, I still would recommend the DK guidebook to plan an initial trip to NZ...but then also plan on needing a better on-the-ground guidebook or two for when you are actually in New Zealand. Hope this helps! National Geographic Traveler: New Zealand
We thought the maps, pictures, and content gave a great overview of New Zealand. This book was perfect in helping us plan which regions we wanted to visit and how much time we wanted to spend in each region. We found the section with recommendations on food and lodging to be a little weak, so we have relied on other tools, such as [...] and the Lonely Planet book to fill that niche.
I didn't give it 5 stars because the cover was "rubbed" looking, but otherwise beautiful pictures and all. I bought it as a gift for my aunt and uncle who are going on a cruise to australia and new zealand. - New Zealand Travel Guide - Travel To New Zealand - New Zealand Travel - New Zealand Guidebook'
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