New Zealand is a haven for families with kids. There are just so many interesting things going on for children, especially if they are interested in the outdoors. There are endless beaches, walking tracks, mountains, lakes and rivers to explore and enjoy as a family.

And it’s safe - an extremely safe place - though saying that, you’ll still want to take the standard precautions and keep an eye on your kids, especially little ones. Teaching your kids about ‘stranger danger’ is practiced here, just as it is in every country in the world.

The biggest worry is kids wandering off and getting lost, either in crowds in cities, or in the wilderness. New Zealand has high drowning statistics, so you’ll want to make sure that kids are safe in the water - and that includes lakes and rivers, as well as beaches.

There are no dangerous animals - bears, wolves and snakes never got this far. Pesky insects, such as the sandfly, can be annoying, but insect repellent can sort that out.