Jet boats, a Kiwi invention

Have you heard of jet boats before? They pull water from behind the boat and eject it from the back of the craft, unlike typical boats that use an external propeller. Jet boats were invented in the 1950s by William Hamilton to cross New Zealand's swift and shallow rivers. They can operate in as little as 7.5cm (3 inches) of water and turn quickly in tight locations like gorges. This is one of the things about New Zealand you should know.

Visitors to New Zealand who enjoy watersports can be assured that they will never be more than 128 kilometers (100 miles) from the ocean. Our summer and winter temperatures will be fewer than 10 degrees apart, thanks to the cooling action of the ocean. There's no excuse not to appreciate the beauty of New Zealand waters, whether they're fresh lake water or salty ocean water, from kayaking to jet boating.