Hehe, the real reason NZ remains so beautiful is that it is so far from the rest of the world and we are extremely careful about who we let in here.
There is just 1 million people resident in the South Island and the isolation keeps out the riff-raff . . . . (I was born here so I have a good excuse lol)
As for the North Island, half of China and a third of India now live there.
To be AVOIDED at all costs
The really awesome thing about being a motorcyclist here, is there is a lot of us, and I mean A LOT! Not to mention the incredibly diverse scenery, altitudes, types of roads, mountains, plains, farming country, small desert type areas, plateaus, fiords, all within a few hours riding periods.
Oh, and the random earthquakes keep things pretty exciting too!
If anyone of you lot really want to come visit, I know it's a big journey and expensive, but I am happy to help in any way I can, be it accommodation, touring routes, finding a bike to ride, general Kiwiana knowledge . . . just ask.
Heck, I'll even ride the South Island with ya!
I know a Canadian guy that came here to tour NZ on a bike, he said that in Canada it is a dream destination among most bikers to see NZ before they shuffle off this mortal coil.
Anyway, just sayin', Kiwi loves his country and wouldn't wanna live anywhere else.