<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Sorry this summary is tardy.  I am more psyched than ever about visiting NZ after receiving all your responses.  Many thanks.  Here is a summary.  Hope I don't leave anything out.

The general consensus of opinion is that NZ people are MUCH more knowledgeable about CD than people in the US or Canada.  One visitor to NZ said he found Chinese restaurants offering to cook his meal "without msg or gluten," and bakeries that offered GF bread.  One small hotel he stayed at kept some GF bread in the freezer in case a celiac guest showed up!

Here are very helpful NZ sites that were provided:

http://www.nztd.co.nz/
http://www.nztd.co.nz/wheat/wheat.html
http://www.nztd.co.nz/gluten/gluten.html

In NZ, foods labeled GF must contain no detectable gluten, malt or oats.  A second category, Low Gluten foods, may contain up to 20 mg gluten per 100g of dry matter; this equates to the Draft Codex Revised Standard for GF foods.

NZ Coeliac Society web site is http://www.coeliac.co.nz
This site will take you to NZ Manufactured Foods database, which will list gluten free and low gluten foods.

One person recommended being sure to take probiotics, starting at least a week before the trip, and with each meal, to strengthen the immune system and gut flora.

One responder who lives in NZ stated that the general labeling of foods is not good and cautioned me to read labels very carefully.  However, reportedly there are excellent health food shops that carry a lot of GF foods.

Flights on Air Canada and Air New Zeland provide GF meals.  There is a question as to whether United still provides GF meals.

There are camping grounds throughout NZ and most have cabins.  You would require a sleeping bag in many cases.  Camping grounds have kitchens, but you'd require pots, etc.

There is a B&B in Wellington that is run by folks who have a celiac child.  Their E-mail address is [log in to unmask]

There are "studio units" in "motels."  These usually contain a bed-dining room plus kitchenette with cooking utensils (~NZ $80-100 per night).  For more on accommodation try:
www.aaguides.co.nez
or www.nz-accommodation.co.nz

NZ is said to be heaven on earth for the outdoorsy type.  One recommendation was to not miss the west coast of the South Island and Milford Sounds, as they are particularly beautiful.

One responder from Australia cautioned me that in Australia, NZ and England a label that says something contains "cornflour" should not be assumed to be safe, unless it also has "maize" as a description.  "Corn" can mean grain with gluten.

You can order GF meals with 24 hours notice on the trains.

Breakfast in NZ is either a continental buffet (breakfast breads, coffee and/or tea) or a full buffet, which is "horribly expensive."  Recommendation:  Stock up at a local grocery with breakfast items and put them in the "minibar."

In terms of towns, Christchurch (South Island) was lauded as probably the best town to get food.  All good quality restaurants were very helpful to one responder.  They particularly recommended the restaurant at the museum in Wellington for great food and a great view.

Hope this was helpful.  Thanks again!

Lati

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