Interest in the interactions between climate, weather and tourism has increased markedly in the last decade in response to climate change concerns; however, there is little empirical research on how tourists respond to the weather conditions they encounter. Thus, in this paper we examine the impact of the weather on a sample of international tourists visiting New Zealand during the 2009-10 summer season. Based on weather-related changes made to tourists' travel routes, the timing of their travel and activity participation whilst in New Zealand, respondents were segmented into three groups: those with 'no travel changes' during their trip, 'some travel changes' and 'substantial travel changes' to their trip. The results show a generally high level of changes made to trips, particularly in the less settled early summer season, and an interesting link with satisfaction. The research provides an empirical basis for a framework that would facilitate further research into the adaptive capacity of tourists towards climate variability and change.

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In this article we examine cultural aspects of the working holiday experience using the New Zealand Overseas Experience (OE) as a significant and revealing exemplar of this kind of travel. To date, the working holiday experience has been poorly served by tourism and migration literature in general terms, with even less attention paid to cultural aspects of these experiences in relation to both their origin and form. Using archival material and interview data on the OE as an empirical base, we explore in detail the cultural determination of this working holiday experience, the cultural connections that facilitate and reinforce its continuing form, and the hybrid cultural practices of the OE itself. Findings suggest that cultural aspects are central to the working holiday experience. We therefore suggest that the role of culture deserves more explicit attention in both tourism and migration studies that address such working holiday experiences.

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