New Zealand basics:
Shopping
New Zealand blends Maori and European heritages to create a totally unique culture. You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting souvenirs of your trip.
We have recommended the wool products already, and ever popular is anything with the silver fern pattern on it, one of the symbols of New Zealand, All Black gear, and anything from pauau shell, a colorful shellfish that is also yummy to eat, usually made up into fritters.
Other favorites to take back are carvings of natural materials, and unusual jewelry made from shells, and the fabulous and now carefully restricted native jade, in both green and black, carved in fabulous designs like swirls and spirals, each with its own unique meaning.
If you shop at the Jade Factory, which has many outlets thoughout the country, you can’t go too far wrong, and they often have special sales and closeouts on certain lines. They can also give you information on the various Maori patterns you see, which mean protection, luck, and so on.

Wining and Dining
The food is incredibly fresh, and seafood is a must. As of course is lamb if you like it. The wine industry is booming, having grown to about 4 times what it was in the past 20 years or so and showing no sign of slowing down. The New Zealand people enjoy the best things in life, and appreciate them to. Prices range from inexpensive to a small fortune, depending on what you eat and where. Cities are obviously  more pricey.
One thing you must have is their hot chocolate, often served with unusual marshmallows. Since I don’t drink coffee, and herbals teas are in a bit of short supply in their equivalent of starbucks, I think I had cocoa in every single place I visited, and each one was better than then next!
Don’t forget to have the New Zealand green mussels-I got a dozen shelled in a little plastic tub ready to eat for less than $3NZ-gorgeous! Supermarkets are good value for all your food needs at the backpackers, for breakfast and lunch, especially if you want to take a packed lunch. If you want a hot one, well, there does not seem to be any such thing as bad fish and chips in New Zealand. The fish is amazing, with so many choices, make a pooint of trying everything. Oh, and the oysters and clams, yum!
Accommodation
As I said, I stayed in backpackers, in order to have more cash for lots of other things, and really, you can’t go too far wrong. People of all ages, included lively octagenarians, stay in them, so my fears about being too old because not a student any more were put to rest.
They all have laundry facilities, full kitchens, and while they might be a bit more run down and dirty in cities, you will be spending so little time in your room it does not really matter.
Everyone is every friendly and helpful, and it is a great way to meet people if you are travelling on your own.
For more fancy hotel accommodation, check with the tourist board, or book online.
Getting around
In the cities, the public transportation is plentiful and cheap. You can usually get an all day pass and Auckland has a great loop bus that comes every five minutes and you can go round and round seeing all the sites and hop off when you need to.
http://www.totaltravel.co.nz/travel/north-island/auckland/auckland/transport/buses/city-circuit
has a map and timetables.
For longer journeys, there are a variety of coach and tour companies, and many of them cooperate with the Intercity line. As I said, the flexipass which starts with a certain number of hours, which you can add on to, is ideal. Everyone in every tourist board is exceptionally helpful, so you should have no trouble getting around on your trip of a lifetime, New Zealand.

BACK TO AUCKLAND
After my circuit of the North Island, with a day trip to the south, I headed back to Auckland for my plane home. But there was still a ton to do! And not much time.
The Sky Tower, like the Space Needle in Seattle, is the hub of Auckland.
http://www.skycitydarwin.com.au/skycity/auckland/sky-tower/sky-tower_home.cfm

At 328 metres, Sky Tower is the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere, offering breath-taking views for more than 80 kilometres in every direction.
Underneath is the main bus station, while the Tower itself houses restaurants, cinemas, and a bungee.
Next stop is Auckland Domain, acres of rolling green just about in the heart of the city.
Auckland Museum is housed in one of New Zealand’s best-known heritage buildings. Located in the Auckland domain, with spectacular views of the city and harbour, the Museum also serves as a war memorial, with galleries telling the story of New Zealanders at war.
Auckland Museum is also home to the most comprehensive collection of Maori Taonga (treasures) and Pacific artefacts in New Zealand.
Overall, the Museum provides a window on New Zealand’s cultural, social and natural history, and includes the award-winning Discovery Centres - “Weird and Wonderful” and “Treasures and Tales” - places for fun and exploration of the natural world and human culture for children of all ages.
The Maori treasures and the building itself are truly fascinating, and a day will fly by here.
If you don’t want to eat in the museum itself, walk into Parnell, an historic village ideal for shopping and sophisticated socializing. It is a hilly area, and a walk downhill back into the city.
Or you can circle round and round all the main sights in Auckland on the Loop bus, which runs frequently and goes past many of the major attractions, plus the university, Sky Tower, and the Britomart station, where you can get a local bus out to any of the lovely suburbs of Auckland, or the train south to Wellington, an 11 hour journey.
Last but not least, no trip to New Zealand and Auckland would be complete without a visit to http://www.kellytarltons.co.nz/home/

Kelly Tarlton’s is a wonderland of snow, ice and amazing underwater sights. Explore the wilds of Antarctica and the natural treasures of the ocean depths in our Underwater World - and beyond.

You can get one of the buses from the Britomart center and ask the driver to let you know where to get off. The scerney up the coast of Waitemata harbor is so gorgeous you might miss your stop like I did!

One place I will definitely go is Kaikora, to do whale watching. Whales migrate around New Zealand’s islands in set patterns, even going in and out of the Cook Strait, so if you want to see right whales, sperm, or humpback, this is your place to do it. There are also killer whale, and orcas, and dolphins.

http://www.naturallykaikoura.co.nz/kaikoura/WhaleWatch/

Off the Kaikoura coastline is a marine environment so rich in nutrients that it attracts some of the most magnificent creatures with which we share our planet. At the top of the list is the Giant Sperm Whale that can grow up to 20 metres and weigh over 50 tons. These whales can be seen all year round making Kaikoura one of the most popular whale watching locations in the world.

In addition to the Sperm Whale a number of other species may be seen, depending on the season, as they follow their migratory route.

This unique marine experience also provides an opportunity to sight New Zealand Fur Seals, Dusky Dolphins, the rare and endangered Hectors Dolphins, and a wide variety of seabirds including the Royal Albatross.
Once you have had your whaling adventure, you can head back to Picton. It is near the head of Queen Charlotte Sound near the north-east corner of the South Island. You can walk the most amazing nature trails, swim with dolphins, visit the Seahorse Aquarium and the maritime museum, a fascinating step into the whaling industry which still thrived in the area until the 1950s.
One thing is for certain, there is a huge number of things to do and see in New Zealand, and once you have visited you can’t wait to go back. I had two glorious weeks, and it was nowhere near enough.
If you want the best of all worlds on your vacation, sun, surf, nature and culture, plan a vacation to New Zealand.

More about the South Island
Dunedin is a lively city with an enduring Scottish heritage. It is located in the Otago Peninsula region, which has many spectacular natural features, such as several huge lakes and forests, accompanied by caves, glaciers, waterfalls and whirlpools.
On South Island you also discover the beautiful Fjordland national park. This encompasses glaciers, waterfalls, mountains and forests. This area offers countless alpine walks with stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Close by is Queenstown, set on the edge of a lake in an icy valley and the number one destination for lovers of adventure sports. It is a winter wonderland, the Alps of the south.
I only got as far as Picton on the South Island, but I will be back, with warmer clothes! I thought England was chilly in spring, but whew! I was frosty once I hit Wellington and then crossed over.

Outside of Auckland, North Island
Wellington, North Island
You will want to visit the other main museums while you are here. Wellington Museum of Sea and City has maritime exhibits, especially on whaling and fishing, and a great interpretive feel to help capture what it was like to live there at different eras. It is a great way to pass a rainy day, and believe me, it rained when I was there!
http://www.nzmaritime.org/home.html
Then there is the national museum, the great Te Papa, ‘our house’, filled with treasure and artefacts, whole traditional houses and store houses, and with a remarkable glen next to it to help you explore the plant life of New Zealand.
It shows the seismic history of the islands, and the whaling industry as well.
http://www.tepapa.govt.nz/Tepapa/English/
Wellington is pretty in a unique way, though I have to admit I really preferred Auckland. It just seemed more spacious and less claustrophobic. I think it also might bave been because of the earthquake activity—it is a bit like LA, always on the move, and the day after I left they had the largest quake ever recorded.
So I don’t think it’s any wonder that I felt so ‘unsettled’ when I was there that after a couple of days, I decided to head to the South Island for a little day trip-which turned out to be the ride of my life!
The Interislander ferry runs a passenger service to and from the islands across the Cook Strait and through the incredible Marlborough Sounds. There is a free bus from the train station that takes you to board the ferry about 30 minutes before you are about to leave if you are a foot passenger.
What should have been about 2 hours turned into a 5 hour ordeal in a ship like a bucking bronco. I wasn’t ill myself, because I am a good sailor, but some people turned inside out they were so ill.
Then the boat was delayed for the return journey, so I should have been back by eight PM, and I got back to my back packers hostel Lodge in the City at 2 in the morning. The employees still on duty were so kind they got out their own cars and drove us home themselves from the by now bleak and desolate ferry terminal.
But the trip was well worth it, for the views were magnificent, and Picton, the docking point, is a charming town with great food, wonderful walks, and more attractions than you might imagine.
Picton has a small railway line that will take you to Blenheim and points further south, and it is a gateway to wine country around the area, and the lovely beaches on the north part of the south island.
I ate the most superb food at Le Café on the Main Street, overlooking the channel so you can watch all the waterside activity through the plate glass windows, and lunch was the most fantastic fish and chips.

Outside of Auckland, North Island
On to Wellington
Wellington, on the North Island, is the nation’s capital. It is at the southernmost tip of the north island, on the Cook Strait. Superb views of this vibrant city are on offer from adjacent Mount Victoria.
Wellington has a lovely harbor and offers wonderful shopping, dining and cultural activities, as well as arts festivals are held all year round.
It is a very wet city, and despite being there in spring, and having been in teeshirts the whole time in Auckland, Paihia and Rotorua, I was COLD! So cold that I was wearing my thermal underwear and almost all the clothes I had with me, and I still had to buy a fleece. And I was there in spring!
Your first port of call should be the tourist board, to find out what is on and make your bookings as soon as possible.
The Lord of the Rings tour of many of the sites used for filming, plus a glimpse of Peter Jackson’s house and studios, was excellent, giving you a great feel for the city as well as the films, and taking you out to some really unspoiled wilderness, as well as the Botanic gardens where they did some filming.
You will also get to go to the seaside and yummy Chocolate Fish café, the actors’ home away from home as it were for the three years they were there working on the project. They all lived with host families, for the most part, and so the anecdotes your local guide tells you are fascinating and fun. For example, Viggo Mortensen was nearly arrested for carrying around his sword everywhere, trying to get into the role of Strider/Aragorn!
The Chocolate Fish Café was in danger of losing its place due to high rents, but it has a sister café and it did all the catering for the day tour for us, yummy.
The parks around Wellington were all lovely, and it is great to see it all in person—no, it was NOT all computer generated, you can REALLY go to a lot of the places from the film. It was a long day, but well worth it.
Another fabulous thing to do is take the cable car up the hill to the botanic gardens and observatory, where you can often see free shows and hear lectures on the sky at night over New Zealand. The cable car is, oddly enough, situated next to the McDonalds’ on one of the high streets! Blink and you will miss it. It takes you up to one of the university campuses, a glorious cricket field and the top of the hill.
http://www.wellingtontrams.org.nz/
If you are feeling fit, you can walk back down. The view from the top of the harbor and the city is breathtaking.
Not too far away is the The Colonial Cottage Museum, Wellington’s oldest identified building, which was built by carpenter, William Wallis, in 1858. This was a time when candles were made from tallow and when the nails used to build the Cottage were imported.

Displays show the ways in which the first colonials blended their lives from their Victorian homeland with the dictates of a new country. Enjoy the garden, the remaining portion of an 1840 New Zealand Company Town Acre, on which the Cottage was built.
http://www.colonialcottagemuseum.co.nz/home.html

Swimming

The lake provides safe swimming in crystal clear waters. During the summer months the lake temperature reaches an average of 23°C/75°F, while the Winter can see the temperature plummet to 10°C/52°F.

Hotwater Beach

Situated on the southern shores of Lake Tarawera, soaking in the thermal waters is a wonderful way to unwind. The water temperature varies and some mixing may be required to attain the perfect temperature. The temperature is around 38°C/100°F. Hotwater Beach is accessible only by boat. A water taxi is available from Boat Shed Bay, or a luxury charter boat from Clearwater Cruises for a longer excursion.

The Buried Village

Te Wairoa Village was destroyed by the Mount Tarawera eruption which covered it in layers of mud, stone and ash. The Buried Village is the excavation of the Village site displaying many artefacts uncovered after the eruption. Attractions include a wildlife park, outstanding museum, handfed rainbow trout, an exciting bush walk that descends the spectacular Te Wairoa waterfalls, tea rooms and souvenir shop.

Nature Walks

Tarawera Falls walk is accessed by boat. This walk begins under the mountain at the outlet of the lake—the Tarawera River. The walk is of a moderate grade and takes approximately three hours round trip. A water taxi service can take you there and then onto Hot Water Beach before returning back to the dock. You should allow about five hours for this experience. Taxi rides to other places on the lake are also available.

The Lake Okataina Eastern Walkway. Access is by boat also. The walk begins at Humphreys Bay with a 30 minute walk across to pristine Lake Okataina. This walk would suit moderate to fit walkers and takes approximately three to four hours.

On the western shore where the Lake Tarawera community is situated there is a walkway extending from Te Toroa Drive through to Waitangi Bay. This can be accessed in many places along Spencer Road and is an easy walk that meanders along the lakeshore in front of the many houses that dot this area. There are plenty of places to access jetties and beaches for swimming.

Helicopter Adventures

HELiPRO offers the most comprehensive and exclusive range of scenic helicopter excursions available in the area. Special pickup from your accommodation may be possible if landing is allowed. With trips over the Waimangu Valley, Mt Tarawera and White Island, it is difficult to choose what to leave out!

Kayaking at Lake Tarawera

Pack up a kayak and explore Lake Tarawera at your leisure, close to nature and in peace. Experience some spectacular scenery and wonderful birdlife leaving nothing but a ripple on the lake. For those who don’t have their own, Adventure Kayaking can provide bare kayak hire and guided kayaking adventures. Options include spending half a day taking in the scenery and the beautiful homes while exploring the western shoreline, overnighting at Hot Water Beach where the wallabies love to bounce on the kayaks at night, and/or paddling to the Outlet and walk to Tarawera Falls before retiring for the night at the Outlet camp. Adventure Kayaking are happy to guide you on your half, full or multi day tour and can provide you with good wholesome meals, prepared for you while you take in the splendour. If you are an experienced kayaker, their Freedom Hire option may suit you.

Cruising on Lake Tarawera
Experience luxury cruising on Lake Tarawera with Clearwater Cruises and the thrill of catching trophy size rainbow trout. Feel the adrenalin while skimming across the sparkling clear water on one of our three seater jet skis. Immerse yourself in a natural thermal rock pool. Enjoy freshly prepared gourmet cuisine featuring the finest New Zealand products. Capture a memory never to be forgotten.

Lake Tarawera Water Taxi Service
Take a fast and comfortable water taxi ride to anywhere on the lake accessed within 15 minutes! Arrange a drop off and pick up at Tarawera Falls Walkway or Humphries Bay Walkway, relax at Hot Water Beach accessed by boat only, or take a scenic spin of the North Western shoreline of the Lagoon to view some of Lake Tarawera’s exclusive homes, the choice is yours. You can join other or book the taxi for your own private tour, subject to availability. The water taxi is custom built for optimum viewing comfort in all weather conditions seating comfortably 14 passengers with easy access via an opening at the bow making stopovers at secluded beaches a breeze. Trips depart Boat Shed Bay at Kariri Point (third road on right after The Buried Village) - look for the Water Taxi sign on the left. Kayaks available for hire. Phone Graeme or Sandy (07) 362 8080.