The Catlins, which was something of a tourist backwater in pre-Covid times, is enjoying a surge in travellers as Kiwis discover (or rediscover) their own country. The Catlins is the area between Balclutha and Invercargill, along the southeast coast. It’s the alternative to the main highway running west from Balclutha to Gore, then south to Invercargill. Along our way, my … [Read more...] about If you like to explore the gentle outdoors, the Catlins is the place for you
New Zealand
The rural town with some of the country’s largest street art
One man’s passion for his town has led him to get specially painted images put onto 35-metre grain silos in his company’s transport yard. Barry Sadler’s visual record of local heroes and their achievements is a special drawcard in the small inland South Canterbury town of Waimate. The portraits show former Prime Minister Norman Kirk who is depicted holding the hand of a … [Read more...] about The rural town with some of the country’s largest street art
Let’s go to a holiday park this summer
Families, couples, and the few remaining international visitors still in New Zealand are flocking to holiday parks around the country to take advantage of reasonably priced accommodation in attractive scenic areas. At the Foxton Beach Holiday Park, owner Uwe Kroll told me his customer profile pre-Covid was 80:20 domestic - international. “It's Kiwis only now”. A migrant from … [Read more...] about Let’s go to a holiday park this summer
Is Nelson really at the centre of things?
Promotional material aimed at domestic and international tourists says the centre of New Zealand is up a hill in the centre of Nelson City with a commanding view of the Nelson Tasman area. It is sort of true, and information on the Nelson City Council’s sites both back and qualify the claims. The country’s main tourist site NewZealand.com says: “The Centre of New Zealand, … [Read more...] about Is Nelson really at the centre of things?
The tiny Kiwi settlement where everyone wants ‘Inn’
At the small settlement of Scotts Ferry, southwest of Bulls, almost everyone is part of the “Inn” crowd. That is, they have a sign on their house or at the gate with the words “Inn” and a play of their own name or their favourite activity. For example, the Nixon family has a sign saying “NICKS INN”. And up and down Parewanui Road, there are plenty more signs like that. So … [Read more...] about The tiny Kiwi settlement where everyone wants ‘Inn’
Cruising the Capital’s cultural classics
Wellington is well suited for walking around its major cultural experiences. Several important museums and galleries are strung along the waterfront, adjacent to the downtown area, or are just a block or two back from there, while others are a kilometre or so further away. Start at Te Papa on the waterfront, not just because it’s the biggest and most interesting, but also … [Read more...] about Cruising the Capital’s cultural classics
Let’s take the scenic route
I ticked that off my list last summer, as my wife and I meandered back to Martinborough after spending a weekend in Napier. Months earlier I had taken a road map of New Zealand and had gone over it with a felt pen tracing out all the roads I had travelled. Of course, the major highways had been traversed, as well as almost all of what we used to call the provincial highways, … [Read more...] about Let’s take the scenic route
Marijuana: a legal, policy and administrative proble
Back in 1970s New Zealand, idealistic young reformers saw marijuana as a wonderful recreational drug which enhanced other experiences like eating, drinking, sex, music, images and the enjoyment of nature. They campaigned for its legalisation, and in the utopian state they envisaged, big tobacco companies were the enemy and wouldn’t be allowed to sell marijuana. The friendly … [Read more...] about Marijuana: a legal, policy and administrative proble
A journey into the Far North
Touring around the north of Northland is a step back into our earliest history, both European and Māori. It is the story of how the races met and interacted, of colonial days, development, hardship, conflict and strife – all the factors that shape the north as we find it today. Our group travelled by road from Auckland to Whangarei, but the trip really began in Paihia and … [Read more...] about A journey into the Far North
Take a train back into history
The TranzAlpine train trip between Christchurch and Greymouth is well known for its spectacular scenery but it’s also a wonderful journey into the colonial history of Canterbury and the West Coast. The onboard commentary focuses on the achievements, difficulties and failures of building the railway itself, hailed as a marvellous feat of engineering, particularly for its … [Read more...] about Take a train back into history