New Zealand What to Expect

As New Zealand cities go, it is quite modern. There is a distinct contrast with other 'burbs of Auckland, the money is conspicuous (less dirty kids with no shoes). Compared to other places around the world though, a quiet back water. Not as good as its inhabitants believe.

The bottom of the South Island. On a clear day you can see the South pole from here. Just kidding. But it is where winter comes from. Go for a nice walk and get your photo taken with a very busy signpost.

Te Mata is a great place. Around here you will find a place called Magic Mountain, also there is Te Mata Peak (I think). There are horse treks available as well as farm stays. The locals have a fairly decent club there (as in bar / fishing / hunting etc). They are known to have some cracker gigs on occasion. If you get some altitude there you can view the sunset over three harbours and two mountains, very special, if you are super lucky you can watch the sun flash green on its way out... not so much a flash, more a fade through Red, Gold, and Green. I kid you not, it's a natural/scientific thing to do with the atmosphere.

If you're in Wellington there's a few places you really must see. The Aro Cafe is one such place, that not only serves excellent coffee, but has groovy magazines, fantastic food (including kick ass yoyos) and an atmosphere that's hard to duplicate.
Another place is the bucket tree at the top of the cable car at the start of the Botanical Gardens. It's a giant tree - climb it and sit on top of it to marvel at Wellington. Brilliant spot to have a picknik, and completely safe!
Lastly, there this fantastic children's bookshop in Lyall Bay. It's small, it's dinky and it's ideal to do an afternoon's browsing in it.

The 'pancake rocks' are a must see if you are on the West Coast of the South island. The kids loved the blow holes. Makes for some great photos if you are there in good weather. In my opinion, the most beautiful scenery in New Zealand is in this area, a stunning mixture of sub-tropical rainforest, mountains, rivers and beaches.

The car ferry will save a long drive.

Dont just stop at the car park to see the seals, walk the whole peninsular. Depending on the tide, walk along the beach and back over the headland, or the other way round. Or be different, park at the southern end of the walk, its much quieter.

Always have a bullet proof vest and a loaded firearm with you

If you want to go to Christchurch, you should go to Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. That will help you see what is like to visit Antarctica.

the most amazing bay with the most amazing beach around the corner (omaha). omaha would b mi favourite beach in nz. white sand. lovely estuary. although doesnt hav much to do. there is a nyc bay u can walk to from the southern end of the beach. and u will find pink sand there

The car ferry will save a long drive.

Dont just stop at the car park to see the seals, walk the whole peninsular. Depending on the tide, walk along the beach and back over the headland, or the other way round. Or be different, park at the southern end of the walk, its much quieter.

Always have a bullet proof vest and a loaded firearm with you

If you want to go to Christchurch, you should go to Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. That will help you see what is like to visit Antarctica.

the most amazing bay with the most amazing beach around the corner (omaha). omaha would b mi favourite beach in nz. white sand. lovely estuary. although doesnt hav much to do. there is a nyc bay u can walk to from the southern end of the beach. and u will find pink sand there

Go to the Blue Ice Cafe, drink lots of whatever you drink eat the great food then hop in a chopper do the overland Glacier tour then get out go to the info centre get tickets for a horse ride and do the sunset beach tour. Than stay at the YHA or any of the other great venues. Rafting is also a hit you can fly into the alps get dropped off and do anything from 1-3 day tours.

Avoid the new climbing wall and talk to the locals because they know where to go, make sure you meet a guy called Scumbag aka Greg Brown and you will be the luckiest person in the world.

Also the best things are 30km before hand in HARI HARI because thats where the Wildside backpackers is get the hut out the back and stay with Dan and Kath for as long as you want, suggested minimum is a month.

Whakatane is in the center of the Bay of Plenty region and renown for its sunshine, excellent beaches, many surrounding orchards ( fresh fruit and veges are easy to come by) and the charter fishing fleet. There are big game boats targeting the tuna and marlin during the summer, not to mention huge white island kingfish with lots of other stuff in between. Rotorua and the hot springs are just down the road as well as the lakes and rivers which are full of trout.

Te Araroa is the nearest town to the East Cape Lighthouse (only 26 km down a metal road). There are two shops to buy stuff at, there is a sports club, a rugby field, a post office, a petrol station and a pub/hotel. Te Araron has one of the oldest and possible largest Pohutukawa tree living there next to the school and marae. There is a Manuku Honey factory down the road which sells delicious stuff. Te Araroa is a magical place because you are literally so far from Gisborne and Opotiki (the largest cities) that one really notices how clean the air is.

Visit the fabulous Chow restaurant for the two for one meal on Monday night. $12.00 lunch menu. Go to Yoga for life to stretch out your aches and pains and learn effective breathing techniques. Have a chinese massage in Cuba street. Excellent foot reflexology there too. Go to Kaffee Eis for a divine chocolate ice-cream and look at the beautiful Oriental Bay Harbour. Get an amazing hair cut at Hair by the Sea in Petone and look at the magnificent view out the window while your at it.

at new years- take a good sturdy pair of shoes that you don't mind getting sand in, but will protect you from glass. there's usually a liqour bn on too, so buy your own and bring it up, then stay somewhere and drink BEFORE you go out.