Experiences
First taste of summer at Ruffins Bay
In November we felt an urgent need for sea, sand and relaxation. It was high time we spent a weekend at the beach.
Living, breathing history in Hokianga
Nature's on a grand scale in the Hokianga, from Omapere’s sand bank to giant kauri
Baths, babies, bikes and brothers in Rotorua
When family duty calls, it’s time to load up the car and spend a weekend lounging by a lake
Cape to cove
It’s 150 years since Waipu was settled by Gaelic-speaking Scots but their legacy is still larger than life in the small Bream Bay town
Sweet and natural in Kerikeri
An eco cottage in a subtropical garden brings welcome relief after a tour of local sweet producers
Celebrating the arts in Nelson
The Nelson Arts Festival is a chance to kick the winter blues firmly out the door and celebrate our wonderful blend of art, culture and events
A paddle down the Whanganui River
A leisurely river trip by Canadian canoe is a pleasant introduction to white water
Biking the Ohakune Old Coach Road
A Ruapehu cycling and walking track offers a lesson in New Zealand rail history
Mt Ruapehu in spring
There's nothing like a trip to the mountain once winter's over and there's still fresh snow on the slopes
One night in the Makakahi Valley
Is there a more peaceful place on Earth than a farm cottage near Raetihi?
Snow, ice and stars in the Mackenzie Country
Wedding parties, stargazers and ski teams flock to Lake Tekapo but it’s not hard to find solitude here
Finding fine fare in Geraldine
A quick stop in the South Canterbury farming town shows why local producers have put the town on the food map
Taupo spa treatment soothes post-run muscle aches
A soak in a hot mineral pool and spa treatment is the perfect follow-up to a half marathon
Five go hiking in Abel Tasman
A winter walk through Abel Tasman National Park includes icy river crossings, a game of catch with a friendly weka and an impromptu ukulele concert
Mount Cook by helicopter
A trip on to the Tasman Glacier shows a different side of our highest mountain
Take two days in Christchurch
Sara Goessi explores Canterbury’s largest city on foot and by tram
Epicurean escape in Tairua
Forty years after our grandmother died, we booked a bach on the Coromandel and spent a weekend recreating her recipes
Warmup: winter at the beach
The storm was exactly what we'd hoped for: wild wintry weather as the perfect backdrop to snuggle up in a cosy bach on the west coast.
Rainy day adventures in Rotorua
Rotorua in May means mountain bike trails through forests, lounging in hot pools and watching the lions being fed.
Wine and cheese in Napier
A hot pool, a log fire, delicious local cheeses – what more could you ask for from a winter sojourn in Hawke's Bay?
Scandrett Bay: Trelise Cooper’s childhood bach
Trelise Cooper talks about carefree days at her family’s north Auckland bach
Mahurangi Harbour history tour
A steamer was once your only option for getting to Scott's Landing. These days it's a short drive from Warkworth.
Growing exotic fruit in Little Huia
Rosalind Le Bas Walker meets some of the locals in Little Huia, on the Manukau Harbour.
Perfect pet-friendly getaways
Leaving your precious pooch behind – tail between his legs – can take the thrill out of your weekend escape. So take your canine companion with you, to one of the hundreds of pet-friendly baches on Bookabach.
Wineries in winter
Late autumn's the perfect time for a wine tour, when vineyards are at their most picturesque.
Kawhia: go west in winter
Kawhia draws the crowds in summer but in winter you might find you have the beach to yourself.
Biking the 42 Traverse in thermal Tokaanu
Peter and Tiki do the 42 traverse - one of NZ's finest mountain bike rides - and stay in the Tokaanu post office.
Raglan - the world´s longest left hand ride
The lively West Coast town of Ragan is a great spot for live music and a latte, but it is most famous for its surf of course!
Historic baches on Rangitoto Island
The Rangitoto Island Historic Conservation Trust works to restore the island's historic baches
Otaki Beach family getaway
I have a sneaking suspicion that the Kapiti Coast town of Otaki has a deep-seated grudge against my family!
Putting the Tiki in Tikitapu
A "Tri-my-sport" triathlon sounded like a cheery offer; positive, just give it a go, that kind of thing. Yet as I stood in the morning chill at the wind-ruffled edge of Lake Tikitapu, I realised it was the kind of invitation one should be wary of, like "smell this" or "pull my finger."
Northland: where the locals are a bit of a Dagg
From the sophistication of its pretty East Coast villages to the ancient kauri forests and untouched dunes of the wild West Coast, temperate Northland is a region of contrasting scenery and unassuming locals always ready for a chat.
Old wooden boats steal the show on Lake Rotoiti
All the Rotoiti women have, at some stage, lost their men to an old girl of the sea.
