Make a move…

My colleague Andy has found out the latest research that prove it's not just us that big-up New Zealand!

The ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ is internationally renowned as a site of extraordinary beauty and home to friendly locals, and it looks like the British are catching on. In a recent survey of worldwide British ex-pats, New Zealand came out as the best destination for any prospective movers.

Leaving the M25 for uncluttered coastal roads, and swapping endless miserable winters for t-shirts all year round (let's assume they've moved to the North Island), British émigrés in New Zealand enjoy the beautiful scenery and the charming hospitality of Kiwis all year round. If you want to see what all the fuss is about or maybe scout for your next home the answer is simple - plan your own trip to this amazing country. Enjoy driving the Pacific Coast Highway, chilling out in the Bay of Islands or indulge in a relaxing drink in Auckland’s glorious harbour.

Posted on June 19, 2009 in Current Affairs , local life | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this

Absolutely Wizard!

In the recent Queen's Honours List one of New Zealand's most eccentric characters, The Wizard was awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community. These 'services' are hardly typical including casting spells for his province's rugby team (important), performing rain dances (useful) and entertaining visitors to Christchurch with elaborate orations in the main square (er, most entertaining).

The Wizard, which is his legal name by the way, was for many years an iconic tourist attraction in Christchurch's Catherdral Square where he used to appear daily as a soap box orator. Dressed in a wizard's robe and hat he would mount his step ladder in the middle of the square and proffer his views on life, politics and, well, just about everything else to all who would care to listen (and indeed those who did not).

Back on my first visit to Christchurch I happened across one of these public orations and joined an amused group of onlookers as The Wizard enlightened us on topics we didn't realise we didn't know. It was totally random, but quite entertaining and as with most 'street performance' you witness as a tourist, it was totally compelling.

Though now he is pretty much retired, it would seem that he makes occasional appearances in Christchurch during the summer months (theirs not ours), so listen out for him on a sunny day as you stroll through Cathedral Square.

Posted on June 5, 2009 in Current Affairs , local life | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this

Breakfast New Zealand style

Following my gym visit this morning, I decided to reward myself with a relaxing breakie in a local cafe - one large latte and a very tasty bacon and egg sandwich later, I started to think another gym visit was in order, but I also began to reminise about the pleasure of breakfasting on holiday and specifically, on holiday in New Zealand!

Nothing makes me feel like I'm on holiday more than being able to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, especially when the locale is somewhat more inspiring than the average UK high street. The Viaduct Harbour in Auckland for one, with its array of cafes and restaurants and cosmopolitan atmosphere, conjurs up wonderfully indulgent memories as do thoughts of watching the morning sun wash over Mecury Bay in Whitianga on the Coromandel. Sun rise and breakfast al fresco are a great combination and one of the many benefits of travelling the east coast of New Zealand.

From Whakatane to Gisborne to Napier, Nelson to Kaikoura to Christchurch, where the River Avon makes a charming substitute for the ocean views, hot cakes (the most delectable pancakes covered in fruits and cream freche and honey/maple syrup and all other delicious things) and a flat white are my recommendation for enjoying your kiwi breakfast to the full!

Check out this blog for a great hot cake recipe.

Posted on May 29, 2009 in Food and Drink | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this

Air New Zealand uncovered!

You may recall remember my 'Heads Up' blog last September - the one about bald-headed advertising no less, whereby Air New Zealand found a novel way of utilising 'available' space to promote their brand to those queueing up at airport check-ins. Well, in terms of originality, they've done it again with a great new and rather audacious television advert currently airing in New Zealand.

Featuring a number of Air New Zealand staff wearing nothing more than body paint (uniform colours, naturally) and a smile, the ad has been created to promote the airlines fares and their 'no hidden extras' policy, such as extra fees for things like in-flight drinks or checking in.

Thanks to the wonders of online social networking you too can share in the delights of this 'revealing' new commercial. The accompanying music is a track by New Zealand singer Gin Wigmore entitled “Under my skin”.

Posted on May 14, 2009 in Current Affairs , Television , Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this

Impressions of Te Papa

For those visiting Wellington, Te Papa the national museum is most definitely worth a morning or afternoon of your time or go crazy and spend the whole day.

It really is a superlative museum and conveys the story of the 'Aotearoa' - its historical influences and the natural forces that shape the country - through a series of interactive experiences over five floors. It also looks pretty funky and is nicely situated on the waterfront, so there's pleny of scope to add n some cafe culture too!

And as an added bonus, until the 17 May Te Papa is hosting the largest collection of Impressionist paintings ever to come to New Zealand allowing visitors to enjoy over 55 paintings, which are part of a greater world heritage. Works on dipslay include Claude Monet’s Water Lily, Haystacks, and Rouen Cathedral series, alongside masterpieces by Renoir, Cézanne, Degas, and others.

Posted on May 1, 2009 in Art , Culture | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this

Going Underground

Following in the tradition of the Channel Tunnel that connects England with France, and the Seikan Tunnel, which connects the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido, New Zealand's two main islands are soon to be connected by an undersea tunnel. Plans are afoot to engineer a underground train link from the outskirts of Wellington on the North Island to the coastal town of Rarangi on the South Island.

Currently access between the North and South islands is across the Cook Strait by ferry. At its narrowest point the two islands are only 23km apart, but the ferry weaves a 70km path between Wellington Harbour and Picton via the Marlborough Sounds. The 3hr crossing can be rough across open water which is perhaps the trade-off for the highly enjoyable cruise through the picturesque Sounds.

However, this new tunnel, which is scheduled to open in 2015, will provide a high speed link between Wellington and Christchurch, New Zealand's second and third largest cities reducing travelling times by several hours.

It's sound plausible to me, I mean, the Channel Tunnel seemed like a pretty wacky idea when it was first suggested...but for now, across the water as opposed to under the water, remains the best link between North and South Islands. Happy 1st April.

Posted on April 1, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this

Having a rail of a time!

When it comes to getting around New Zealand, my preference is for driving my own vehicle. I like the total freedom this affords and I thoroughly enjoy cruising quiet and scenic roads. There is also something to be said for being able to personalise the glovebox and seatpockets with CD's, maps, drinks and snacks and, as the journey progresses, discarding various items of clothing and a shoe or two on the backseat... just in case!

Yet, hiring your own vehicle does not preclude all other forms of transport, which can make a pleasant change to driving. The fact that New Zealand is split into two main islands rather enforces this idea since we don't yet hire out amhibious vehicles! The natural break in driving as you hop on the ferry across the Cook Strait also allows the perfect opportunity to experience a small portion of NZ by rail - route dependent, of course.

The TranzCoastal runs daily from Picton to Christchurch (and vice versa) via Kaikoura. Conveniently it is timed to fit in with the InterIslander ferry crossing - so much so that you don't even have to collect you luggage from the ferry before boarding the train - it's done automatically (well, probably by human hand, but you know what I mean). All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride as you glide past the Kaikoura Ranges to one side and the Pacific Ocean to the other. You can break the journey in Kaikoura for a night or two to include a whale watch excursion before continuing to Christchurch. Here, you can pick up another car or defer your driving adventure a while longer taking the spectacular TranzAlpine over Arthurs Pass to Greymouth. Perfect!

Rail travel is not the fastest mode of transport in NZ, but, for the leisurely traveller, its comfortable and fun and as ever, the views are spectacular. And you needn't worry about photographs being marred by glass reflections, since the viewing car has glass-less windows - ideal for photographers... 

Posted on March 27, 2009 in Travel | Permalink | Comments (0) | E-mail this