Kaitaia is a town that is close to Cape Reinga.

Kai means food and Taia means oil.

Kaitaia has many tourist attractions, like the far north regional museum, the ninety mile beach and the sand dunes, and the Cape Reinga walkway.

Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, with a population of about 1 million.

It has the Southern Hemisphere's tallest structure and it's called the Sky Tower.

The most popular newspaper, The New Zealand Herald, is printed here.

Rotorua

This city has lots of Maori people in it and lots of steaming natural pools.

These natural pools come from hot springs.

Then there's the Skyline Skyrides, with lots of activities and fun games to keep the whole family excited. There is also Wai-O-Tapu, a massive collection of bubbling hot mud pools and geysers.

Wellington

This city is the capital city of New Zealand, and also holds the Beehive, New Zealand's parliament building, although there are no bees in there, there's lots of insects there to suck all the money out of you in the form of tax.

Christchurch

This place is freezing cold!

There are also some ski fields in this area if you're interested. Other tourist attractions include the Canterbury museum, botanical gardens, Cathedral Square, and the arts centre.

Also check out the Sumner beach. Besides stunning views, there are lots of restaurants nearby to fill you up.

Invercargill

Not much things to see here, although you could try out one of those delicious Bluff oysters.

Some tourist attractions are the Stewart Island flights, Venture Southland, and the Invercargill brewery.

Queenstown

It's even colder out here!

The Skyline Skyrides won't keep you interested for long.

Some other things to keep you interested in Queenstown are the Cardrona Adventure Park, Frogz white water sledging, and the Kawarau jet.

Nelson

Not much to see and do here, but you can still ride the boats to some of the area's more remote bays, islands and beaches. I recommend you to visit the Abel Tasman National Park and walk the Abel Tasman Walkway.

Big Apple Hostel, New York City, USA

Conveniently located just off Times Square in Manhattan, its location really needs no more explanation. The Big Apple Hostel provides dorm rooms as well as private rooms with shared bathing facilities and is within walking distance of numerous Broadway Theaters, The Empire State Building, Central Park, and The Rockefeller Center. Kitchen facilities, a common room, and backyard barbeque area are provided and laundry services can also be arranged. A wonderful atmosphere is provided from both travelers and the fantastic management which is at your service day and night. Rates are reasonable and start at $39US.

Hostal Miralva, Madrid, Spain

Located in the heart of Madrid on C/ Valverde, a short walk from Gran Via, Hostal Miralva is a quaint little hostel which has recently been refurbished. A choice of shared and private rooms is available with the same choice being available for bathroom amenities. All rooms provide a safe, wash basin, and television. It is within walking distance of most of the important Plazas including Plaza Mayor and Plaza de Cibeles. The hostel is family run and they are extremely welcoming and very helpful. If you are looking for peace and quiet however, this may not be the place for you as restaurants located in the vicinity provide a lot of noise into the wee small hours. Prices for Hostal Miralva start at around 20 Euros for shared rooms and increase to around 30 Euros for a private.

Yellow House, Rome, Italy

Although situated at Via Argonauti 14, a little further out of the center city than other hostels, Yellow House is a 1 minute walk from the Rome underground Metro system and so easy access to all attractions is not hard. On arrival, you may think you are staying in the ghetto for all the graffiti around and it can be very hard to find once off the Metro. But fear not, it is a safe neighborhood and the graffiti is only due to the mass of students living in the area which coincidently provides a pretty good night life. The staff are young, ex-travelers who have stayed on to run the place for the owner and they provide a very real and comprehensive list of things for you to do in Rome. A choice of shared and private rooms is available and shared bathrooms are your only option. Breakfast is provided and a safe is available for important documents. Prices are cheap, starting at around 22 Euros. So if you're looking for something a little different, quirky, and with a great atmosphere, this is the place for you.

Three Little Pigs Hostel, Berlin, Germany

A former hospital building in the heart of Berlin is just the place for a fantastic, pink painted, hostel. Located right beside Potsdamer Platz at Stresemannstraße 66, the Three Little Pigs gives you access to possibly the best area in the German capital, within walking distance of the Holocaust Memorial, The Berlin Wall, and the Brandonburg Gate. As well as its own bar for socializing with other travelers, the Three Little Pigs provides both shared and private rooms, shared bathrooms, kitchen facilities, buffet breakfast, and internet access. Safes are located in most rooms and the staff are busy, but welcoming and helpful. Bike hire and free city tours are also available. Prices range from 13 Euros to around 35 Euros and are worth every cent. So if you're not freaked out by sleeping in an eerie but refurbished old hospital, this is definitely for you.

Hotel Namaskar, Delhi, India

Although not technically speaking a hostel, Hotel Namaskar provides a once in a lifetime experience for all budget travelers. Situated in the heart of Old Delhi and in the chaos of Paharganj, Hotel Namaskar is an experience to savour. Rooms are small, cell like, concrete blocks but offer a character second to none. A number of rooms don't have windows and air conditioning is non-existent. Most rooms have their own bathroom (squatter toilets and a bucket for washing), however some rooms do share and provide a Euro toilet and shower. A safe is located at the hotel foyer along with bottled water, toilet paper, and some food items for sale. The service provided by the staff is very welcoming. They will go out of their way for you. Little, quaint balconies and a wonderful view from the roof are features unique to Hotel Namaskar as is the fantastic, local coffee shop at its front door. Prices start at around a measly 600 rupees.

D & D Inn, Bangkok, Thailand

Right in the budget, young people, tourist mecca, that is Kao San Road, sits the D & D Inn. Not the most budget of the hostels you will find on this chaotic street, it provides more of a hotel feel than a hostel feel with the exception of the steady mass of 20 something's moving through its doors. A multi storied building; you will find shared or private rooms, shared and private bathrooms, as well as a rooftop swimming pool, massage facilities, a/c, and internet access. What more could you ask for? Right downstairs on the street is your link to anywhere in the city but you might spend a couple of days lapping up the shopping on Kao San first. Prices start at around 600 baht and is well worth your dosh.

Backpacker Cozy Corner Guesthouse, Singapore

Right in Singapore's bustling heart at 490 North Bridge Road, and on the second floor, you will find Backpacker Cozy Corner Guesthouse. Giving you shared and private room options, the hostel also provides free internet, laundry services, and a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. As well as great service the Backpacker Cozy Corner Guesthouse is a short distance from some of Singapore's best spots including Orchard Place for your shopping fix, Raffles Hotel for a rather expensive Singapore Sling, and a range of inexpensive street restaurants which are fantastic. Prices start very reasonable at around 28 Singapore Dollars. A great place to stay for its location and affordability.

Bumbles Backpackers, Queenstown, New Zealand

Only a 300m walk from downtown Queenstown on Cnr of Lake Esplanade & Brunswick Sts, Bumbles Backpackers provides travelers with a choice of dorm and private rooms, communal bathrooms, kitchen, and outdoor living areas, and sensational panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range. The managers are very welcoming and helpful and will provide you with information on a mass of tourist adventures including skiing, bungy jumping, jet boating, as well as Queentown's fantastic music and nightlife. Stay at Bumbles for an affordable $28NZ.

If you are approaching that early mid life crisis that most intelligent people have, then right about now you are likely to be considering your options. Should I stay or should I go? Should I try a different job or even more daring, a career change. Or do you fall into the trap that reads - if I'm going to make a change - it might as well be a big one. Well - don't do it. Stay where you are - the grass is no greener - trust me.

I fell for it. I uprooted my family and abandoned my second career almost entirely. I fell for the clean green, outdoor image of New Zealand in exchange for my urban stereotype existence working somewhere near Hemel Hempstead in England. I swapped my hour long commute for an hour long commute in better countryside. I took a significant drop in wages to find that the cost of living here is much, much higher than in England. The work culture is laid back and the scenery is fantastic - until it rains. Then you and your bored children sit inside and get on each others nerves until the electric goes off.

Mortgage rates are over ten percent and rising. Savings companies and financial institutions are going bust. It's also election year - so the usual war of words and false promises is well under way. Summer is over and the storms and floods are imminent. Alcohol and substance abuse is rife - but hey, what else is there to do once you've watched the second repeat of the Bill on your standard Sky package?

So why did I come?

Clever advertising really. I read the tourist books, I Googled the house prices and I read the blogs. I went to the Expo's and fell for the lifestyle image and actually believed that there was little or no crime. Clearly the Trades Description Act is not an international document. Many things you read about New Zealand are blatantly untrue. Check out the immigration statistics for New Zealand. Tens of thousands of Kiwis are leaving for Australia every year. Better pay, better conditions. New Zealand employers are still under the impression that they are doing you a favour by giving you a job. Benefits - you don't have to wear a tie - that's about it.

Every night I look longingly at the deck outside my house and wish I could sit out in the evening without being bitten by mossies. My house has lost ten per cent of its value in less than a year - but my rates are going up, so is fuel, so is food.

Just another winging POM?

Not a chance - the locals beat you hands down in the complaining stakes. They don't have much news, so they spend their spare time writing to local papers who are edited by people who couldn't find work in advanced countries. Anything you do in the public eye will bring criticism, mostly uninformed drivel, and it will be very personal.

What about the recession?

It's not just coming, it's already here. If you have cash to buy a house or piece of land outright then you are laughing as it will go back up in a couple of years. If you need a mortgage - don't come. In fact if you are planning on living anywhere remote or in the bigger cities then just wait for a year or so.

See you soon.

Whangara has a long Maori history and is now most famous for being the setting of the book and film The Whale Rider.

The first people to live in this region came as a migration from Eastern Polynesia about seven hundred years ago. In legend Paikea travelled to New Zealand on the back of a whale, this is commemorated by a carving on the meeting house in Whangara.

Captain Cook landed nearby Whangara in 1769 where contact between Maori and Europeans first began.

The Te Tairawhiti (Eastland) region has the highest proportion of Maoris in New Zealand. Maori is commonly spoken in this area. Many famous Maori leaders artists and sportsmen come from the region. Witi Lhimaera the author of Whale Rider is among them.

New Zealand's breathtaking environment also serves as a nurturing ground for thousands of her children who co-exist calmly. New Zealanders, as the most dominant group of her children, have adopted many of her magnificent values in her honor, and in turn, we are the ones who define her in the context of the world. One of these values is respect. New Zealand's strength as a nation is built from a belief in the importance of respect, whether it is respect for the environment, respect for others or self-respect. We actively fight for the environment, such as abiding to the Kyoto Protocol and preventing nuclear ships, against all the giants that bully us. Despite suffering the consequences of their negligence, like global warming and the hole in the ozone layer, we do not see it as a sign that we should give up simply because it has not benefited us. Instead, we have faith and work towards what is right with the view that one day, through perseverance, we can repair our motherland. Politically, we stood up for our beliefs in our decision to stay out of the war against Iraq, facing the United States with confidence. Because New Zealand is geographically isolated, we know that self-reliance must be developed for a country to thrive. Intervention by another country, and ultimately violence, will not improve Iraqi lives. As a world citizen who sought justice, New Zealand defended this view at the cost of the alliance with the United States and Australia, but revealed such admirable strength in character that further epitomises New Zealand's virtuous behaviour.

By aiding us with her provision of fertile grasslands, she has taught us to be industrious and self-dependent against all odds. Without the aid of corporate giants and specialists, New Zealanders have created a successful economy, based not upon the exploitation of money, but founded by hard work and kiwi ingenuity. We do not complain when obstacles block our progress, but boldly face the problem and solve it with whatever is at our disposal. For example, New Zealander Bill Gallagher invented the simple concept of an electric fence while defending against a horse, and it has since been an invaluable resource to farming. More recently, TimeZoneOne, a successful Christchurch business, has broken time constraints by making use of web conferencing technology and time differences between countries to produce service at twice the speed. These inventions are based upon the focus on practicality and innovation. They stem from the belief that we must make the most out of what is offered to us to improve our lives, not complain and leave it to others to improve.

In addition, New Zealand's capability to deal with change quickly and willingly is impressive, proven by new immigrants bringing their culture into New Zealand. When they are on the plane, admiring their new home, they may perhaps say, “You are beautiful, New Zealand”. It would not only be because of her physical beauty, but also her reputation as a multicultural country that is able to assimilate qualities of all cultures with her core values to create a harmonious society. This is possible because her core values of hard work, respect and acceptance are all universal ideals that people are comfortable with adopting. Any difficulties that arise with cultural differences can be resolved if these values are present, and innovative thinking means that New Zealand will openly accept new ways of doing things. She is not obstinate; she is beautiful at heart, and this is what makes her a paradise for her children.

She has once been misunderstood as the rugby nation whose only specialty is producing more sheep than people. Now, others begin see that she is not two-dimensional; globalisation has helped New Zealand prove her worth as a responsible resident of the world. Kiwi ingenuity and perseverance has made its mark through the likes of Peter Jackson, putting New Zealand on the map, and the moral responsibility of our decisions has stunned some of the giants of the world. This benevolent, fertile motherland is undoubtedly proud of her children. In return, we have ethically moulded her into a first-class citizen of the world. This is our national identity.

There is so much to do in New Zealand, from scuba diving at the bottom of the ocean to climbing mountains thousands of feet in the air, there are activities for everyone.

You can surf the perfect waves all the way onto the fine, warm sand of the 3,200 miles of coastline. Dive the reefs to see the colorful tropical fish. You can fish for trout in the rivers or in the many lakes. Watch the world famous yacht race, the America's cup, held every three years. Or even watch the annual river regatta. Canoe down the beautiful rivers or just relax on the beach. New Zealand has many relaxing aquatic activities and exciting water sports (Countries of the World: New Zealand, 36).

In addition to the numerous water activities New Zealand has many things to do on land. You can ski down the beautiful snow capped mountains, or go on an ATV or horse trek through them. For the outdoorsmen you can go camping in the lush forests and hike on trails all over the island. Mountain climbing and caving are great for the more extreme sportsmen. You can also go on a flight seeing tour over the rolling hills and lush forests (Countries of the World: New Zealand, 36).

There are also many concerts and performances that take place every month all across the island (100% Pure New Zealand).

There are many national holidays that everyone can enjoy. One of them is AZNAC day, American and New Zealand Armed Corps day where the Army, Navy, and Air Force have competitions and show off their drills. Everyone is invited to come to the celebration. Another fun holiday is the Highland Games. On this day the athletes from all across the island compete in many events from wood chopping to marathons (Countries of the World: New Zealand, 39).

In addition to being a great place for family fun there is a huge range of plants and animals on the island. Most of the animals aren't native to the island but they contribute to the diversity of the land. The native animals are two species of bats and some species of birds including the kiwi bird - a small, round, bird with a long beak - the takahe - a colorful, blue and green bird - and the weka - a small brown striped bird. All of these birds are flightless and most of the birds are highly endangered (Jhonston, 353).

The animals that settlers brought to the island include deer, rabbit, pigs, cattle, sheep, possums, and wallabies (Jhonston, 354).

There are many plants on the island, too. The forests are mostly made of evergreens and tree ferns. Volcanoes destroyed most of the forests on the north island a very long time ago and now much of the land is covered with shrubs such as the manuka. Most of the trees destroyed were Kauri trees and most of the remaining Kauris were cut down by settlers in later years (Jhonston, 353).

New Zealand has a perfect climate all year round. In the summer the temperature is between 65 and 85 degrees and in the winter it is between 35 and 55 degrees. On the west coast of the island there is over 100 inches of rainfall per year. On the east coast they receive less than 20 inches every year (Jhonston, 355).

Because New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere the winter months are in June and July and the summer months are December and January (Jhonston, 355).

There is a great range of geographic areas, from snow-capped mountains to green lowlands; beaches and lakes to huge waterfalls (Jhonston, 351)

The north island has one of the highest peaks in New Zealand, Mt. Ruapehu at 9,177 feet. One of the areas of the north island is the Eastern Hills where ranchers graze their sheep and cows and farmers grow fruits and vegetables. Another region of the island is the Volcanic and Western Hills country. This covers the south-west area of the island and is made mostly volcanoes and volcanic rock (Jhonston, 350)

A second region of the island is the Northern Peninsulas and Wakito Basin. This makes up most of the north island and is mostly forests, lowlands, orchards, long beaches and undeveloped hills. There are many lakes all over the islands that are full of salmon and trout. The largest lake is Lake Taupo on the north island and it is 234 square miles and famous for the fishing (Jhonston, 351).

On the south island there are many regions, too. Mountains run from the Cook Straight which separates the north and south islands all the way down to the southern tip. Between the west coast and the mountain range are the Canterbury Plains, a large flat area stretching most of the way along the island. The west coast is many large beaches and the east coast is covered with natural inlets and coves. Many waterfalls and geysers are scattered around the island. The highest peak on this island is 12,349 foot Mt. Cook. The mountains are covered with glaciers and snow (Jhonston, 352).

New Zealand has a rich history. The natives, the Maoris, lived in villages called Pas with wooden houses. The villages had platforms and walls to protect from enemy tribes and the get an edge in combat (Higham, 33).

They believed that the cause of sickness was evil spirits and a healer would cleanse people of the spirits to cure a sickness (Higham, 31).

The Maoris made intricate woodcarvings and decorative patters (Higham, 32).

In 600 A.D Polynesians settled the island and in 1790 Europeans used the island to hunt seals and whales. After the settlers came diseases and conflict caused the numbers of the Maori to fall (Higham, 34).

New Zealand is a great place where everyone is treated fairly and accepted warmly. The government is a constitutional monarchy with a legislature of 120 people, a prime minister and his cabinet. The capital of New Zealand is Wellington. The people of New Zealand believe in equal rights and everyone is treated fairly. There are many churches there including the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church (Jhonston, 354).

Today most people speak English, the Maori still carve beautiful patterns and everyone lives in peace. They have one of the world's highest standards of living. There is an excellent school system and most people are well-educated. 75% of the people there are European and 99% of people are literate. They use rivers for hydroelectric power and it provides 75% of the power to the island. Farmers and ranchers provide enough food to feed millions of people. Coal, gold, iron, limestone and natural gas are mined and drilled for on the islands. They produce billions of feet of boards every year, enough for thousands of homes (Jhonston, 353).

New Zealand is a great, fun, pleasant place to visit. The people are friendly, the food is good and there is plenty to do. So, are you on your way yet?

As you're sitting roasting chestnuts on an open fire, after Jack Frost nipped your nose so it's red like Rudolf's, have you ever wondered what Christmas is like for people at the opposite side of the globe? Have you considered that when Santa comes to the southern hemisphere it's summer? In fact he would already have been to New Zealand wearing his shorts and jandles (flip-flops). We're a day ahead of the rest of the world in terms of time. So when you in the northern hemisphere are having Christmas, it's Boxing Day here and we're sunning ourselves on the beach. On Christmas day, Santa would have had his work cut out trying to figure out how to find places like Hokitika, Paraparaumu, Papatoetoe, (pronounced Papa-too-ee-too-ee) Whakapapa (pronounced Fukapapa) Putaruru and Otorohanga.

And there'll not have been milk and cookies left for the old rotund one, because nobody will have been home. New Zealanders aka Kiwis will be found at campgrounds and baches (cabins) by the beach. In fact Santa has been known to arrive by jet boat or helicopter to deliver the kiddies their toys and lollies (candy). Christmas is the summer holiday season for Kiwis when they disappear for a three to four week break to the sea or the mountains. Their tents and caravans decorated with tinsel, will give a vague indication that it's Christmas time.

Christmas Food

Forget about roast turkey with Martha Stewart's special stuffing. No mate, steak on the barbie and plenty of salads, that's the way we do it. Some will treat themselves to cold chicken or turkey with a touch of sand to add to the texture if they're camping on the beach. As for dessert, no Kiwi Christmas is complete without Pavlova, a dessert made of fluffy baked meringue filled with whipped cream and topped with berries. The Aussies like to lay claim to its origins, named for Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova who danced in Australia a long time ago, but Kiwis are adamant that Pavlova originated in New Zealand. If you're not into Pavlova, there's always the old stodgy Christmas fruitcake pudding, a throwback from British colonial times. A sixpence coin used to be put in it for the lucky recipient to find in his/her serving.

The Kiwi Christmas Tree

New Zealand has a spectacular native Christmas tree that shows off bright red blossoms in December. The Maoris call it Pohutukawa. Legend has it that when the Pohutukawa blooms before Christmas, we're in for a long, hot summer. We don't do blizzards and snow in December - so as the saying goes, we have “no worries, mate.”

This park is also home to the oldest Manuka tree and the largest Pohutukawa tree in Auckland and from this garden, you can see the city wharf, the railroad in and out of Auckland, Judge's Bay, Parnell Baths and across the harbour towards Devonport. It is very centrally located. To see the best blooms it is recommended that you visit from October to April. It is very beautiful at this time of year and admittance is free.

There are also many photo opportunities to be had here and several walkways to explore and enjoy. The roses are many and varied with a range of older varieties as well as new ones.

Its eruptions over the years have caused Explosions of ash and dangerous lava flows. Even with this risk many tourists visit the volcano every year. It also commands the interest of many scientists and volcanologists.

Attempts where made to mine sulphur from the island in the mid 1880s, 1898-1901 and 1913-1914. The last attempt ended after part of the western crater rim collapsed which caused a lahar that killed all 10 workers.

A huge section of the western crater rim had fallen away into the crator. It was estimated about 2 million tonnes of debris. Scientists came to the conclusion after that the section of the cliff had been weakened by chemical corrosion and from being riddled with steam vents. It had collapsed, possibly from a small earthquake, and fallen into the crater lake. Some thermal vents where blocked for a period of time and the pressure built up.

When they finally broke free, and they changed the mass of mud in a huge boiling mud flow,which swept towards the sea, carrying boulders and rocks with it. None of the 10 workers where ever found. It is believed that the tragedy happened in the night, leaving the miners no chance to leave, as they were overwhelmed by the torrent of mud. The miners where probably buried under several meters of rock or carried by the torrent of mud and rock, over Troups head in the sea some 50 meters below.

A few years later in 1923 another ming attempt was made but this time they built their huts on a flat part of the island near a Gannet colony. Each day that they worked, they would lower their boats from a gantry and then row across to the mining factory in Crater Bay. Eventually, mining ended in 1934 because of the poor content of the minerals in the fertilizer they were making. You can still see the Mine as they left it, but it has been corroded from the gases of White Island.

It's not all a bed of roses, you know. It's expensive to live and expensive to be unhealthy. Wages are low and benefits are few and far between anywhere outside the largest cities. Standards of Health and Safety are low in general, with a few bizarre areas where the safety police have gone overboard. You can drink and drive your power boat, and let fifteen year olds drive themselves to school.

You can walk on tracks no wider than your arm on the edge of crumbling cliffs and throw yourselves off buildings and bridges - but don't even think about having an open swimming pool in case Johnny from the next road decides he wants to take an uninvited dip. Food hygiene is best described as random and food prices are bumped up from being just not good value for the amount you have to fork out, to downright unbelievable on Public Holidays.

Driving on the public roads is an amateur sport here. It's enjoyed by many. Corners are for taking at any speed at which at least two wheels will stay in contact with the gravel (yes gravel, don't expect all the roads to have tarmac) and indicating before you turn simply means you're scared or have no license. Trucks own the road, argue at your peril.

Still reading?

What About the Fantastic Scenery and the Clean, Green Image?

Okay. As much as there are bad things, there are plenty of good things to balance them out. Generally, New Zealanders are very community minded and respectful, both of people and property. Your kids will be safer, and you can find a beach to yourself if that's what you want. You can lose yourself in the woods, hide in the valleys and live off the land if that's what floats your boat. Saturdays are for sport. Watching it, playing it or just sitting round and re-living it.

Summer in a country with this many beaches means that all other worries just melt away. The fishing is sublime. In boats, in kayaks or from the rocks. In less than a year you will be an expert and can safely catch enough to feed your family. You know when you've cracked it when the value of fish you catch is more than the amount you've just spent on bait!

Life is slower here, but you can stay busy all year round. Tourism is a major part of life and is actively promoted, but it can be very seasonal. The scale of events and attractions is the one point you have to make an early decision on. An “international” attraction may be less than the size of your double garage. All the rides in some Theme parks can be done twice in two hours.

But put the commercial tourism aside, walk and talk with the locals and enjoy what they enjoy, and it soon becomes clear exactly what the attraction of New Zealand is. It's the variety, it's the plain speaking and if you're not too naïve - the opportunity.