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Waiau River, Hurunui District. © David Baird

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Natural attractions

Today, tomorrow, Tīmaru

South Canterbury’s landscapes are born of its location – bounded by two of Canterbury’s unique braided rivers, flanked on one side by the Pacific Ocean and to the west the Southern Alps. At its heart, the city of Tīmaru. Read the story . . . 

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Activities

Lake Taupō: how did we get so lucky?

It really is all about Lake Taupō in this part of the world, where the water’s mood governs the feel of the day: sunny and sparkling, or grey and intense.  Read the story . . . 

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Natural attractions

Marlborough Sounds: unspoilt wilderness

Marlborough must have been an amazing place to visit in the last Ice Age when a fair chunk of the Southern Ocean was locked up in the Antarctic icebox.  Read the story . . . 

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Heritage and history

Gore: more than golden guitars

On one hand, the Gore Country Music Club’s weekly get-together sums up the town’s character. It’s heart-warmingly friendly, good-natured, nurturing and inclusive. Read the story . . . 

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Things to do

Punakāiki Pancake Rocks: geological marvel

Funny that Māori should have had a word that sounded so much like the English word for ‘pancakes’. Read the story . . . 

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Natural attractions

Te Mata Peak: Hawke's Bay icon

From Te Mata Peak, on a clear day, you can see the whole of Hawke’s Bay laid out before you – up to Māhia Peninsula in the north and the rugged hills behind the coast to the south. Read the story . . . 

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Must-Do's
Things to do

Doubtful Sound: powerful serenity

The most obviously dubious aspect of Doubtful Sound is its name, because as everyone knows, it’s actually a fiord, carved from the mountains by the action of a glacier long since gone the way of a Fruju in high summer.  Read the story . . . 

Cruising Doubtful Sound. © Tony Stewart

Natural attractions > Food and drink > Family fun > Heritage and history

Loved by the locals: East Auckland

Do what the locals do in East Auckland. Read the story . . . 

Natural attractions > Food and drink > Heritage and history > Art and culture

Loved by the locals: Nelson

Do what the locals do in Nelson. Read the story . . . 

Activities > Natural attractions > Food and drink > Entertainment

Loved by the locals: Gisborne

Do what the locals do in Gisborne. Read the story . . . 

Must-Do this June...

Events and festivals > Must-Do's > Art and culture

Ōamaru’s Victorian Precinct: the capital of all things steampunk

Slightly eccentric, Ōamaru is one of those not-as-it-first-seems places. The surprises are all good ones, though! Read the story . . . 

Heritage and history > Must-Do's

Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the Museum of Waitangi

Waitangi has a perfect mix of experiences – you can drown yourself in the historical aspects, and you can wow yourself with the amazing view. Read the story . . . 

Natural attractions > National parks > Heritage and history > Must-Do's

Bridge to Nowhere: stunning walking in the Whanganui National Park

Reach the enigmatic Bridge to Nowhere via the Kaiwhakauka Track or navigating the Whanganui River to the Mangapūrua Landing. Read the story . . . 

Food and drink > Indulgence > Must-Do's

Eat crayfish in Kaikōura: dine al fresco on this hallmark cuisine

In Māori, kai means food and kōura means crayfish. Right. The water off this cool coast is wild with sealife, including that New Zealand delicacy: crayfish. Read the story . . .