Before becoming a travel-focused journalist in 2017, I was one of those Kiwis who’d seen more of the world than they had their own country.
Convinced as a kid that everything exciting happened elsewhere, I crossed the ditch to Australia as soon as I could, eventually moving on to the UK and the US. Weekends and holidays were spent exploring my new surroundings and, while homesickness often overcame me, I had no desire to move back home until my dad died and it suddenly seemed imperative to be around family.
Still, Aotearoa’s remoteness frustrated me until I began exploring it properly, both through work and in my own time. Now I can honestly say that, while it’s far from perfect, it’s a place I’m happy to call home — the beautiful variety of its landscapes, perfect for all manner of outdoor activities, and exceptional kai being among the main reasons.
NZ has certainly given me a good time since I’ve been back, but these four experiences have been etched particularly deeply in my memory.
Black water rafting in Waitomo
