If you're a local planning to explore someone else's backyard, or a visitor to New Zealand for the first time, this section will come in handy.
Here you'll find lots of stuff about New Zealand, specific regional information, public holiday schedules, weather forecasts, and loads of helpful hints to make sure you are fully informed when planning your next little Aotearoa adventure.
Important Stuff

New Zealand >
New Zealand | Things you need to know - Travellers Helpful Hints- Daylight Savings: Basically, we try and bluff Mother Nature by playing around with the hands of time. On the last Sunday in September, we go into 'Daylight Savings' mode when the clocks go forward one hour (eg: 2am becomes 3am) to celebrate more hours of daylight. Then on the first Sunday in April the clocks go back to normal (eg: 3am becomes 2am). As a reminder: Spring forward, Fall back.
- Land of the Long White Cloud: Yes, this is the translation of Aotearoa (the Maori name for New Zealand). It doesn't take much to work out why this would be the case -- look skywards, and you'll get the general idea. But regardless of the long white cloud, we have very strong UV rays and the sun will burn. Slip, Slop, Slap (slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat).
- The Language: While Maori is the native tongue, everyone speaks English pretty much. NZ is so multicultural however, that there will be dense pockets of almost every culture you can think of -- so there's always the exception to the rule. If in doubt, we highly recommend you smile, nod and try some form of sign language. We're a pretty friendly bunch.
- Left Hand Drivers: You know about driving on the left, right?
- Crime: Just like any other country in the world, there will always be a complete plonker who ruins everything for everyone else. They may not be dressed in hooded black cape with a name badge, so we suggest you lock up your valuables (keep the ipod off the front seat of your rental car), and use good common sense without putting yourself at risk at 4am in a dimly lit alley. If you don't want to take our advice, feel free to read up on what our Police say.
- New Zealand's Beaches: They are diverse, beautiful, rugged, isolated, sandy, bouldered, shelled, serene, wild - you name it, they differ throughout the country. One thing that remains constant however are the powerful rips in the water. On popular beaches you will find a Surf Life Saving team with flags patrolling the beach. Listen to them, as they are your friends and may just save your life. If there is no patrol, be sensible, and look after your mates.
- Hunting and Game: You will need a NZ hunting licence. Check with Fish and Game NZ and Department of Conservation (DOC) for details. You can't go around shooting at anything, anywhere - we have protected native birds and animals. If in doubt, don't.
- Mountain Safety: We're pretty casual around here, but don't put be a wally and attempt a trek without full preparation. We have amazing forests and mountains, and your brilliant adventure can turn to custard if you don't plan ahead. Check with Mountain Safety Council for safety tips and guidelines.
NZ >
Public Holidays in New Zealand | CalendarJust when you think you've got your holidays sorted and agreed to annual leave for your next adventure -- damn, you've stuffed up the public holiday calendar. Not all holidays fall on the same date, unfortunately.
Like most clever Kiwis, we make the most out of long weekends and statutory holidays. Don't be caught out, and check this 2011 NZ PUBLIC HOLIDAY link.
Whether it be your district's Anniversary Day, Waitangi Day, Easter or even Labour Weekend, best you check well in advance.
Be sure too, if you are planning an activity on major stat holidays such as Anzac Day, Good Friday or Christmas Day - often these days are traditionally "closed for business" so do be sure to check the business operator's website to be sure, to avoid disappointment.
Photo Credit | © Queenstown Winter Festival
Other Important Stuff
Greater Auckland >
Auckland | Dog Friendly Exercise Areas/BeachesMost beaches allow "off leash" exercise time before 10am and after 6pm during daylight savings (and it seems no problem outside of daylight savings hours), but check with the information board on the beach front to be certain.
With this rule applying, most beaches are in fact dog-friendly any day of the week. There are heaps of options readily available, and a few surprises too.
Auckland Central off the leash:
- Meola Reef in Westmere has a great fenced in dog exercise area
We Reckon | There's a large fenced off area which makes up just part of the Meola Reef reserve. It was quite muddy when we visited, and while the owners stick to the grassy paths, dogs are racing in all directions. It's fun, and very chaotic at times! It's free, open to the public any weather, and a good option we reckon.
- Mt Eden has a fenced zone and certainly worth a look
- Waiatarua Reserve, Remuera
- Western Park, Ponsonby
You Reckon | "Fantastic off lead area for dogs! Can be accessed from Ponsonby Road or all of the streets running off Hepburn Street. Just keep away from the playground and sports field at the bottom but there's plenty of room to play for 4 legged and 2 legged. Enjoy." Jude, NZ
- Mt Albert has a newly fenced off dog exercise area too, small but certainly a great local option.
- Attwood Road (wharf reserve area), Paremoremo
- Rahui Beach, Greenhithe
- Chelsea Bay Beach, Birkenhead
- St Leonards Beach, Takapuna
- Takapuna Beach (before 10am)*
- JF Kennedy Memorial Park Beach, Castor Bay
- Churchill Reserve Beach, Rothesay Bay
- Craigavon Park, Blockhouse Bay
- Totara Park, Mangere
You Reckon | "While this is a great dog friendly area as far as being off leash is concerned, you should have a warning here regarding the ticks. For safety's sake, only bring your dog here if it has been treated with Frontline." Tania, NZ
- Auckland Botanic Gardens, Manurewa
You Reckon | "All the Gardens are available to dogs apart from the cafe, visitors centre and library and a substantial area is available off lead." Tania, NZ
- North Head, Devonport
- Okura Walkway, Redvale
- South Auckland - Franklin City Council
- North Shore - North Shore City Council
- West Auckland - Waitakere City Council
- Auckland Central - Auckland City Council
Greater Auckland >
Auckland | Family Friendly CyclewaysFor starters, in West Auckland, Woodhill Forest (small admission) takes you to a popular riding spot for mountain biking with paths for all levels of fitness, and riding abilities. It may seem like rush hour traffic at 8am on a Sunday morning, but that's because it's so good! Get in amongst it! Being so close to the West Coast and sand, it's a great location for biking, regardless of the weather (not so muddy as other tracks can be).
In Central Auckland, there's plenty too - but you can't overlook Tamaki Drive. There's around 6kms of concreted, marked and safe cycle paths (and lots of cafes, beaches, playgrounds and ice-cream shops along the way)!
There's a great cycle path linking Waterview with Te Atatu over the cause-way. Access this via a great map from the team at Bikey including a Glen Eden-to-Auckland route and a helpful North-Western map from the Auckland City Council showing bike access from Auckland City itself.
Then there are a numerous reserves and parks with cycle-friendly paths, including Grey Lynn Park.
We've only just begun to list a range of options, so if you know more please email us so we can share it with everyone else too!
Getting to these Family Friendly Bike Routes | Check for the "green bicycle icons". See our map for directions, and more FREE things to do in Auckland:
View Things to do in Auckland in a larger map
Photo Credit | © Samuel Tyler
Auckland >
Auckland | Getting to Know AucklandThe FREE things to do, the special occasion activities, and the brilliant not-to-miss scenery, are all here. This will help plan your travelling route and your playtime agenda based on budget, interests, and how much time you've allowed to go exploring.
- To make it easy for you, we've split Auckland into sub-regions: Rodney, Waitakere, North Shore, Auckland Central, Hauraki Gulf, South Auckland. You will find this helpful when using the filter function on the home page.
- Using our Things to do in Auckland Google Map, you can skip from icon to icon to see at a glance what may be of interest to you, which will of course dictate how much time you'll need to spend. There are two pages of maps, so be sure to flick between the two (so you don't miss out on any options).
- We've written up some of our favourite FREE things do to around Auckland to get you started. Once you've got an idea of what activities you want to do,
or places to see - "Save to Favourites" as this function then
becomes your own hot picking list and guide you as to which driving
route you'll likely to take.
- You can create your own Route Planner (created
by Driving New Zealand) which will calculate the driving time and even
fuel consumption. You can save your map for reference, or refresh and
plan another route.
- Helpful Hint: Avoid Auckland's motorways if possilbe during rush-hour (4-6pm). It is very chaotic and if you not used to assertive driving, best have a coffee and avoid the mayhem.
- And for serious stuff, facts and figures and details - here's Immigration New Zealand's Auckland snippet of useful trivia.
View Things to do in Auckland in a larger map
Greater Auckland >
Auckland | Mountain Buggy - Wheelchair Friendly WalksMany of the articles featured on planmyplay.co.nz are most certainly child friendly, and you can filter Child's Play specifically. However, to drill down a bit further we're able to summarise a few of the top walks suitable for mountain buggies, prams/push chairs and wheelchairs.
Here is just the beginning of a list of those you may enjoy, with concrete paths and/or well formed tracks suitable for mountain buggies.
Mountain Buggy walks will see you going cross-country over farmland and through bush. Some lovely walks include:Ambury Park, Mangere
Otuatua Stone Fields, Mangere
Tahuna Torea, Meadowbank
Mangere Lagoon, Mangere
Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga
Moire Park, Henderson
Oakley Creek, Waterview
Craigavon Reserve, Blockhouse Bay
One Tree Hill, Greenlane
Auckland Domain, Grafton
Centennial Park, Cambells Bay
Smiths Bush, Northcote
Auckland Botanic Gardens, Manurewa
Hobsonville Point (former Hobsonville airfield): the route is around 4km long, with a wonderful new playground nearby
- Also, Harbour Sport had put together a list of short 30-45 minute walks around Auckland suitable for mountain buggies and prams. This was part of an organised 'pram walk', and although the events have long gone (2007) - the walks still remain, and could be of interest to you.
Tamaki Drive, Auckland Central
Western Springs, Western Springs
Riverside, Helensville
Farm Cove, Pakuranga
Panmure Basin, Panmure
Millennium Walkway, Orewa
Waipareira Walkway, West Harbour
Getting to these buggy/wheelchair friendly walks | Click on the embedded links above we've provided, and they'll take you directly to each location on our map:
View Things to do in Auckland in a larger map
Photo Credit | Cornwall Park, Greenlane
Greater Auckland >
Auckland | What's on Today in Auckland - Live EventsWhen it comes to events, there are heaps of "things to do" every day in cities throughout Auckland. While this website shines a beacon for activities rather than events, we can however, point you in the right direction if it is live entertainment you're after!
There are HEAPS of professional theatre productions, international bands and major events in Auckland Central at any one time - too many to name them all. We have listed the "big players" when it comes to booking agents and would suggest that you contact them directly:
They will have the full schedule: dates, locations, times, pricing schedules and what's coming up well in advance. Ultimately you will make a booking directly with them.New Zealand >
Bay of Plenty | Photo GalleryThis is just a "taster" of course. For a growing collection of more photos, check out our Facebook gallery for Bay of Plenty:

Whakatane Harbour

The Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest, Rotorua

Old Government Gardens, Rotorua

Otarawairere Beach, Whakatane

Tarawera Falls, Kawerau
Main photo (top): Whale Island, Whakatane
New Zealand >
Canterbury | Photo GalleryCan't include a full montage here, but here's a "snippet". For a growing collection of more photos, check out our Facebook gallery for Canterbury:

Lake Tekapo

Canterbury "Rush Hour"

Caroline Bay, Timaru

Mt Cook Alpine Canals

Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Tekapo
Main Photo (top): Lake Pukaki, Mackenzie Country
New Zealand >
Coromandel Peninsula | Photo GalleryFor a growing collection of more photos, check out our Facebook gallery for Coromandel Peninsula:

Waihi Beach

Cathedral Cove

Views from Mt Paku

Te Pare, Hahei

Mussell Barge Fishing, Coromandel Town
Main Photo (top): Hot Water Beach
New Zealand >
Northland | Photo GalleryFor a growing collection of more photos, check out our Facebook gallery for Northland:

Mt Manaia

Waipu Cove

Piroa Falls, Waipu

Pouto Peninsula, Kaipara

Ruakaka Beach
Main photo (top): Baylys Beach
Otago >
Otago | Dunedin - Wildlife ToursWhether it be by foot, bus, off road, boat or kayak - taking a tour can be a user friendly option, great company if you are travelling by yourself, and you get a running commentary without reading brochures all day long.
If otherwise not listed on this website, here's a list of some Dunedin wildlife tour operators that may be happy to help:
Van | Mini Bus | Bus
Drive-Walk
Cycling
Walking
4WD | Off Road
New Zealand >
Otago | Photo GalleryDunedin, with its very gothic architecture, makes for a very old Scottish feel.
For a growing collection of more photos, check out our Facebook gallery for Otago:

Aramoana Spit, Dunedin

Heritage Buildings, Dunedin City

Baldwin Street, Dunedin

Allans Beach, Otago Peninsula

Port Chalmers

Nugget Point, The Catlins
Main Photo (top): Moeraki Boulders, North Otago
Otago >
Otago | Special Interest | Wineries and Vineyards to VisitBannockburn
- Akarua Winery | 210 Cairnmuir Road, Bannockburn
- Bald Hills Vineyard | 46 Cornish Point Road, Bannockburn
- Carrick Winery | Cairnmuir Road, Bannockburn
- Mt Difficulty | Felton Road, Bannockburn
- Olssen's Vineyard | 306 Felton Road, Bannockburn
- Amisfield Winery | 10 Lake Hayes Road, Queenstown
- Aurum Wines | 140 Kawarau Gorge Road (State Highway 6), Cromwell
- Chard Farm Winery | Chard Farm Road (off State Highway 6), Gibbston
- Gibbston Valley Wines | State Highway 6, Gibbston
- Northburn Station Vineyard | Tarras-Cromwell Rd, State Highway 8
- Packspur Vineyard | Heaney Rd, Lowburn, Cromwell
- Peregine Wines | Kawarau Gorge Road, Gibbston
- Pisa Range Estate | 925 Kawarau Gorge Road, State Highway 6, Cromwell
- Quartz Reef Winery | Hughes Crescent, Lake Dunstan Estate, McNulty Road, Cromwell
- Rockburn Wines | cnr McNulty Road & Gair Avenue, Cromwell
- Wooing Tree Vineyard | opposite the Big Fruit Sculpture, Shortcut Road, Cromwell
- Rippon Vineyard | 246 Mt Aspiring Road, Wanaka

There's plenty of great outdoor things to do in Central Otago.
Simply filter Adventure Outdoors for more options.
New Zealand >
Taranaki | Photo GalleryFor a growing collection of more photos, check out our Facebook gallery for Taranaki:

Pukerangiora, Waitara

Dawson Falls, Stratford

Lake Mangamahoe, New Plymouth

Stratford Milking

Paritutu Rock, New Plymouth

New Plymouth Coastal Walkway
Main photo (top): Stratford Countryside
Greater Auckland >
Things to Do | Auckland VolunteeringGet the little ones involved and learn a thing or two about eco-responsibility and the environment. It's a feel-good activity that may see you coming back for more!
- Auckland Council needs your help. Whether it is a 'one off' event or if you plan to make it a habit, contact them.
- DOC can always do with a helping hand and has many restoration projects on the go.
- Forest and Bird Society also has regular plantings too.
- EcoEvents (co-ordinated by Auckland Regional Council) seem to have heaps of projects up their sleeve to keep you busy and involved!
- and if you haven't yet discovered Volunteering Auckland, here's the introduction!
We Reckon | If you want to help but don't want to join an organised group, adopt a beach and make an effort once a month to collect rubbish as you stroll - leaving it a better place. You will be surprised the junk you collect and quietly it's a rewarding exercise. This is our experience: Giving a Toss!

New Zealand >
Waikato | Photo GalleryMade up of smaller country townships, Waikato is very much a rural region.
For a growing collection of more photos, check out our Facebook photographs for Waikato:


Ocean Beach, Kawhia

Lake Ngaroto, Te Awamutu

Mangapohue Natural Bridge, Waitomo

Marokopa Falls, Waitomo
Main Photo (top): Whangamarino Wetlands, Meremere
Wellington >
Wellington: Exploring Wellington City by FootOk, so you've taken advantage of some ridiculously low airfares you picked up off the net, and found yourself in Wellington?
We think you've made a great choice. Whether you fly there for the day or a weekend, there's plenty of exploring to be had without having to hire a rental car.
Well, that's what we discovered. In fact, once you've made your way to the central city (around $20 taxi from the airport) exploring the city centre is FREE and there's plenty of walking, or public transport options.
Our picks for 1-2 hours of walking your way around Wellington include:
Oriental Parade | Starting from Te Papa as a base, head around the bays, past the boatsheds, Freyberg Pools and water fountain, and keep going! It's a beautiful walk on a stunning morning, with a couple of cafes at the start of the walk to provide some caffine top-up.
You can access the Mt Victoria lookout from Oriental Parade for an extension to your walking route, or for a great photo opportunity. You may get carried away with the joggers and keep walking, but don't worry, you'll end up on Evans Bay Parade and you'll find yourself in Kilbirnie.
allowing plenty of time for shopping. [Ed]
Wellington Waterfront | There's plenty of bars and restaurants, interesting walkways, waterfeatures and statues to keep you entertained. Just beyond the Wellington Railway Station you'll find the Westpac Stadium (aka The Cake Tin) which is often heaving with sporting activity. The waterfront itself can be very exposed to Wellington's infamous wind, so make sure you pack a jacket in the winter months.
Botanic Gardens | This inner city walks comes highly recommended. We took the Cable Car up the hillside to begin our easy descent through the gardens. There's the Cable Car Museum and Carter Observatory within minutes of the last stop, then an easy walk down to a children's playground, toilets dotted along the way to end on the flat of the Rose Gardens at Tinakori Road, complete with cafe!
All you do is follow the "pink hibiscus flower" painted on the pathway, as it guides you the whole way down. To finish off this circuit, take a trail through the Bolton Street cemetery, exiting very close to the Parliament Buildings.


Top Photo: courtesy © Phillip Capper
New Zealand >
West Coast | Photo GalleryFor a growing collection of more photos, check out our Facebook photo gallery for the West Coast:

Pancake Rocks, Punakaiki

Tauranga Bay Seal Colony, Cape Foulwind

Westport

Fox Glacier

Punakaiki Cliff views

Hokitika Beach
Main Photo (top): Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier


