Ask MetaFilter

Later this month, a 23yo friend will have a layover in Auckland that includes an evening + most of the following day. She loves art and interesting shops and maybe thrifting, and definitely cute animals. But she's also shy and a little anxious so she needs things that are quite easy to bop into on her own. No car but presumably she can use a car service or bus or whatever's available. Ideas?
posted by BlahLaLa around Auckland, New Zealand at 3:19 PM - 4 answers

We'll be in New Zealand this summer, have arranged lodgings in various places over the course of the visit, but don't have any plans around doing anything while there. It's getting on about time to figure that out but of course I have all these constraints to deal with... [more inside]
posted by majick around New Zealand at 7:22 AM - 11 answers

My husband and I just bought tickets to the 2023 Women's World Cup (yay!). Now we're starting to think about planning our trip and we're super overwhelmed. I'd love some help thinking through a rough itinerary! [more inside]
posted by catoclock around New Zealand at 9:13 AM - 10 answers

I would like to visit a lighthouse (or at least see one in person). My spouse and I plan to take a train trip next year. Please help me combine these. [more inside]
posted by NotLost around New Zealand at 9:33 PM - 16 answers

My daughter has 2 years of school left and after she has graduated we would love to move our lives from Australia to New Zealand. Although it's a while away, we are both excited and wondering if anyone who has moved countries has any advice on what they wish they had started getting organised 2 years in advance, if anything? [more inside]
posted by Youremyworld around New Zealand at 6:10 PM - 4 answers

We are traveling around the South Island of New Zealand and are looking for strange, unusual and obscure things to do (and support with our tourist dollars). Not "hike up Franz Josef Glacier" or "visit Quake City" or "tour the Pic's factory." More unusual hiking trails / attractions / just odd spots along the way. Anywhere on the South Island (or Stewart Island) is fair game, we are wide-ranging people!
posted by rednikki around New Zealand at 3:58 AM - 10 answers

We have about a week in New Zealand in early June after I have a conference in Australia. We will have a baby and a tween. What should we do? [more inside]
posted by k8t around New Zealand at 8:26 AM - 6 answers

Requesting recommendations of fine dining rooftop restaurants in Wellington, NZ. Hoping for view of Wellington Harbor. Restaurant atop hotel preferred.
posted by John Borrowman around Wellington, New Zealand at 2:23 PM - 8 answers

A friend and I are off to New Zealand in September. We generally make up trips as we go, but there are some items (like Hobbiton) that require a little more planning in the form of long term reservations. What restaurants/lodges/experiences should we be booking three months out?
posted by Tell Me No Lies around New Zealand at 7:26 PM - 9 answers

An unexpected opportunity to go to New Zealand just fell in my lap, and I am thrilled. I'll have a little over a week or so to explore! Flying into and out of Wellington (although I know there'll be at least one stop in between, and don't know very much about what it's like getting around NZ in general). What should I know, and what should I do? [more inside]
posted by caitcadieux around New Zealand at 9:52 AM - 6 answers

I drive a lot (all in NZ's South Island) servicing my jobs and doing sales. I'm normally alone so have a spare seat and room for a backpack. There's no service to connect hitchers and drivers here so I'm thinking of setting up something for myself (maybe it will expand but right now I'm just thinking about me). [more inside]
posted by unearthed around New Zealand at 2:58 AM - 5 answers

What should a newly arrived, exhausted tourist do in Auckland Tuesday morning? [more inside]
posted by Nelson around Auckland, New Zealand at 1:03 PM - 6 answers

Any and all advice for a first time visitor to New Zealand! [more inside]
posted by smorgasbord around New Zealand at 2:18 PM - 11 answers

Ms. Outfielder and I need a quick sanity check on an admittedly sort of rushed South Island of NZ itinerary. [more inside]
posted by outfielder around New Zealand at 10:29 AM - 6 answers

My rooster and I have a fabulous trip to New Zealand on the calendar, but we haven't nailed down the planning part. Will you tell us if the itinerary is crazy or missing something obvious? [more inside]
posted by Wet Hen around New Zealand at 6:12 PM - 15 answers

Is the Coromandel too busy at Easter time? Should we head to Matamata instead? [more inside]
posted by freethefeet around New Zealand at 12:30 AM - 9 answers

Let's go to Christchurch and take the Coastal Pacific Train! Oh, closed due to earthquake damage...Ok, let's fly to Christchurch from Picton and take the TranzAlpine to Greymouth! Oh, closed due to brush fires now...What should we do instead? [more inside]
posted by undercoverhuwaaah around New Zealand at 1:32 PM - 5 answers

We are seeing the South Island of New Zealand in 5 days. (We do not have more time.) Current itinerary is: KiwiRail Coastal Pacific from Picton to Christchurch, overnight in Christchurch, KiwiRail TranzAlpine Explorer from Christchurch to Greymouth, rent car in Greymouth, drive to Queenstown (stops dependent on advice). Where should we spend lots of time (and where should we skip out on) to make the most of our five days? Are the trains worth it? Should we bus rather than drive to Queenstown? Also, hotel and wine tour recs? More inside. [more inside]
posted by rednikki around South Island, New Zealand at 12:48 PM - 7 answers

Having filled out an Expression of Interest to work in New Zealand I am 10 points shy of automatic acceptance. However, on receipt of a job offer I qualify easily. What I don't understand is the Chicken/Egg situation of looking for a job without a visa but needing a visa to find a job. Has anyone been through this? I can't help but feel it will be off putting to employers, although as far as I understand they need only to assist with the application for a temporary work visa; however I may be being naive here. [more inside]
posted by stackhaus23 around Auckland, New Zealand at 9:51 AM - 5 answers

Have you traveled in New Zealand during the winter? Help us plan our 15-day trip in New Zealand this July! While we have some ideas about places we’d like to hit, we’re not sure if the tentative itinerary we’ve laid out is reasonable or too crazy (i.e. too much driving and not enough time at each destination). [more inside]
posted by st elmo's fire around New Zealand at 6:27 PM - 13 answers