I realized that once we arrive in New Zealand and I get my working papers off to Immigration New Zealand (attempt #2), it will probably take two weeks to process my work visa, and possibly another two weeks to receive a tax ID number. I probably won’t be able to legally work in New Zealand until January 2015.
Which means once we find a place in Auckland, I will have some time to take minitrips around New Zealand. Go to the places I haven’t seen in my first two trips to New Zealand. Maybe I’ll have a freelance project from the States to carry with me (fingers crossed).
So, what I ask of you: Where I should go with that free time? Where would you go if you had the chance to take a few one-to-three-day trips? Go to the beach? Go the the bush? Should I go to a particular town? Should I take one of Air New Zealand’s mystery breaks?
I’m leaning towards taking a bus up towards the Bay of Islands for the beaches, or to Napier to check out the Art Deco architecture.
This is an open call to leave a comment suggesting a town to visit, an environment to check out (a lake? a beach?), or a restaurant or pub or cafe to stop by. If you want to use an alias or a nom de plume, that’s fine.
December 7, 2014 at 8:49 pm
Definitely Bay of Islands. Beaches are gorgeous, and you’ll have perfect weather in January – it was in the low 80s when we were there in January 2014. If you stay in Russell, be sure to have a drink (or ideally a meal) at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel. Napier is cute but not really a whole lot going on to spend more than a few hours there IMHO. Save it for another trip when you can team it with Hawkes Bay wineries.
December 8, 2014 at 6:40 am
Thanks Emily! I’m leaning Bay of Islands too.