New Zealand family travels

It’s giving me much comfort (albeit with a touch of self-indulgence) to write a blog post about our fab family trip in December. Having family in New Zealand is super special and this was the first post-Covid trip so it was an emotional reunion at Auckland airport. We were also desperate to show our boys a taste of New Zealand – their impressions were largely based on barefoot kids running around, Kiwi birds and the Haka. There is so much to see on this incredible small island in the Pacific and so much to talk about too. From the political, to the economic, and social. But I’ll keep this post light and focus on the few adventures we had – and that we could squeeze into – just a few weeks.

North & South islands

Besides spending time in Auckland with close family and friends we also ventured further afield. Firstly to Waiheke Island, just a short ferry hop from Auckland’s main harbour. This place is dreamy and one the boys didn’t want to leave. It’s become so popular with locals that many live here and commute back to Auckland for work. There are stunning white sand beaches, endless vineyards and walking trails which take you through lush woodland.

Also on the North Island is Rotorua. A classic stop with tourists to sample some geothermal activities rarely seen in other countries around the world. Bubbling mud and spurting geysers were a few of the highlights.

The South Island has a very different feel to it. Known for its stunning mountainous landscapes and glacial lakes it’s a photographers dream (given the right weather conditions!). Below are some photos from Glenorchy, Lake Wanaka, Diamond Lake and Bob’s Cove.

We saw just a snippet of NZ but can’t wait to visit again in the coming years. We also had a few days in Malaysia on the way home. A perfect end to a life-affirming trip.