Photo: Auckland from the harbour.

You might want to save reading this for bedtime, as I don't have much exciting to report.
Flew from Dunedin on 07 March, and straight out to the Coromandel peninsula to the town of Whitianga. Not to be confused w Whakatane, Wanganui, Waiakanae or even Whangarai or Waitangi. Something that's easy to do sailing down the only real stretch of road in the country, looking for your exit. The "wh" is pronounced with an f sound here. Which makes it just as tough when you're trying to talk about the places.
Quiet seaside town, busy in the summer months w Kiwi families. Went to Hot Water beach one day. You need to go at low tide, and dig yourself a hole in the sand. The hole slowly fills w water from the underground hotsprings, and you can sit in your own little hot-tub and watch the surfers as the tide rolls in. Did some more hiking here. Ran into a couple from Ontario that had just landed in Christchurch hours before the quake hit. They weren't allowed back into their hotel. Fortunately they were carrying their wallets and passports, so they hopped in their rental car and took off. Bought a few things next town over, and stuff they needed along the way. Good for them for carrying on. They said they really enjoyed traveling light, and hoped to never pack excessively again.
From Whitianga to Hamilton, then Warkworth and Orewa, and finished in Auckland.
Lots of walking. Up hills, through cemeteries and along beaches. Did the usual city stuff in Auckland, including a good French meal. (Overall, the food in NZ has been poor to average). Also enjoyed a Saturday afternoon harbour cruise, stopping at a few islands and watching part of a yacht race.
I can't say enough about the genuine friendliness of the Kiwis. They are proud of their country, and eager to share it w visitors. It is truly beautiful here.
I may do an additional observational blog about the Kiwis themselves (the way they drive, the accent, their sense of humour), but for now, that's it.
Sorry this is dull. I have lost the will to blog.
Today is Sunday the 20th, and we are off to Fiji. Maybe I'll be newly inspired there.