Ever since we started planning this trip one of the things we knew we had to do when we got here was buy a vehicle. Everything we read regarding New Zealand suggested not only that the best way to see it was independently by motor but also that cheap cars were plentiful, practically being handed out to backpackers on arrival at the airport. This is not quite the case and the market is very different to what we were expecting. Very old cars that you wouldn't st...

So we've been in New Zealand for nearly 2 weeks and have settled in well. We're working, for our room and food, in a B&B in a small town called Warkworth about 40 mins drive north of Auckland. It's an extremely scenic area with lush green rolling hills and numerous parks to explore and long sandy beaches to chill out on (once the frigging weather decides to play ball and just BE SUNNY!) Our hosts, Liz and Geoff, are extremely nice and generous. They've let ...