Rotorua is one of the most visited places in New Zealand, sometimes called Roto-vegas, and this was to be our next stop. Our hosts actually lived a little way away next to the beautiful Lake Tarewera but we arrived in Rotorua early so had some time to kill there. At Kauria Park we saw some (free) hot springs and bubbling mud holes spewing forth sulphurous steam, and the notorious aroma of rotten eggs, before getting some internet time (and a few $2 bacon and BB...

Next stop was a farm just outside Raglan, a cool laid back surf town on the West coast. Our hosts were Linda and Brian who have 300 acres of land where we stayed and who had just taken over another 700 acres down the road. Linda also owns and operates a cafe and herb nursery. The house was built around 6 years ago on top of a hill giving anyone staying there amazing (and i really mean amazing) 360 degree views over the beautiful, remote countryside. We were qui...

After being soilt at warkworth Lodge we left once again looking forward to our next HelpX experience, this time at a place called the Purangi Winery Cafe/Bar. We were quite frankly unprepared for what we encountered. Rustic is the misnomer you might use to describe the ramshackle, positively run-down first impression we had of the place. Our accomodation consisted of a recently hobbled together room containing two old single beds that based on a quick ...

And so we headed north from Auckland for a week of camping and exploring. First camping stop was Whangerei via a quick pit-stop at Mangawhai Heads to sample the culinary delights of my 2nd cousin Charlotte's hole-in-the-wall eatery 'Roasts to Go'. To say that the roast lamb, gravy and chutney baguettes were amazing may sound a little nepotistic but quite frankly they were just that. We made Whangerei in good time and settled in to the pleasant but small camp gr...

And so the big day arrived with much less fanfare and general Christmas excitement than usual. This was the first time either of us had spent it away from close family but we were lucky enough to be spending it with some lovely people. Our hosts, and my relatives, Jan and Ken took us on a quick tour of the local area in the morning, along and up to Mt Victoria for some impressive panoramic views of Auckland from the North Shore, then down into quaint Devonport. M...