North Island

Travel guides and first-hand stories from New Zealand’s North Island — home to geothermal wonders, Māori culture, volcanic lakes and the country’s biggest cities. Browse my posts on Auckland, Rotorua, Taupō and more.

I Went to Auckland Zoo to See a Kiwi and Found a Lot More

I Went to Auckland Zoo to See a Kiwi and Found a Lot More

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This is Auckland Zoo. The main reason I visited the zoo was that I wanted to see a kiwi. It’s the national bird of New … Read more

My MOTAT Review - Trams, Planes and a Beam Engine From 1877

My MOTAT Review – Trams, Planes and a Beam Engine From 1877

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The Museum of Transport & Technology (MOTAT) is a fascinating place. I spent a very interesting morning there. To be honest, it ended up being … Read more

Auckland War Memorial Museum: I Spent Half a Day Here and Still Didn't Finish

Auckland War Memorial Museum: I Spent Half a Day Here and Still Didn’t Finish

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Visiting the Auckland War Memorial Museum The museum itself is huge. Three level are filled with natural history specimens worthy of any Victorian cabinet of … Read more

Sichuan Hotpot at Da Long Yi Auckland (Photos)

Sichuan Hotpot at Da Long Yi Auckland (Photos)

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Da Long Yi had been waiting for the right moment, and I’d had enough of my Auckland Sichuan hotpot dreams so I gave them the … Read more

My Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland Review

My Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland Review

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When I visited New Zealand recently, I stayed at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Auckland and thought it might be good to share what it was … Read more

Going Up the Sky Tower for a Look at All of Auckland

Going Up the Sky Tower for a Look at All of Auckland

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The Sky Tower in Auckland was one of those places where I didn’t know exactly what to expect. Sure, it’s one of those big tourist … Read more

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