Story by staff writer JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram. After the thrills and spills of Kayaking in Mercury Bay, New Zealand, we were grateful for a soft bed at the hostel in Whitianga. The next morning it was clear that autumn was trying to assert itself. Rain in the early hours had drenched...

Story by staff writer JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram. Auckland. Also known as Dorkland, its inhabitants humorously refer to themselves as Jafas (Just Another F****** Aucklander). This city is one of the biggest tourist draws in New Zealand. It’s also where I spent the greatest percentage...

Story by staff writer JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram. Leaving Rangitukia, the little green Kiwi Experience bus returned to State Highway 35 for the last leg of our East As adventure around New Zealand’s East Cape. After a short time, we veered off the main road and continued towards...

Story by staff writer JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram. GETTING BACK ONTO the little green bus after our stay at Tatapouri was difficult. We were all reluctant to leave our newfound patch of paradise, but we knew there were more wonders to come. We were traveling with Kiwi Experience, an...

Story by staff writer JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram. MATAMATA IS A peaceful little Kiwi town not far from the city of Hamilton. At least it was peaceful, until March 1999 when tons of heavy machinery moved in to transform the surrounding farmlands into The Shire. Yes, the Bagginses come...

Story by staff writer JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram. 7 a.m. on a foggy morning in Paihia saw us introduced to Spike, the driver of the Awesome bus. To call him a character would be an understatement, but I can think of no one better to introduce you to the “top bit” of New Zealand....

Story by guest blogger JM Merchant. Photos Copyright © Joanna Abram. TATAPOURI CAN BE found on the eastern cape of New Zealand’s North Island. Despite its proximity to the city of Gisbourne (the nation’s surfing capital), Tatapouri is gloriously quiet and secluded. It may be set on one of the country’s...