New Zealand Master Thread

[Dan]

What do people do for food in NZ these days?

[Yehoshua]

What do people do for food in NZ these days?

There are things to just buy there, like smoked salmon and produce, your kosher list is quite extensive, and nearly all bread is kosher.

[Ploni3]

You can check with the Rav in Auckland about the standard they use to approve commercial breads for local consumption. There is a bagel shop in Auckland that the Rav supervises at US kosher standard levels but it is only open a few hours a day and has a very limited menu. They also supply the airlines with food so you can get the frozen airline food from them and if you are lucky you can find them on a day that they are cooking those meals fresh. There are a lot of products that are listed in the Kosher Australia app that you can get in grocery stores.

[lansky]

Ok here is my South Island of New Zealand trip report. Sorry for the delay just took a while to get back to myself. In introduction we went in the nz winter because of scheduling and also I have read that is is the nicest when there is snow. Also much less tourists giving you a real kiwi experience. Prices are lower as well. I am a big skiier but had no time to ski. We brought meat from Australia as they only let in Australian meat. Make sure it says from Au they checked every package!
   
        We landed in Christchurch on a Sunday afternoon on a jetstar flight for about 220 for each of us (myself and wife) from Sydney. We rented a car from Shoestring car rental which was about 120usd from sunday till friday. We were planning on shopping in the city and than driving across nz from the west coast to east coast via the magnificent Arthurs Pass, and then down to the Frans josef glacier(5hr drive), but when we landed we heard a blizzard was expected in the pass so we left right away. We were told "leave now and drive fast"!! Snow started falling but we made it. We stayed at a small motel called 58 on cron motel for 100usd, was simple but nice and clean.
   
          Monday: we drove to the franz josef and fox glacier and then to the tasman sea. Gorgeous beaches surrounded by white capped mountains. Then we headed to Wanaka which is on the way to Quenstown. You drive through the Haast Pass. There were signs saying Chains Essential due to the snow which was brewing in the mountains but having no choice we went anyways. Roads were covered in snow but drive was amazing. We passed lake Hawea and lake wanaka which were stunning. Arrived in wanaka and stayed at the bella vista hotel which was nice.
   
       Tuesday: most roads were closed due to the snow from last two days so we bought snow chains for fifty bucks and luckily we got to Quenstown. We took a gondola to the top of the city and was worth every penny. Town is surrounded by lakes and snowy mountains. Against the advice of locals due to the weather forecast we then drove to Te Anu which is on the bottom of NZ and had a stunning drive through the most remote part of nz. Just lakes mountain and snow. Overnight in Fiordland Lakeview Motel & Apartments in Te anu which is gateway to Milford sound.
   
        Wednesday: we had clear blue skies and drove to Milfrod sound. The drive down is supposed to be the nicest anywhere. We took a cruise of the sound with Mitre Peaks Cruise  and saw the nicest scenery of our lives. Kicks Switzerland canaidian rockies new foundland Alaska or anywhere else I have been to. Mile high mountains with sheer cliffs into the water. Seals penguins you name it. We then drove up the west coast all the was to Mt cook. Seven hour drive. Arrived at midnight and stayed in The Hermitage which overlooks mt cook.
   
       Thursday: Due to avalanche warnings all hiking trails were closed so we took a chopper over Mt cook the highest mtn on the continent. We told company we can only afford 150 a person but in end they had two seats extra on a 400usd tour so we rode for less than half the other passengers. Was coolest flight ever better than than mt mckinley one we did in Alaska. Worth it to splurge on you will not regret what you see from the chopper. We landed on a glacier and got to get out on top of the clouds, though the snow was four feet deep!!! We then drove to Christchurch via lake pukaki and stayed in Aalton motel for 80usd. Nice no frills. Next morning we flew back to Sydney.
   
   Whole NZ cost under 1500 for both of us and was worth every penny. Would definitely go back!!

clearly you never left the airport in anc