Topic Wiki

Check out the New Zealand trip report from Fan of Dan

North Island Activities and Attractions
Auckland - boating, hiking, Sky Tower talk, Kosher, Chabad, Hilton & Crowne Plaza Hotels with points.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves - a unique New Zealand attraction.
Lake Taupo - great boating activities, bungee, and a nice Hilton.
Hobbit Movie Set Tour - if you are into that.
White Island - The only active volcano in NZ, has rave reviews.
Tauranga - Mount Maunganui Summit Track, nice beaches.
Tongariro National Park - the first one created in NZ.
Bay of Islands - Beautiful beaches, old town charm in Russell, and great hikes.


Fifth season of "Jet Lag the Game" filmed in New Zealand in 2023, includes visits to tens of attractions from the north tip to the south:
See all the episodes in the Jet Lag the Game thread
« Last edited by YitzyS on June 02, 2023, 05:59:34 PM »

Author Topic: New Zealand Master Thread  (Read 82684 times)

Online Buruch

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #260 on: August 19, 2019, 12:53:30 PM »
It depends on the credit card as far as which will cover campers in NZ.   The Citi Prestige/Premier cards were the only ones I know of that offer coverage on all vehicles.  Most (such as the CSR, CSP, Barclays) have restrictions for specialty vehicles such as campers, pick-up trucks, etc so they would be unlikely to offer coverage.  Citi is discontinuing this coverage beginning in September or October this year IIRC.  You also need to check whether your CC has coverage in New Zealand as many don't offer coverage here, along with countries like Ireland, Jamaica, and a few others.  I know the Citi Premier/Prestige and Chase Sapphire Preferred/Reserve offer coverage here, but others exclude New Zealand.  Do you know what cards you have that you would be using?

One thing to keep in mind is that NZ has the AAC, which covers all medical expenses for individuals who are injured in accidents in New Zealand, so liability coverage is not necessary.

Liability also covers the other guy's car.

Offline nirc

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #261 on: April 07, 2022, 06:20:52 PM »
worth to visit NZ if only have 5 days -- arriving 6am on Tuesday (takes "2 days" to get there) and leaving 10pm on Sunday?

will stay in Hawaii for the following week, as it seems to be an excellent stopover idea for travel between USA-NZ.
« Last Edit: April 07, 2022, 08:25:24 PM by nirc »

Offline ual902

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #262 on: April 08, 2022, 11:24:25 AM »
worth to visit NZ if only have 5 days -- arriving 6am on Tuesday (takes "2 days" to get there) and leaving 10pm on Sunday?

will stay in Hawaii for the following week, as it seems to be an excellent stopover idea for travel between USA-NZ.

Queenstown and surrounding areas

Offline yochai

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #263 on: May 05, 2023, 02:04:47 AM »
I’m looking to go somewhere with my family of 4 kids under 7. I’m seeing very good UA saver availability to Auckland for July-August. Is NZ worth visiting this time of year with our family size/age? What would you recommend doing there?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #264 on: May 05, 2023, 09:31:46 AM »
I’m looking to go somewhere with my family of 4 kids under 7. I’m seeing very good UA saver availability to Auckland for July-August. Is NZ worth visiting this time of year with our family size/age? What would you recommend doing there?
I've heard it's better on the summer. In winter it's cold and rainy/snowy, so if you'd like to get away from the hot summer up north, it could be a nice alternative, but I've heard most of the fun activities are only available in their summer.

Offline justmeha

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #265 on: May 09, 2023, 01:50:11 PM »
I have 7 days in AUK (arriving Friday morning departing Thursday evening)

I will have to stay shabbos in Auckland, but I am wondering if it's a given that I spend the rest of my time in the South Island, or is there anything/ enough to do up north?

Would really appreciate any insight!

Offline YitzyS

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #266 on: May 09, 2023, 02:08:30 PM »
I have 7 days in AUK (arriving Friday morning departing Thursday evening)

I will have to stay shabbos in Auckland, but I am wondering if it's a given that I spend the rest of my time in the South Island, or is there anything/ enough to do up north?

Would really appreciate any insight!
Check out the wiki?

Offline justmeha

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #267 on: May 17, 2023, 08:47:10 AM »
Check out the wiki?
thanks. It's a bit clogged so I didn't notice the peice about the North Island.

Any experts want to Chime in, I understand the SI is usually preferred, but I was wondering if that is only in their summer or if it's worth doing the SI (if I only have time for one) over the NI even in their winter?

Offline shmelive

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #268 on: May 25, 2023, 12:11:27 AM »
thanks. It's a bit clogged so I didn't notice the peice about the North Island.

Any experts want to Chime in, I understand the SI is usually preferred, but I was wondering if that is only in their summer or if it's worth doing the SI (if I only have time for one) over the NI even in their winter?

Wiki is def clogged with Youtube vids!

I have a trip planned for the end of August. Seems like there's a lot to do in the SI even during the NZ winter. Looking forward to combing through all the pages here, and will share trip details after!

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #269 on: June 02, 2023, 03:25:32 PM »
After seeing the Jetlagged series on NZ, I finally decided to look more into it for an August trip. To preface, I know it's winter, I know it's cold, I know it's icy on the mountain passes, but that's when I can go.

As of now, the thought is to arrive in CHC Sunday night and leave from ZQN on Thursday morning. Is it too ambitious to try to see the Franz Josef glacier Monday, spend the night, drive the ZQN on Tuesday and go to the Milford Sound on Wednesday?

Background: traveling solo, no kids, I love outdoors/hiking/nature/etc, don't mind getting up early and to bed late, will be coming from SYD, so not much jetlag.

Offline YitzyS

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #270 on: June 02, 2023, 05:59:10 PM »
Wiki is def clogged with Youtube vids!

I fixed the wiki

Offline shmelive

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #271 on: June 02, 2023, 06:08:26 PM »
I fixed the wiki
Much better, thank you!

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #272 on: June 04, 2023, 02:09:55 AM »
Is it dumb to do the drive between Christchurch and Queenstown and not go all the way to the Franz Josef glacier?

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #273 on: August 18, 2023, 01:23:04 AM »

Offline shmelive

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #274 on: August 31, 2023, 08:49:46 PM »

Offline Yehoshua

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #275 on: September 01, 2023, 07:26:38 PM »

Offline tzvicoco

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #276 on: September 26, 2023, 11:38:07 AM »
Any hotel recommendations in Auckland? Will be there for shabbos at the tail end of a SI road trip. It doesn't seem like there are any options within walking distance of Chabad.

Offline shmelive

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #277 on: September 27, 2023, 09:31:41 AM »
Any hotel recommendations in Auckland? Will be there for shabbos at the tail end of a SI road trip. It doesn't seem like there are any options within walking distance of Chabad.
There isn't much in that area. We stayed at the Phoenix Palms Motel, which is a 40+ minute walk I believe. It wasn't great, but it was the closest to the shul we were going to.

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #278 on: September 27, 2023, 09:32:29 AM »
...tail end of a SI road trip.

What are your South Island plans?

Offline shlomi500

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Re: New Zealand Master Thread
« Reply #279 on: February 08, 2024, 06:17:15 AM »
planning 2 weeks in april new zeland 4 days in the north island, and 10 days in the south were keeping one day shabos,
any recomendations on rvs?
should we do doubtful sound or milford sound cruise?
has anyone did swiming with dolphins or a whale watching cruise?
any thing i must do?