RV Travel Lifestyle

What a start to the 2023 year it has been across New Zealand, while the South Island bathed in sunshine enjoying a gorgeous summer the North Island was battered and washed away in many parts. Many homes and lives have been lost. There is so much to say and feel about what happened in West Auckland, East Cape and the Hawke’s Bay, but how to express it, and the magnitude of what we are collectively feeling, is difficult. I want to acknowledge here the confirmed victims of Cyclone Gabrielle on the day I write this: Marie Greene, George Luke, John Coates, Brendan Miller, two-year-old Ivy Collins, Shona Wilson, Susane Caccioppoli, Dave van Zwanen-berg VFF, Craig Stevens VFF, and the two souls whose identitification is being worked on. I know Kiwis are sharing…

Hi Robyn, I am writing to thank you for the book Guardians of Aotearoa which arrived yesterday, Friday. It came as a surprise when I opened it that I had actually won it. I am looking forward to sitting down and reading the stories of these inspiring people. Once again thank you for this fabulous book. By the way, I really enjoy reading your magazine and learning about the places I am unaware of and adding them to our bucket list, especially when we tour the South Island. I look forward to the next edition. Warm regards, Richard Passey ED: We do love giving things away Richard, reading is the gift of relaxation, which we love to share, keep entering each issue. Good morning NZTODAY RV Lifestyle We look forward to receiving your magazine and refer to it…

Wanganui/Whanganui? Both names are prominent on commercial and other public buildings in the town of almost 50,000 people. However, in 2009 the name of the Whanganui River was changed by the government to correctly reflect its Māori spelling, and in 2015 the name of the district was corrected to Whanganui by Minister Hon. Louise Upston. Since the first days of human habitation the 290km Whanganui River has played such an important part in the lives of both Māori and European as taonga (treasure) that it has formally been granted status with the rights of a legal person. From its source on Mt Tongariro to the Tasman Sea, it has been a vital communication link and a trade route to the central North Island. In 1892 Alexander Hatrick began a steamboat service…

Generally, the drive from Piopio to Eltham takes about 2.5 hours, but this trip began a further 1.5 hours away in Hamilton, and a huge number of road works, including the significant developments at Mt Messenger, added almost another hour to the journey. It’ll be a great drive when the work’s done, but in the meantime it’s a bit irksome. However, we reached our destination, Eltham’s Fonterra Cheese Bar, with half an hour to spare before closing time and stocked up with enough delicious product to see us through a fair few pre-dinner wine, cheese and cracker evenings. Eltham’s got some interesting dairy-related history, and its street art demonstrates the enormous talent of local artists, but we had another mission for the day, and that was to see Dawson Falls…

The narrow paved road winds up to Dawson Falls/Te Rere o Kapuni through a tunnel of green native forest. The road divides into two as it passes a large tree left standing in the middle of the road. As we travel higher and gain elevation the trees become shorter and the corners tighter. We squeak past one car – luckily not another camper as there is so little space. The road ends not far beyond the path down to Dawson Falls waterfall, Te Rere o Noke, and opens into a parking area below the National Park visitor centre where a tall Māori carved pou (post) graces the lawn. In the background Taranaki Maunga lies moodily under a blanket of cloud. Dawson Falls is the southern access point on Taranaki Maunga to…

What’s the recipe for creating a tempting private walk? I think it’s similar to baking a cake for a walker’s indulgence. First of all you need the right mix of ingredients: a good location, scenic values, some heritage, and a taste of nature. Secondly, effort is required with some ups and downs, some sweat and hopefully not too many tears. Lastly add in a good measure of home comforts such as hot showers, comfy beds and a good night’s sleep. The icing on the top the cake of any private walk is a tasty meal provided to enrich the experience. So with all these ingredients on offer at the new Matahuru Valley Walk, I cut the cake, take the first bite and begin to tuck in. I reach the Matahuru Valley…