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-   -   NEW ZEALAND EXPERTS (https://www.fodors.com/community/australia-and-the-pacific/new-zealand-experts-406920/)

mcrogers Mar 4th, 2004 06:16 PM

NEW ZEALAND EXPERTS
 
Who are they on this forum? I want to do a search for their name and get all the information that I can. Nominate yourself, if it fits.

wlzmatilida Mar 4th, 2004 06:34 PM

Hi McRogers,

Well, I've got a certificate on the office wall from the NZ Tourism Board that sez I'm a Specialist..will that do?
:)

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist

mcrogers Mar 4th, 2004 06:55 PM

That will definitely do. I am trying to help my 21 year old son plan a trip to New Zealand. Currently he is studying in Australia, and has limited access to the internet, so he doesn't do a lot of surfing the net. He plans to go to New Zealand alone at the end of April, probably South Island, and his primary goal is to fish, but loves the outdoors, hiking, taking in all the beauty. So he needs hostel info, trout fishing info, and good sights information. Do you have a text where you have addressed a similar itinerary?

mari129 Mar 5th, 2004 05:42 AM

I am also looking for information to New Zealand. We are a group of 14 going on a cruise which stops in 7 different cities in New Zealand and are looking to arrange for private tours. Could you please let me know about your services.
Thank you.
Mari129

wlzmatilida Mar 5th, 2004 06:07 AM

Hi McRogers!

here's a link for your son that lists hostels all over the So. Island.

http://www.southisland-nz.worldweb.c...toStay/Hostels

As far as fishing, you can hardly go anywhere in NZ without falling into a stream, so he'll be in Fish Heaven. He can do everything you mentioned, hiking, fishing and sightseeing in the Mount Cook region. The guy I've used in the past, Steve Carey is located in Twizel www.fishnhunt.co.nz/trout.carey.htm

He's a fishing guide and apparently they even have a "backcountry hut" which sounds perfect for a college student. Me, I like my fish served on a plate with a little lemon and a nice bottle of Sav. Blanc! :)

I would strongly suggest that he head for Queenstown where all of the above can be done - and more! He can bungey jump there, pan for gold in Arrowtown, check out the local watering holes (good pizza at "The Cow") - it's a young, hip town with alot of energy.

Hope this is helpful!


Mari, please feel free to email me at [email protected].

Regards,

Melodie
Certified Kiwi Specialist


Kiwi_acct Mar 5th, 2004 01:14 PM

McRogers

Just a quick bit of info for you. The trout fishing season ends on the 30th of April so your son may like to make sure he does his fishing at the begionning of his visit. The Salmon fishing season will unfortunately have already ended as that ends March 31.

Make sure he gets a licence before he starts fishing or he may lose his fishing tackle and be landed with a financial penalty.

In the South Island you can't move for rivers and streams so there are boundless opportunities for fishing especially dry fly fishing.

There are fishing guides ($$ to $$$$) who can set him up for fishing or of course he could go it alone though he will need transport to get him out of the city and to the rivers.

Melodie has certainly provided some good links to start a search. Another one you might want to try is purenz.com it has some great links to trout fishing sites.

Melodie suggests he base himself around Queenstown. That is a good suggestion as it is the centre of the tourist industry for the South Island and is a great place to base yourself with many many things to see and do. Plus the nightlife in Queenstown is good and lively.

Good Luck

Steve

wlzmatilida Mar 8th, 2004 12:56 PM

Steve,

thanks for the "save" on suggesting www.purenz.com....I can't believe I forgot that one..don't tell on me!

Melodie

JADFEL Mar 17th, 2004 07:47 AM

If he enjoys the outdoors, the South Island is definitely the place. Fiordorland has amazing day trips or camping options and there are backpacker accomodations in Te Anau with transportation, by van, to this area.

Also if he is in Queenstown and heads out to Glenorchy he can catch the start of the Routeburn track. A person we met on the tramp said there was great trout fishing there as well.

bbbenz Mar 22nd, 2004 08:20 PM

We love hiking, biking, running, diving, and drinking wine.

If you were to suggest a two week trip filled with the best weather in New Zealand, what two weeks of the year would you suggest?

Looking to plan something next year.

Brian

Kiwi_acct Mar 23rd, 2004 06:07 PM

If you are coming to New Zealand and want the best settled weather I would normally suggest February. (though this past one was the worst in about 50 years, lightening can't strike twice eh?).

The school holidays will be over and the hottest most settled weather is usually about this time.

Book ahead if you want to use any of the more popular walking tracks.

Refer to the website purenz.com for assistance on itineries and bookings.

Good Luck

Steve


bbbenz Mar 31st, 2004 06:11 AM

Thanks Steve, When you say the hottest weather in Feb., what would we typically expect? What should we pack?

Thanks again, Brian

Kiwi_acct Mar 31st, 2004 05:59 PM

Hi Brian

Hottest is a relative term in New Zealand, insofar as we do not get nearly as hot as Australia. i.e it is VERY rare for the temp to hit 40 celsius and even then it is only in a few localised areas in Canterbury and the East coast of the North Island.

Normally in February you can expect the temperature top hover around the mid 20's celsius. If you are anywhere in the North Island north of Taupo you can expect humidity to come with the temp.

It is not uncommon in Auckland to have humidity in the 80% to 90% range which can get a bit sticky if you do not have aircon.

Overall New Zealand is fairly temperate climate wise, which is not suprising when we have an ocean on one side and a sea on the other, and no-one is more than about 70km from the sea.

Dress wise I would suggest layers. So that when it heats up you can peel them off.

In the South Island especially on the west coast and in the far south it is cooler in February and it pays to have a shower proof jacket handy.

If you are going bush walking follow the recommendations of the department of conservation office and or the visitor centre in the area you are in. They know the local conditions best and can advise upon them.

I think the department of Conservation website is doc.govt.nz

Hope this helps.

Steve


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