KEY POINTS:
Finding enough to fill 1001 Best Things to See and Do in New Zealand wasn't a problem for author Peter Janssen. His difficulty was narrowing the entries down.
Some well-known spots didn't make the cut, but the book still contained 1032 things to see and do, much more than its promised 1001.
This holiday season, Janssen had no shortage of places he'd return to.
His favourites, selected during six months of writing and research, admittedly tend towards the off-beat and stretched throughout the country.
Woof Woof the Talking Tui at Whangarei's Native Bird Recovery Centre, who mimics teacher Robert Webb - down to his Kiwi accent - was among the highlights in the north.
The moonshine museum and country music festival in Gore boosted Janssen's view of the Southland town.
"I thought it was an ordinary country town, parochial. It's quite the opposite actually," he said.
Many Gore attractions were awarded the top-rated three stars in Janssen's system, indicating "worth the trip".
Two stars mean "worth a detour" and one star "if you are passing".
Janssen bestowed one star on the Christchurch Cathedral and Square, saying it lacked a buzz and had too much hard landscaping.
"Part of the problem is there's nothing like picture theatres, cafes, as opposed to you going to something like the Octagon in Dunedin."
Shantytown, near Greymouth, was left out because "if you as a tourist turned up there and paid your money, you would have been really disappointed," Janssen said.
One of the book's points of difference was as a guide of things to see and do rather than including advice on accommodation and restaurants.
Tourism Industry Association chief executive Fiona Luhrs said the guide, and others like it, were good for domestic tourism.
"There's just so much that's been happening that your average New Zealander, unless they're in the tourism industry, would have no show with keeping up."
She said independently produced guides, rather than pamphlets filled with paid advertising, provided quality advice to travellers.
A Herald review described the book as a "comprehensive catalogue of the country's most interesting buildings, places and events" but highlighted the absence of a set of maps.
Hitting the spot down in Moonshine Country
Looking for a holiday destination? Give a thought to three of author Peter Janssen's top picks:
Gore, Southland:
Discovering the Gore Golden Guitar Awards, Eastern Southland Gallery, Hokonui Fashion Awards, Hokonui Moonshine Museum and great trout fishing changed Janssen's perception of Gore. "I thought it was an ordinary country town, parochial. It's quite the opposite actually."
Gunn's Camp, Hollyford Valley, Fiordland:
Staying in these 1950s Public Works huts is like stepping back in time, says Janssen. "There's no power, no cellphones and no telephones. If you want to stay there, you have to write them a letter."
Native Bird Recovery Centre, Whangarei:
Despite its name, the centre cares for all injured birds. Janssen's favourite is Woof Woof the talking Tui, who mimics his teacher, Robert Webb - right down to his Kiwi accent.
