Hardest part is leaving

German tourist Chris Homeier. Photo / Janna Dixon

It's Auckland Anniversary Weekend, one of the final chances for tens of thousands of people to get out and enjoy the countryside for an extended time during summer.

So what better way to end our Herald in Summer coverage by asking one final tourist his thoughts on our country, and the highs and lows of his visit.

Name: Chris Homeier, 27.

Occupation: Sea freight operator.

Home country: Germany.

Length of stay in New Zealand: I have been working here for 10 months and I'm going back to Germany next week.

Parts of New Zealand visited: I lived in Auckland and took trips around the North Island on weekends. I toured the South Island for two weeks.

Is this your first visit? Yes.

Will you come again? Yes. I love it. It would be good to come back one day.

What have you enjoyed most? Everything was lovely. The weather is so much better than in Germany. The New Zealand winter is like our summer. The people are a lot more friendly and laid back.

What did you like least? I suppose the thing I liked least is that I have to go home.

What do you think about prices in New Zealand? When I first arrived and was spending euro it seemed to be cheaper but when I started working and earning dollars the salaries are not so good, so I think it is about the same.

What is your impression of New Zealanders? Everyone is really friendly. They were so helpful when I was travelling around - I didn't meet anyone who wasn't friendly.

What is New Zealand best known for? When I was at home I used to think about really different nature like water, mountains, skiing and sailing.

Are you aware of the major sporting event this year? If so, who do you think will win? Rugby World Cup. The All Blacks will win.

What have you done in New Zealand that you've never done before? I went surfing for the first time at Muriwai. I experienced walking on a lonely beach with no one else around. That was a new experience because beaches in Europe are always noisy.

If you could take one thing home with you from New Zealand what would it be? I would take the weather.