A few days in pristine Paihia is scarcely adequate to revisit all the area has to offer, says Isobel Marriner.

A boutique microbrewery and Te Puke's big kiwifruit are two local attractions that have caught the attention of Lonely Planet's travel writers.

Naomi Rowley pulls on the wetsuit and braves the waves at a surf camp.

Claire Trevett saddles up and travels from Rawene to Pouto Point the old-fashioned way.

Now rapidly developing as a tourist destination in its own right, Akaroa retains a definite Gallic flavour.

One moment, I'm floating face-down in the water on the lookout for any sign of Flipper. The next, 40-odd dusky dolphins overtake me