Jane Jeffries looks forward to ski season at the North Island's great mountain.

Justine Tyerman has a few problems with her conscience on the Hollyford Track.

Music jams, history lessons, making new friends — the best things in life can be enjoyed for nix in Auckland, Diana Clement discovers.

Catherine Smith makes friends with feathered creatures great and small on a Habitat Tour.

Lovely harbour has a rich history and top fish and chips, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Fergus Blakiston finds time between lattes for snowboarding on a trip to Queenstown.

A literary tour of the West Coast takes Bronwyn Sell on a journey that traverses brooding landscapes.

A hike up and down a volcano gets Duncan Garner thinking he should really do more of this kind of exercise.

Head to Hawkes Bay for a weekend of culinary delights and top-notch drops, writes Shandelle Battersby.

Enjoy the meandering Kaiapoi River in this pretty little historic town, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Elisabeth Easther makes some scaly, slithery new friends.

Daily deals make it even easier to pick up what Ponsonby is putting down, writes Donna McIntyre.

Cathedral caves and ringing birdsong - the Catlins astound Jane Jeffries.

From wildlife to heritage to chocolate, Peter Feeney finds plenty of reasons to extend your visit to Dunedin.

Room escape games are taking the world by storm so Elisabeth Easther took a posse of puzzlers to find out what all the fuss is about. We promise, no spoilers.

Shandelle Battersby spends a night in the bush at Waitakere Estate.

This South Taranaki town has some top-notch dining and several great museums.

Shandelle Battersby roughs it, Auckland-style, in a luxury motorhome for a weekend.

Elisabeth Easther enjoys the serenity at a boutique hotel in the capital.

Chase the sun north to a proud town where Elisabeth Easther finds a warm welcome and a fascinating history.

A Central Otago boutique hotel with a conscience mixes pleasure with wellbeing, discovers Jesse Mulligan.

Te Papa never does anything by halves. The new exhibit, 'Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War', to mark the centenary of the Gallipoli landing, is an extraordinary event.

A view from above takes a Tongariro National Park experience to new heights.

With the sheep and the All Blacks link there are few places as true blue South Island, says Elisabeth Easther.

Andrew Alderson falls hard for the romance of Chateau Tongariro's historic and literary atmosphere.

A visit to the thermal hot pools at Hanmer Springs should be an essential stop on any South Island road trip, writes Winston Aldworth.

Michelle Coursey finds the ideal way to get away from it all in the peaceful haven that is Kawhia.

Explore the River Trails, embrace the lake and let the young ones play freely while you unwind — this is old school cool, says Elisabeth Easther.

Abel Tasman's coastal track meanders past some of our most beautiful bays and beaches.

Daniel and Adele Le Brun give their tips on what to do when you're in their neighbourhood.