Elisabeth Easther goes to the birds.

Glamping allows you the best of both worlds, writes Catherine Smith.

Volunteers on Motuihe Island get a big tick for community work and, as Debbie Griffiths finds, they are rewarded with an amazing family day out.

Nature's treasures keep drawing people south to the Teviot Valley, finds Elisabeth Easther.

A castle, gardens and penguins give the student town of Dunedin a more refined air, finds Sam Wicks.

Alexia Santamaria goes right to the source, delving into Marlborough's foodie secrets.

Elisabeth Easther tackles the Waitakeres' Fairy Falls Walk.

You don't have to leave the country to feel you've had a break, writes Pamela Wade.

Our capital city has more restaurants and cafes per capita than New York. Delaney Mes tries as many of them as she can.

Winston Aldworth and his family check into a Wellington hotel with capital views of the harbour.

Maungaturoto, Paparoa, Pahi, Tinopai, Matakohe, Ruawai and Tokatoka are a hop, skip and a jump from each other, and Elisabeth Easther found plenty in these tiny towns to delight.

Louise Richardson's kids are so charmed by scenery and history they manage to put down their devices for a while.

Danielle Wright introduces her children to golfing holidays in Taupo.

There's much more to this small and unpretentious town than you might imagine, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Elisabeth Easther seeks out some shade in the heart of Mt Eden.

This mysteriously neglected side of the Manukau has plenty to offer the curious, writes Sarah Ell.

Danielle Wright enjoys the magic of Balloons Over Waikato in Hamilton.

Ellie Mitchell spends a night at a well-located hotel in central Auckland.

Andrew Alderson and Junior treat their queen to a Mother's Day break on the Northern Explorer to National Park.

Rosalie France explores National Park without snow.

In a corner of the Auckland Botanic Gardens, tucked away from the main walkways and thoroughfares, is the serenely beautiful New Zealand native forest walk.

Cruising the scenic South Island in a super flash motorhome requires more than a steady hand on the wheel, writes Mark Meredith.

An upstream river paddle is fun and games on a budget for all the family, writes Rob Cox.

Steeped in natural wonders, the south Waikato town pours Elisabeth Easther the best water she's ever sipped.

Women outweigh the men in Queenstown's first official marathon, says Rachel Grunwell.

Keep your cool, enjoy the views and let other drivers get past you, writes campervan-convert Jarrod Wright.

Natalie Akoorie finds she's a little wobbly on her sea legs but her husband gets to enjoy the rich sealife of the Poor Knights Islands.

Elisabeth Easther takes the boys on the road down to Raglan for a weekend.

Elisabeth Easther enjoys the grotto and more at a lakeside retreat in Taupo.

The 'Island of Weka' is full of natural beauty, says Elisabeth Easther.