Matt Philp meets some of the creative talent behind Nelson's upcoming winter festival season.

Travelling the length of the country by train is a unique way to enjoy New Zealand.

Elisabeth Easther finally knocks off the other half of the Timber Trail.

Danielle Wright finds sweet treats at an old dairy factory in the Waikato.

Get close to bush, rivers and hills on these two-wheeler tracks.

Justine Tyerman saves on the international airfares and finds luxury accommodation just 45 minutes' drive from Auckland for a family reunion.

Thousands visit the ice in this world-famous beauty spot, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Leah McLennan looks at what's big and what's new on the Otago skifields.

Nothing re-awakens the Scot inside you like the aroma of a smoky whisky, finds Peter Feeney.

No matter what the weather's doing, Pamela Wade finds entertainment in Southland and Central Otago.

Put off by chairlift queues? Join the club, says Ben Taylor.

Patrice Gaffaney enjoys the pleasures of a day-long TranzAlpine rail trip through the scenic wonders of the Southern Alps.

Rachel Grunwell offers tips on how to survive taking the kids on a ski holiday.

Being voted the best beach in New Zealand has its pitfalls, discovers Danielle Wright.

Ewan McDonald completes a personal triathlon in the Far North.

Prehistory's meatiest monsters are hanging out with nature's most ethereal critters - butterflies, writes Dionne Christian.

It's no wonder people rave about the beauty of this place, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Paul Rush visits a site where Maori legend and ancient architecture collide to remind us of our shared heritage.

Shandelle Battersby flies Stewart Island Flights to New Zealand's third island.

From heliskiing at Mt Hutt to the fun, family atmosphere of the intimate club fields, Canterbury's skifields offer much within an easy drive from Christchurch.

A bird's eye view is your reward when you take to the skies above Waiheke, discovers Helen van Berkel.

From flowers to knitted veges, Hamilton is a garden city, writes Danielle Wright.

Elisabeth Easther finds this Bay of Plenty farming hub is well worth exploring.

The Garden City's slow but steady rebirth is welcomed by Megan Singleton.

Waitomo's 'starlit' caves spark Alex Robertson's curiosity.

200 years after NZ's first service, some churches are riding a resurgence in which theology and pastoral care merge with pragmatic acceptance of sex, booze and rock’n’roll.

Elisabeth Easther took a quirky rail trip and has been singing the little engines' praises ever since.

There's no excuse for the kids to be bored these holidays with heaps to do around the city.

Elisabeth Easther visits a small North Island town that's full of iron and ... more iron.