Mountain Scene editor Ryan Keen shares an insider's guide to having fun on the cheap in New Zealand's premier resort town.

Surely I can't be the only New Zealander to arrive on Stewart Island and become hooked on bird watching?

Danielle Wright looks at the resurgence of Matariki events in this month-long celestial celebration.

Catherine Smith swaps the suburbs for the city and enjoys a foretaste of her dream future.

The historic 98-year-old inner-city pools open again after a $15.8m makeover.

Sophie Bond meets a man involved in preparing a feast for Maori New Year, which is marked by the rise of the star cluster Matariki and the sighting of the new moon.

Ewan McDonald gets a glimpse into how the other half lives when he checks in for a night of pop star-style pampering.

An ice rink in Auckland's Aotea Square is opening tonight, three days ahead of schedule.

The small town of Kawhia has plenty to offer those interested in our origins, finds Dionne Christian.

Stunning images of Aurora Australis have been captured from Invercargill.

Technology and travel go well together, as Danielle Wright discovers on the new QR code journey along the Auckland Waterfront.

'Weekend warrior' Andrew Alderson does a lot of thinking on the stamina-taxing Tour of NZ cycle race.

Paul Rush visits a homely thermal village and finds it a genuine cultural experience.

Michael Burgess grapples with Outward Bound's tradition of testing mettle.

Great food and wine - and no rowdies - make the day for Sharon Lundy.

Fieldays is the highlight of the country calendar, as Helen Twose discovers.

Skiers will be praying for snow at Mt Ruapehu this week amid fears the Turoa ski area may not be able to open on Saturday as scheduled.

Elizabeth Binning and her family encounter the great outdoors in the south.

Stewart Island is not completely predator free but compared with the mainland it is a paradise for our native birds, writes Jill Worrall.

A luxury New Zealand lodge has been judged as providing perfect service by an international travel magazine.

Rob Cox longs for a lake view and a big tub.

Karangahape Rd, on a sunny Sunday morning, has the look of a good time girl who's gone to bed in her makeup.

It's nearly time to get your skates on in the central city.

Don't let the cold weather keep you from the royal waves.

James Russell and some mates head to the 'Naki to hang 10 and tame the waves of the reefs.

Catherine Smith avoids her own garden by volunteering to help restore Rotoroa to a public green haven.

If you ever had any fear that birds dislike an urban environment, a walk through Epsom will dispel that notion.

Kauri are the kings of the New Zealand forest and these are some of the best places to see them ...

Danielle Wright and family take a tour bus to Cape Reinga and find themselves the main attraction.