Fine wine, great food, pretty cycle trails ... Mangere has it all, finds Catherine Smith.

Looking for some inspiration for your summer holidays? Readers have suggested some of their favourite NZ campgrounds.

It's time to start dreaming of your summer escape so we've rounded up some classic Kiwi baches to inspire you.

Danielle Wright learns to live with the artistic tastes of her children as they race around the Kid's Trail at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

The small historic Northland town of Russell has plenty to offer for a summer getaway, writes Susan Edmunds.

A wing and a prayer won't get you to the beach on time, says Liz Dobson

Beauty abounds where once there was sewage and sludge, finds Liz Light.

Southern shores of Manukau Harbour top popularity stakes.

Waiheke's sculpture trail is but a starting point for a day of admiring glorious views.

Our city has much to offer chefs with an Asian persuasion, writes Alexia Santamaria.

A winery tour by horseback is a good reintroduction to horse-riding, finds Claire McCall.

Pioneer brothers created a memorial to a wrecked ship, says Raewyn Court.

Paul Rush explores the pink-tinged, sculptured coasts of Coromandel.

Massive public demand for Christchurch red zone bus tours overloaded phone lines this morning.

Queenstown and Southern Lakes has been named one of Lonely Planet's top 10 regions to visit next year.

It's a sunny-ish day but some threatening clouds are lurking. I don't care, I'm keen to get outdoors.

East Cape's bush and beaches set off the superb artistry of its people, says Jim Eagles.

Danielle Wright takes a bike ride down memory lane, peddling past quaint caravans and kitsch holiday homes in Orewa.

Pain is an inevitable part of learning to surf - but it's worth it, writes Vicki Virtue.

There are so many fine picture books about New Zealand these days that it's often difficult to find a point of difference that makes one stand out from the others.

Few Aucklanders have ever heard of the 11km-long Oakley Creek, yet it runs from Hillsborough, through Mt Roskill, Mt Albert and finally Waterview.

Sarah Lawrence has a blast with her son on an high octane, laugh-filled ride across the harbour in a jet boat.

Rebecca Kamm heads for some eco-friendly R&R, topped up with gourmet eats.

Passengers may soon be able to board a luxury Orient Express-style train to travel the length of New Zealand - at a cost of up to $1500 a day.

For the first time in 200 years, New Zealand's unique giant parrots can be found in Wellington, writes Jim Eagles.

Today, we're in search of a secret beach up the hill into Glendowie.

Kirsten Warner takes a an East Coast Bays walk close to nature and to history.

This historic cottage has a grand tradition of welcoming guests, writes Don Donovan.

Kids can get a feel for life at sea in the Navy's hands-on museum Alex Tully.

Air New Zealand has been named the leading airline in Australasia for the third year running.