I am going to NZ at the end if January for 5 weeks (hired a motor home) and travelling around.

Have got a couple of warriors and kiwi rugby jerseys was wondering whether that would be likely to open or close doors with union still so big there ?

Was also wondering if anyone who has been could recommend some places to visit etc

They really aren't too fussed over the difference in NZ , I know several people who have visited OZ many times and always stated they'd love to live out there , they've then visited Aotearoa , and all declared they've a new favourite place , the Kiwi's are a very laid back race , much less harsh than Aussies

If you find yourself in Lower Hutt ( just north of Wellington ) have a beer in Bedrocks , and if you bump into a 60 year old Pom in there playing pool , that'll be my brother , he's been there since 1975 , say hello

We've just come back from honeymoon and Auckland was one of the stop off points. Book into the sugar club for dinner (floor 51 of the skytower). Best experience we've had on a long time.

Thanks for that any more suggestions appreciated

Seriously you'll have a great time , hoping to get out there in Jan 2018 , but that will be a family visit , always wanted to do the motor home bottom to top trip , maybe when retired I'll get the chance

Milford Sound, Hanmner Springs.

Hi mate, I live in New Zealand, been here for over 11 years now and living down in Queenstown.

Most Kiwis will watch both codes of the game, there isn't the divide that you get back home. You'll be fine wearing what ever shirt you like.

Do you have a rough idea of what route/areas you plan to take? I'll give you a few suggestions of places to visit, things to see & do etc. Are you planning on doing any hiking, biking or fishing?

Hi Steve,

Plan is to start in Auckland . Want to go around coromandel peninsula, hot springs beach
TiritiI matamgi island,
Tongariro crossing for the day walk.

Hammer springs look good.

We want to do some paddle boarding, I am quite into bird watching and we would like to see whales.

We are both into walking.

Plan is to end up in Christchurch. We have 4 weeks from landing in Auckland to get to Christchurch.

Would not mind hiring bikes for a bit of cycling. As travelling in a motor home very flexible about an itinerary.

There are some beautiful walks around Coromandel to do. Pinnacles walk springs to mind, beautiful scenery and can be done in a day easily. Worth a drive to Mount Maunganui from there as well. It's a bit of a detour but you'll be able to loop back round to Rotroua & Taupo from there so you can go on and do the Tongariro Crossing. There's some great mountain biking to be done in Rotorua for all abilities. Plenty of hire shops too.

For Whale watching then Kaikoura would be the obvious choice, especially if you plan to finish in Christchuch as it is just a few hours away.

Nelson, Golden Bay and Abel Tasman national park are a must visit! Certainly at that time of the year. The Able Tasman track is also a must if you're both keen walkers. It'll take roughly 3 days to do the whole thing or you can just start at either end and and walk a bit if it. If you fancy something to eat and drink then visit Takaka township close by or drive a little further to the Mussel Inn in Onekaka. They brew all their own beer on site and have live music on most nights durning the summer month. They'll also let you park up outside and sleep in your campervan so you don't have to drive anywhere.

The West Coast - Punakaki (pancake rock), Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers, Lake Matheson are all worth a visit. The West Coast is worth the trip for the drive alone to be honest, it has to be one of the nicest drive on the planet.