full itinerary about my road trip around the north island

from 26/12 to 31/12

Northland

·         Mangawhai Clifftop Walk Mangawhai Beach, Mangawhai, Kaipara District, Northland. The walk starts around 3/4 of the way down Mangawhai Beach itself.  If you are standing in the car park, head left basically.  It'll take around 15 minutes (or so) to reach the DOC track.

·         Pataua South Road, Pataua, Whangarei, Northland. You'll find Pataua South Road off Whangarei Heads Road, and the car park is down Mahanga Road. 

·         Piroa Falls - Waipu Gorge Scenic Reserve

Waipu Gorge Road, Waipu, Whangarei, Northland. As part of the Waipu Gorge Scenic Reserve, you’ll find this signposted on State Highway 1 by the Brynderwyns. Head up the Waipu Gorge Road until you reach the carpark (about 7km up).

·         Mimiwhangata Coastal Farm Park Mimiwhangata Road, Whananaki, Whangarei, Northland To get there, the Mimiwhangata Road is after the Ngahau Bay turn-off.  You'll find parking at the end of the road (behind Okupe Beach by the toilets).  You'll then need to walk around 200 metres to the Mimiwhangata Beach from there (allow ten minutes as it's over a small hill) and it's signposted.

·         AH Reed Memorial Kauri Park Whareora Road, Whangarei, Northland

·          Hundertwasser Art - Toilets / Museum Gillies Street, Kawakawa Far North, Northland

·         Russell?

·         Mission Station - Kerikeri Stone Store 246 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri, Far North, Northland

·         Discoverers Garden Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri, Far North, Northland

·         Matauri Bay Road, Matauri Bay, Far North, Northland

·         Ninety Mile Beach Kaka Street, Ahipara, Far North, Northland

·         Cape Reinga - Walks

·         Koutu Boulders Waione Road, Koutu, Far North, Northland. Head approximately 6kms towards Kaikohe from Opononi. The Koutu Loop Road will be on your left, follow this around and where the seal ends it’s another km further to take you to Waione Road. Approximately 100 metres further (past the macrocarpa trees on the corner) park on the left by the old cattle yards. You can access the beach from here.

·         Kai Iwi Lakes Domain Road, off Kai Iwi Lakes Road, Kaipara District, Northland. Park near Kai Iwi Lake at the track marker, near the Kai Iwi Lakes Road/Domain Road

·         Waipoua Forest - Tane Mahuta .State Highway 12, Donnellys Crossing, Far North, Northland. Signposted, off State Highway 12

·         Pouto Lighthouse - Pouto Point Pouto Road, Pouto, Kaipara District, Northland . Getting to Pouto Point | Drive to the end of Pouto Road until you reach the beach

From 01/01 to 13/01

Coromandel

·         New Chums Beach, Whangapoua, Eastern Beaches, Coromandel Peninsula. Drive to Whangapoua Beach, then get walking!

·         Opito Bay - Opito Point Pa Opito Bay Road, Opito Bay, Eastern Beaches, Coromandel Peninsula

·         Hot Water Beach Road, Hot Water Beach, Mercury Bay, Coromandel Peninsula

·         Cathedral Cove Grange Road, Hahei, Mercury Bay, Coromandel Peninsula

·         Orokawa Bay, Waihi, Coromandel Peninsula

·         Marthas Gold Mine – Waihi Within walking distance from the township

·         Karangahake Gorge State Highway 2, Waikino, Waihi, Coromandel PeninsulA. The car park is clearly signposted off State Highway 2.

Bay of Plenty        

·         Haiku Pathway - Main Road, Katikati, Bay of Plenty The Haiku Pathway walk begins just by the bridge as you enter Katikati or from the park walkway beside Robert Harris on the main street. 

·         Mt Maunganui Hot Saltwater Pools Adams Ave, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga-Mt Maunganui, Bay of Plenty

·         Kohi Point Walk Whakatane to Ohope, Whakatane, Bay of Plenty You can access the Kohi Point Track from either Ohope Beach, or Whakatane.

·         Otarawairere Bay Otarawairere Road, Ohope, Whakatane, Bay of Plenty, Via car, head along to Otarawairere Road and walk around 30 minutes down the trail, from the car park to the beach

·         Tarawera Falls River Road, Kawerau, Bay of Plenty Head to River Road then over the Waterhouse Street bridge and onto the forest itself. Turn right at the intersection onto Tarawera Road.  It will take a good 30 minutes to drive to the forest on a dirt track to the entrance to the Falls. The forest roads will firstly signpost the turn off to the Tawarewa Lake (another walk), but for the Falls continue on until you reach the car park.

·         Zorb Rotorua Cnr Western Rd & State Highway 5, Ngongotaha, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty

·         Kerosine Creek Old Waiotapu Road, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty Approximately 30km south of Rotorua (just south of Lake Rotowhero) and head down Old Waiotapu Road).  2.2km along the forestry road, stop on the side of the road and you'll see a path heading downstream

·         2. Enjoy the Hot Thermal Springs in Rotorua “In Rotorua all you can do here is eat, sleep, and spa,” our waiter told us one evening. Indeed, when you visit Rotorua, the thermal experience is everywhere.  It steams up from the pavements; there are geysers fields,  mud pools, fumaroles and hot springs.This thermal activity makes itself known in every corner of the city, and is the reason for the area’s famed sulphur scent.  And one of the best thermal experiences you can have is at the world renowned Polynesian Spa, voted as a world top 10 spa

·         6. The Burried Village in Rotorua The explosion of Mt Terewaka over a century ago burried the whole village, including what was considered a natural wonder of the world, the pink and white terraces.And before the recent earthquake in Christchurch earlier this year, it was New Zealand’s biggest natural disaster

·         Waiotapu Stream - FREE Hot Springs, Hot Pools State Highway 5 (between Rotorua and Taupo), Rotorua, Bay of Plenty South of Rotorua (about 40 km) you'll find the signs for the Waiotapu Loop Road.  Depending on which entrance you take, keep driving (past the Waiotapu Thermal Park if necessary) and stop at the small bridge.  Head down the banks and you've reached the secret spot that is often spoken about, but not often visited

Central Plateau

·         Aratiatia Rapids - Aratiatia Dam Aratiatia Road, Taupo, Central Plateau You’ll find the Aratiatia Dam off State Highway 5.  Once on Aratiatia Road itself, you'll find it by the bridge around 5kms further down the road. 

·         Spa Park - Huka Falls Walkway Spa Road (or alternatively Huka Falls Road), Taupo,

·         Taupo Bungy 202 Spa Road, Taupo, Central Plateau

·         Taupo Great Lake Walkway Lake Terrace, Taupo, Central Plateau Can be walked in either direction at the city end of Lake Terrace (from the harbour entrance) or Wharewaka Street out by Taupo Airport.

Taranaki

·         Mokau Beach Mokau, Northern Taranaki, Taranaki

·         Pukerangiora Scenic Reserve - Where Ghosts Walk Waitara Road, Waitara, Northern Taranaki

·         Take Waitara Road off the main road to Waitara itself (from New Plymouth).  You'll find the reserve signposted, close to the banks of the Waitara River.

·         Mount Egmont - Northern Slopes Egmont Village Egmont Road, Rahiri, New Plymouth, Taranaki You will find the turn off to the northern slopes signposted on Junction Road (not far from New Plymouth in the Egmont Village).  16kms along this road you'll find the DOC information centre, right on the mountain

·         The Forgotten World Highway State Highway 43 (East Road), Stratford to Taurmarunui, Stratford, Taranaki Drive from Stratford to Taumarunui along the Forgotten World Highway.  This is a glorious stretch along State Highway 43 with bush clad hills, tucked away townships and oozing with history and personality.This is easily considered a day trip as the 155 km SH 43 Highway weaves through sub-tropical rainforests and more than 30 noted sites of significant interest. It will take about 3 hours to drive or more (we recommend more so you can stop off and explore along the way).  You'll head over mountain saddles, past farmland, forest and native bush, the one-way tunnel and along a river gorge.  Pretty awesome viewing.Stop by and say hello to the locals at the Whangamomona Pub (a coal mining town from yesteryear) and see the remains of the old flour mill and river boat landings. They are a friendly bunch.  Or, get adventurous and trek The Bridge to Somewhere trail.At Stratford and Taumarunui, the official "Forgotten Highway" is marked with a large display board and there's teal/yellow signs dotted along the way showing points of significance.  In Stratford, the Highway starts from the roundabout (Broadway and Regan Street corner). You can access Mt Damper Falls from this route too.

·         The Glockenspeil Broadway Road, Stratford, Taranaki On Stratford's main Broadway Road, see a "live" automated puppet performance in the clock tower.  Showing several times day as the Glockenspeil clock strikes 10am, 1pm and 3pm (and sometimes 7pm too), the shutter doors open to reveal Romeo and Juliet.

·         Dawson Falls Manaia Road, Stratford, Taranaki

·         Hollard Gardens 1686 Upper Manaia Rd, Kaponga, Stratford, Taranaki

Manawatu-Wanganui

·         Te Apiti Windfarm - Wind Turbines Saddle Road, Ashhurst, Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui

·         Foxton Beach - Manuwatu Estuary Holben Parade, Foxton Beach, Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui

Wellington

Wairarapa

·         Putangirua Pinnacles Scenic Reserve Cape Palliser Road, Martinborough, Wairarapa Drive 13 km along Whangaimoana Road from the Lake Ferry turn-off (about an hours drive from Martinborough).

·         Castlepoint Scenic Reserve Masterton Castlepoint Road, Masterton, Wairarapa

Hawkes Bay

·         Ocean Beach - Hawkes Bay Ocean Beach Road, Hastings, Hawkes Bay

·         Ocean Havelock Ocean Beach Rd, 4294, Nuova Zelanda

·         Napier

East Coast

·         Rere Falls - Rere Rock Slide Wharekopae Road, Gisborne, East Coast On Wharekopae Road, around 50 minutes drive from Gisborne (and around 10 minutes past the Eastwoodhill Arboretum

·         Tolaga Bay Tolaga Bay Wharf at sunset. At 660 metres long, this claims to be the longest wharf in the Southern Hemisphere.

·         Cooks Cove

·         East Cape Lighthouse E Cape Rd, East Cape 4087, Nuova Zelanda SUNRISE!!!

·         Papatea Bay

Waikato

·         Te Waihou Walkway - Blue Springs Whites Road, Putaruru, South Waikato, Waikato The walkway starts from Whites Road (although there is another access upstream from Leslie Road, which would be better if you are hauling a kayak with you and much faster by foot)!  On Leslie Road, the carpark is at the bottom of the hill on the right.

·         Ruakuri Caves - Waitomo Caves, Natural Tunnel Tumutumu Road, Waitomo, South Waikato, Waikato The Ruakuri Caves are part of the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve (more than 100 hectares of DOC land) and you’ll find the entrance about 4 km from Waitomo Village, sign posted at the roundabout.

·         Marokopa Falls Te Anga Road, Piripiri, South Waikato, Waikato These falls are just a few minutes drive along Te Anga Road (which is quite some 25kms from Waitomo), so best to make the most of your visit and explore them all: Piripiri Caves and the Mangapohue Natural Bridge

·         Mangapohue Natural Bridge Te Anga Road, Piripiri, South Waikato, Waikato

·         Ocean Beach - Kawhia Ocean Beach Road, Kawhia, South Waikato, Waikato Follow Ocean Beach Road through regenerated forest to the coast

·         Bridal Veil Falls - Waireinga Waterfall Kawhia Road, Raglan, Waikato Head past Te Mata then turn left on to Kawhia Road (it's a no exit road). Keep going and you will see the Bridal Veil Falls carpark.

·         raglan beaches:

·         Manu Bay 8km west from Raglan town lies the world-famous surf break Manu Bay. The long, peeling left-hand break, said to offer one of the longest rides in the world, featured in the 1966 surfing film Endless Summer. Ride the waves or grab a grandstand view of the action.

·         Te Kopua Beach Cross the footbridge from town to this popular family spot. Swim in the calm waters of the estuary or indulge in Raglan’s most famous summer pastime — taking a leap from the footbridge.

·         Ngarunui (Ocean) Beach Located 5km west of town this wide expanse of black sand beach lends itself to lazy beach walks and picnics in the sand. It’s also a popular spot for surfing, bodyboarding and swimming. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards during high season. Access from Wainui Road or Riria Kereopa Memorial Drive.

·         Whale Bay Just a little further on from Manu Bay sit the challenging breaks of Whale Bay and Indicators. Not recommended for beginners or the faint hearted. If surfing’s not your thing take a walk along the rocks and enjoy the picturesque scenery. Bring a picnic and watch the spectacular sunsets.

·         Hamilton

·         Back to auckland!!!!!! 13 evening or 14late morning

how to write a cv for new zealand

the trick is:

keep it simple

kiwis are easy going and they won't spend much time reading your cv.

one page is enough. 

Choose the field you wanna work in, and write the experience you have JUST in that field.

for instance, if you are looking for a job as waiter, don't write that you have worked as painter for 2 years, cause no one cares! just write about the jobs as waiter.

your picture is not relevant, your nationality neither, write what you have studied just if it's related to that job.

don't write too much on the job description, if your potential employer wants to know more, he will ask you about it during the interview.

Some employers may want the reference from your previous employers, so write their contacts if you can.

when you start working in new zealand, just write on your cv your kiwi experience!

it's really easy to find a hospitality job in new zealand, and the best thing is that you can choose where you want to work, you don't need to accept any job, paid with the minimal wage (of course, if you have no experience and a bad level of english, you can't choose).

when i arrived to nz, it took me 2 months to find a job. i was desperate and feeling miserable cause all my friends were working and i was the only one jobless. i was wondering what was wrong with me, why no one was calling me for an interview. Then someone told me that my cv wasn't good for this country. 

as soon as i changed my cv, i applied for 10 more jobs and 4 of them contacted me back for an interview!

this is an example of cv. i hope it will help you!

NAME

ADDRESS – Auckland

Phone 0224108xxx E-mail xxx@gmail.com

work experience:

• FROM JANUARY 2014 (FULL TIME JOB)

xx woodfire pizza – Auckland Hospitality

Pizza chef in a take-away shop.

• NOVEMBER 2013- DECEMBER 2013 (FULL TIME JOB)

xxx - Auckland Clothing - Retail

Shop assistant in a big shop which sells fashion clothes for women, men and children. SOLO POSITION

• OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2013 (CASUAL JOB)

xxx WOODFIRE PIZZA – Auckland. Hospitality

Kitchen hand – pizza backer- cashier

• JUNE 2001- NOVEMBER 2001

xxx (Domodossola - Italy) Lingerie and swimwear - Retail

• JUNE 2000- MAY 2001

xxx(Brig, Switzerland) Hospitality

Bar staff in a small shop inside the train station.

- make coffees

- serve hot and cold beverages and food to take away

- prepare sandwiches

- cash handling

PERSONAL SKILLS AND COMPETENCES.

• Always on time

• Great organization and troubleshooting skills

• Good communication & customer service

• Can work in a team but also independently

• Work well under pressure and meet deadlines

• Skilled in using the right process for cash, credit cards, or other types of payment

to do list after i arrive to new zealand, with a working holiday visa

i'm pretty sure you will arrive to nz by plane =) the airport is well linked to the city center and  you can catch a bus. the ticket is 16$ and you can buy it on board (cash), or online here. 

you also need a place to stay! 
i suggest you a hostel, at least for the first weeks, it's cheap and it will help you to meet a lot of people to share your adventure with. there are so many different hostels in nz, usually they are nice and cosy, the only big big big big problem is that they don't have a good internet connection and some hostels ask you to pay a fee to use internet. 
to find a hostel, go here:
 http://www.hostelworld.com
 http://www.hostelbookers.com
http://www.stayatbase.com
(i recommend you the newton lodge, auckland in cross street, cheap and clean -i've been living there for 5 months)
https://www.airbnb.com if you wanna rent a room in a flat, but prices are more like hotels
http://www.homestaybooking.com if you wanna live with a local family
http://www.aucklandhomestay.org/ same (family)

before you start looking for a room in a flat, i suggest you to wait. explore the city, see which are your favorite suburbs. The flats in the Auckland CBD are really small and expensive. You might have the chance of living in a beautiful house with garden, bbq and swimming pool, for the same price, but maybe 10 min by bus from your school or workplace. backpackers live in the cbd usually, they have no idea that living out of the cbd is better and flats are much more better! that's why kiwis live far from the city.. they are not stupid, they enjoy what's around!!

You also need to open a bank account. Go to any bank you find on your way! conditions are pretty much the same. I have anz bank. 
The bank account is important if you want to work in nz, cause wages are paid through bank account. probably you will also pay your rent through the bank. and if you go to any shop, to buy anything, even something that costs 1$, you will probably pay with your card. cash are not popular in nz! remember the word EFTPOS, is how kiwis call BANCOMAT. 

If you want to work, you also need an IRD number. go to the post office to apply for it and you will receive it in a few weeks. You will pay tax with the ird number and in april you can check online if the amount of what you paid is right, or if you can receive a tax back.

You need a sim card!the main mobile companies are 2degrees, spark, skinny, vodafone. the sim card is free (some hostels will give you one) and you can buy a monthly combo to have calls/txt/data included. I use 2degrees and with 20$ per month I get unlimited txt, 500mb of data and 100 min of call (not sure about the calls, maybe are 60 min? don't know, I just txt)

You need a medical insurance, cause if anything happens, you need to pay for doctors, hospital, medicines and so on. A consultation with a general practitioner, for non resident, is about 80$. Medicines are more expensive for non resident. If you have a medical insurance, you will get a refound of your health expenses. I suggest you the southern chross. they have different options, for the different kind of visa.  

Last thing you need is to find a job! I will talk about this topic another time...

stay tuned =)

how to find a job in nz

the best way to find a job in nz is to be already in the country. 

send cvs online, or drop them directly where we would like to work.

the best websites are 

www.trademe.co.nz that is useful for everything (buy and sell, or rent a room)

www.seek.co.nz  just jobs

http://www.backpackerboard.co.nz/work_jobs/index.php you find everything that a real backpacker needs

http://www.careers.govt.nz/ here you can find jobs and some info about wages/availability and so on

www.seasonaljobs.co.nz  
http://www.rwr.co.nz/ 
http://seasonalwork.co.nz
http://www.anyworkanywhere.com/jobslist.php jobs all around the world
http://www.helpx.net/ work in exchange of accommodation

www.backpackerboard.co.nz – Plan and discuss your trip, look up activities and advice, and learn about the requirements for a working holiday.
 www.bunac.org – This international organisation offers working holidays for young people and students and provides support and advice throughout the holiday.
 www.stayatbase.com – Base Backpackers lets you book a bed or get information on travel and work.
 www.worknewzealand.org.nz – IEP (International Exchange Programs) is a non-profit organisation specialising in bringing working holiday makers to New Zealand and assisting them with their travel and working needs.
www.internships.co.nz – Offers internships to students and young professionals in companies throughout New Zealand.
www.anyworkanywhere.com – Information on working holidays in New Zealand.
www.aupairlink.co.nz Work with children, earn money and travel as an Au Pair in the most beautiful country in the world!
www.job.co.nz – This portal lists jobs in all areas, with legal and job hunting advice.
www.jobcafe.co.nz – Search by location or industry.
 www.jobstuff.co.nz – Search jobs by region, industry or agency.
 www.jobzone.co.nz – Jobs of all kinds, including casual and holiday work.
 www.newkiwis.co.nz – Is a service for new workers and residents in New Zealand. You can register as a jobseeker, put your CV/resume online or book a free ‘Kiwi Career Success’ course to learn about what New Zealand employers look for and how to write a kiwi style CV.
 www.nzrecruitme.co.nz – Is a service for people who are outside New Zealand. You can register as a jobseeker and put your CV/resume online for New Zealand Employers to browse.
 www.seek.co.nz – Search for jobs or browse through categories.
 www.workingin-newzealand.com – Apply for jobs, learn about visas, find New Zealand real estate, transfer funds, find a shipping company, and more!
www.fres.co.nz – Farm Relief Employment Services specialises in matching workers to dairy farming positions.
www.canstaff.co.nz – Canstaff are recruitment specialists on New Zealand's South Island.
www.taylorcorp.co.nz  – Taylorcorp offers seasonal work thinning, picking and  packing apples from December to July, with a limited amount of accommodation available.
www.satara.co.nz – Satara is New Zealand's leading kiwifruit and avocado co-operative and is committed to maximising orchard gate return for our grower shareholders.
 www.picknz.co.nz – PickNZ helps you find horticultural jobs in the major growing regions of New Zealand
www.pickapicker.co.nz – Pick-A-Picker is a New Zealand based company providing an effective link between seasonal workers and New Zealand’s fruit industry.
www.jobscentral.co.nz – Seasonal Solutions provides advice and opportunities on the full process of finding work in Central Otago.
www.seasonalwork.co.nz – A hub with thousands of jobs listed and links to adventure tourism, harvest trails and English courses.
www.seasonaljobs.co.nz – SeasonalJobs.co.nz is a service that was designed specifically for the New Zealand seasonal employment market.
www.winejobsonline.com – This wine industry site allows both job seekers and employers to make contact over a wide range or jobs, including vineyard work.
www.wwoof.co.nz – Willing Workers on Organic Farms allows members to work on the hundreds of participating farms through New Zealand.
www.nzkgi.org.nz/seasonal-labour – NZ Kiwifruit Growers Inc offers information and fruitpicking jobs in the Bay of Plenty region.
www.coolstore.co.nz – Offers seasonal work opportunities for fruitpickers.
www.workinnz.co.nz – Mr Apple NZ Ltd have jobs and accommodation for fruitpickers.
www.eastpack.co.nz – Offers seasonal work opportunities. Post harvest kiwifruit operator with 3 sites in Bay of Plenty - Te Puke, Edgecumbe and Opotiki. 
www.careers.turnersandgrowers.com - Offers seasonal work opportunities in Kerikeri, Auckland, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson and Motueka.  Variety of roles and dependent on the season.
www.hhes.co.nz – Post your resume and search for jobs. Work throughout the hospitality industry, including temporary positions.
www.hospo.com – An international hospitality recruitment network. Jobs at all levels.

good luck everybody =)

when you decide to go to new zealand

the first thing to do is find a visa!

the immigration rules are different for each country, so I can't tell you much, I just suggest you to check the nz immigration website http://www.immigration.govt.nz/

most of the people come here with the working holiday visa. it's available for several countries, with different availability and different conditions. click here to find out more, there is a list of all the countries and their rules.

usually, if you have a whv, you are entitled to live, work and study in new zealand for one year.

the whv is for people between 18 and 30/35 years old, you can work for one year (sometimes just 3 months for the same employer, while other countries have no limit) and study for 3/6 months.

if you have a good level of english you won't have any problems to find a job in a few days.

hospitality (bars, restaurants, cafes) is where you can find easily a job. if you have experience it's a bonus, but a lot of employers are keen to train new staff.

the minimum wage in new zealand is 14.25$ per hour and wages are usually weekly. DO NOT WORK FOR LESS MONEY!!

another way to come to new zealand is as a turist. some countries need a visitor visa, other don't. find more clicking here. 

if your aim is to study, you find more information here. 

the tuition fees are very different for resident and non resident, so be sure you have a lot of money if you want to enroll to a school or university. for example, a cooking cours is about 20000$ per year for non resident, plus you need the money to live here, and new zealand is everything but cheap, especially auckland.

the good news are that if you have a student visa, you can work up to 20 hours per week (and full time during holidays), so you can earn some money to pay your rent and food.

if you decide to study in nz, it will give you good opportunities to find a better job and become a resident.

if you think that you need help to apply for a visa, check this link  http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/stream/advice/

i'm pretty sure that new zealand won't disappont you!

from italy to new zealand

yes, let's start writing in english and dealing with a bigger audience.

i've been writing on my italian blog since i started planning my adventure in new zealand. 

now it's time to try to do the same for you guys, in english, even if i'm not so good with that.

i begin saying that i'm sorry for all the mistakes you will find on my blog, but as you can imagine, english is not my fist language. 
and second, as you might know, italian people are not famous for their english skills!  =)

my aim is to help people that are looking for information about new zealand, backpackers that wanna travel, people that would like to come here and study, or those who will apply for a working holiday visa.

I arrived with a whv and then i've upgraded to a work visa.

it's not easy, guys, but it's possible!

i've been living in auckland for all my stay.
 i haven't traveled much cause i was busy with work, but for christmas and new year i have 3 weeks off, so finally i can travel and discover the north island.

can't wait to do that =)