One Year In New Zealand | Our Highlights

One year exploring the country’s natural beauty, fascinating cities, history and even bicycle trails! One year of encounters with an astonishing people.

Natural Beauties

It was a real thrill to explore a country with so much diversity in such a small area. No need to travel hundreds of kilometres to change the scenery! In just a few days riding, we admired lush forests, golden or black sandy beaches, rocky or snowy ridges. At times dramatic, even mystical, at other times enchanting, these beauties are unique. Our highlights include the Otago Peninsula, with its astonishing biodiversity, Paparoa National Park, Nelson Lakes National Park and Tongariro National Park. And then there are those little hidden spots that don’t feature in guidebooks or on the Internet. Unsurprisingly, they have no names. We discovered them by chance when it wasn’t local residents who revealed their secrets to us…

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To date, the national parks of the country represent a territory of over 30,000 km2, equivalent to the size of Belgium or three times that of Jamaica. And thanks to the government agency Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai (DOC), access to this incredible playground remains free. Perhaps, as Quebecer Christian Larsen once said, because “free things are often the most expensive…”.

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Fascinating Cities

When I look at a map of New Zealand, I’m always struck by how strategically situated the three largest cities are. Auckland remains the main gateway to the North Island, while Christchurch plays perfectly that role for the many visitors to the South Island. And, almost halfway between the two, Wellington, an essential crossing point by boat from one island to the other, is perfectly placed to establish its status as the country’s capital. Even if we also follow the iconic route, Vanessa and I always enjoy following our intuition and getting off the beaten track. After all, getting lost in the city is the best way to be surprised.

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History

In Māori mythology, the couple Ranginui and Papatūānuku symbolize the celestial father and earthly mother, the originators of the world’s creation. Their children, meanwhile, embody the guardian gods of natural kingdoms, such as the forest, the sea, cultivated and uncultivated foods and earthquakes, to name just a few. And according to the Māori legend, some 800 years ago, the explorer Kupe was the first to reach its rugged shores, setting off the Polynesian migration to this blessed land. Over the centuries, traditions have been passed down through the generations in song, sculpture and weaving. In those days of oral culture, there was no written Māori. In fact, the term Māori didn’t even exist before the arrival of the first Europeans! Then one day, these two distant beliefs collided to carve out one of the world’s youngest histories.

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Exploring by Bike

Our favourite biking destinations include the West Coast of the South Island, a true outdoor paradise! And what about the amazing Timber Trail with its suspension bridges? And, of course, the Otago Central Rail Trail, a 150 km stretch of former railway line that now offers a pastoral and historic journey through the heart of this beautiful region.

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By choosing to travel on two wheels, we hope to celebrate slowness and rediscover our childhood sense of wonder. Of course, with Léo, then Lucas, we also have to follow a family routine, just like at home. However, our daily schedule is much simpler here. Why is that? Because our tent in New Zealand is no bigger than a ping-pong table. Less material to manage also means less time wasted on it. Minimalism is invited wherever possible to simplify our lives and focus on what’s essential: making discoveries and meeting new people.

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Inspiring Encounters

Of course, a shared experience requires a common language. English has opened many doors for us, but there’s nothing like knowing a few well-chosen words in the Māori language to reach the heart of this fascinating people. To say hello, Māori words are simply pronounced, Kia Ora with a slightly rolled r. I have fond memories of my meeting with the tradition keeper, Fiona Collins. As in the days of the first Māoris, this artist uses a shell to scrape the flesh from the flax leaves and extract fibres, which she weaves with her hands. And how could we forget our meeting with the young protectors of Abel Tasman National Park? For several years now, Project Janszoon’s mission has been to restore and preserve the richness of New Zealand’s smallest national park.

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It’s impossible to sum up this incredible year in just a few words. Discover more about this amazing country in our books and documentary!