New Zealand 20 Years Later

This article, New Zealand 20 Years Later, looks back over the past two decades, and our various trips to this wonderful country. My wife and I just returned from an extended photography tour of New Zealand, spending 4 weeks on the ground. We have been very fortunate to have been able to travel to New Zealand six times over the past twenty years.

NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.

Slope Point, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 58mm, efov 157mm, f/5.6, 1/100, ISO-400

We’ve travelled from Cape Reinga at the top of the North Island, all the way down to Slope Point at the furthest reaches of the South Island.

Cape Reinga, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 10.9 mm, efov 29.4 mm, f/7.1, 1/400, ISO-160

Our journeys were illustrated in our eBook, New Zealand Tip-to-Tip.

Nikon 1 V3 + 1 Nikon CX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 300mm, efov 810mm, f/5.6, 1/1600, ISO-450

We’ve never planned any of our photography tours with the specific intent to photograph wildlife as a primary goal.

Nikon 1 V3 + 1 Nikon CX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 70mm, efov 189mm, f/5.6, 1/2000, ISO-800

Having said that, during our journeys we’ve seen and photographed an interesting mix of wildlife.

Nikon 1 V2 + 1 Nikon CX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 224mm, efov 604mm, f/5.6, 1/2000, ISO-2800

Some of which brought a smile to our faces.

Nikon 1 V3 + 1 Nikon CX 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 300 mm, efov 810 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250, ISO-400

New Zealand is a fairly compact country with a plethora of wonderful natural sights to absorb. After six visits we’ve experienced much of what the country has to offer. No doubt we’ve still missed some of its natural beauty.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 14.4 mm, efov 39 mm, f/8, 1/400, ISO-400

We typically took several months to plan each of our trips to New Zealand, often spending time researching locations that are off the beaten path. Google Maps and Google Images are good tools to use when doing this type of trip research..

Kaikoura, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 22 mm, efov 59.4 mm, f/8, 1/500, ISO-160

Over the past 20 years we’ve spent a total of about five and a half months on the ground, touring the North and South Islands by car. With more time spent on the South Island which is our favourite of the two.

Nikon D800 + Nikkor 16-35mm f/4 @ 16mm, f/8, 1/160, ISO-800

We find that the South Island is less congested and offers a somewhat wider range of natural beauty to consume visually, and to photograph.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 10mm, efov 27mm, f/8, 1/640, ISO-160

Our favourite time of year to travel to New Zealand is from mid-November to mid-December when the wildflowers can add colour to the hills and roadsides… and lambs cavort in the fields. The weather is generally pleasant.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 27.2 mm, efov 73.4 mm, f/8, 1/320, ISO-160

During our first two visits we spent some time in larger cities like Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, experiencing a range of museums, attractions, and a few events like an Auckland concert by Brian Wilson.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 10mm, efov 27mm, f/8, 1/400, ISO-160

During our last four visits we generally avoided the larger cities whenever possible, and spent our time in more rural, out-of-way locations.

Our second visit was in 2013, during which we were able to see some of the destruction in Christchurch caused by the devastating 2011 earthquake. We visited Christchurch again in 2024 to see the rebuilding progress that has occurred.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 10mm, efov 27mm, f/8, 1/400, ISO-160

We went to the Quake City museum and would highly recommend this to anyone visiting Christchurch. Be sure to watch the films on view in their entirety. The documentary interviews with survivors of the earthquake runs for over an hour is one of the most emotional films I’ve ever seen. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours to fully experience the Quake City museum.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 14 mm, efov 37.8 mm, f/5.6, 1/320, ISO-400

We were on the ground in New Zealand when the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake struck, and caused massive damage on the South Island. It impacted parts of the North Island as well. We had to change some of our travel plans as a result. The state highway in the Kaikoura area took a number of years to rebuild.

Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 10 mm, efov 27 mm, f/8, 1/400, ISO-800

GeoNet locates about 50-80 earthquakes per day in and around New Zealand, or about 20,000 per year. Only a small number (i.e. ~250 per year) are large enough to be felt.

Road to Cape Palliser, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 13 mm, efov 35 mm, f/8, 1/250, ISO-160

A number of slips (mud/rock slides) in the Takaka Hill area in 2018, caused by very heavy rains, brought major disruptions and severely restricted traffic. We cancelled our planned visit to Collingwood and adjusted our itinerary for a portion of that specific trip. After six trips to New Zealand we never did make it to Collingwood. One of our few regrets.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 100mm, efov 270mm, f/7.1, 1/200, ISO-800

Ongoing road erosion and slips in New Zealand are fairly common. We often check road and weather conditions so we can adjust our route as required. During our most recent trip we changed our itinerary to avoid the risks associated with very heavy rains that were forecasted for the west coast of the South Island.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 10mm, efov 27mm, f/5.6, 1/125, ISO-400

The scenery in New Zealand still captures our imagination. Wonderful mountain views. Some one lane bridges. Rolling farmlands. Beaches. Lakes. Cliffs. Thermal areas. Forests. Wildflowers in bloom in the late spring.

Hiking to Putangirua Pinnacles, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 6.7-13 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 6.7 mm, efov 18 mm, f/8, 1/125, ISO-800

For folks who enjoy hiking, New Zealand has an extensive network of trails of varying levels of difficulty and time commitment. From a hour or two on ‘easy’ trails… to multiple days on challenging ‘expert’ routes. These are definitely not for the faint-of-heart.. or those lacking the necessary skills and fitness level.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 6.7mm, efov 18mm, f/8, 1/80, ISO-1600

If you don’t enjoy dedicated hiking trails, there are numerous forest walks that lead to waterfalls and other scenery, that are quite enjoyable unto themselves. We did a fair amount of destination-related ‘easy’ hiking during our last trip. Not only were these enjoyable, peaceful walking experiences… I lost a few pounds during our most recent trip.

Nikon 1 V2 + 1 Nikon 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD @10mm, efov 27mm, f/5.6, 1/20, ISO-160

These are the photographic experiences that kept drawing us back to New Zealand over the past 20 years.

Lindis Valley, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 10 mm, efov 27 mm, f/8, 1/200, ISO-160

Fortunately these photographic opportunities haven’t changed much, and await other people who have not yet travelled to this beautiful country.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 60mm, efov 163mm, f/5.6, 1/400, ISO-160

As is the case in other countries around the world, some things have changed over time.  There is more traffic and road congestion.

En route to Glenorchy, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 17mm, efov 46mm, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO-160

If one is not accustomed to driving a right-hand drive vehicle additional care and caution are required.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 52mm, efov 140mm, f/8, 1/320, ISO-160

A significant majority of New Zealanders are still very open, approachable, and helpful. This is especially true in the smaller towns and villages.

Te Anau, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 13mm, efov 34mm, f/8, 1/100, ISO-800

During our most recent trip, we noticed a hint of coolness when approaching some residents in somewhat larger urban areas, when we were looking for assistance. In a few cases we were totally ignored. This was not the case back in 2004 during our first trip to New Zealand.

Kaka Point, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 10mm, efov 27mm, f/8, 1/1000, ISO-800

This year was also the first time that we saw a notice posted in a rural, public washroom, stating that the solar panel that powered the lights in the washroom had been stolen and would not be replaced.

Brighton Beach New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 10mm, efov 27mm, f8, 1/500, ISO-400

This suggested to us that a number of previous solar panel thefts had likely occurred at this same rural location.

Nikon D800 + Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 @ 24mm, f/8, 1/50, ISO-400

During our most recent visit was also the first time that we were specifically advised by a local resident, not to go to one of our planned, out-of-the-way, photographic stops because of a high risk of theft.

“That Tree in Wanaka” New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5, 1 Nikon 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 41 mm, efov 11 mm, f/8, 1/400, ISO-160

We were surprised… but heeded the advice. New Zealand still remains as one of the safest travel destinations in the world, although the local news has reported an increase in gangs and related crime and violence in recent years.

Nikon D800 + Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 @ 24mm, f/6.3, 1/2500, ISO-800

While the crime rate in New Zealand is relatively low compared to many other countries in the world, one does need to remain vigilant when travelling.

Burnside Presbyterian Church, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 10 mm, efov 27 mm, f/8, 1/250, ISO-220

Back in 2004 New Zealand had an interesting cafe culture. There was a large number of independent eateries providing beautifully presented salads, quiches, meat pies, soups, specialty baked goods, deserts, and a host of other tasty offerings.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 10 mm, efov 27 mm, f/8, 1/640, ISO-160

Those independent cafes are now somewhat harder to find, and have been dominated in some urban areas by a range of ‘big brand’ fast food restaurants.

Mangawhai Heads Beach, New Zealand, Nikon 1 V3 + 1 Nikkor 10-30 mm f/3.5-5.6 PD @ 20 mm, efov 54 mm, f/5.6, 1/800, ISO-160

Fuel for the car had always been comparatively expensive in New Zealand, and has become even more so. Depending on octane rating and location, the price for a litre of gasoline is now in the $2.50 to $3.00 NZ range, which is close to double what we pay in Canada in our local currency. During our most recent trip we drove a total of 4,543 kilometers at a cost of $625. This works out to about 14.6 cents per kilometer.

Lake Peorua, New Zealand,Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 6.7-13 mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 9.2 mm, efov 24.8 mm, f/8, 1/60, ISO-160

We rented a Ford Puma Hybrid which used 95 octane fuel. We had a few occasions where this specific octane gasoline was not available at local stations. When renting our car we had to sign a form confirming that we would only use 95 octane fuel, or risk potential penalties. When travelling in the more remote areas it is wise to top up the fuel tank daily if possible, especially if the rental car uses a fuel grade higher than 91 octane.

Castle Hill, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 22 mm, efov 59.4 mm, f/8, 1/500, ISO-160

Costs in New Zealand have been rising for all kinds of products and services, as they have in other countries of the world. It can be expensive to eat in restaurants throughout one’s trip.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 64mm, efov 173mm, f/5.6, 1/500, ISO-160

In some of the more remote areas of the country that we’ve explored, restaurant meals are simply not available. If one does a self-catering tour like my wife and I have done for our past four visits, the overall cost for a trip to New Zealand can be reduced to some degree. This also expands the areas that can be explored.

Enroute to Doubtful Sound, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 44 mm, efov 119 mm, f/5.6, 1/400, ISO-800

So… New Zealand 20 years later has changed in a few ways… while still retaining much of its original intrigue and charm.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD @10mm, efov 27mm, f/5, 1/100, ISO-800

We have some very special memories. Like discovering mural tiles in a village public toilet that were hand painted by local school children in the Catlins. This area of the South Island is one of our favourites.

Tairua, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 26 mm, efov 70.2 mm, f/5.6, 1/320, ISO-160

Experiencing the warmth of New Zealand hospitality while having dinner with locals at the Tairua Bowling Club on a Friday night.

Nikon 1 V2 + 1 Nikkor CX 70-300 mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 300 mm, efov 810 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200, ISO-360

Flying through the Southern Alps into Milford Sound from Queenstown, aboard a small 5 seater aircraft. Photographing some aerobatic surfers on the west coast of the North Island.

Cosy Nook, New Zealand, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 27.2 mm, efov 73.4 mm, f/8, 1/1000, ISO-800

Watching baby dolphins swimming around our boat in the waters around the Bay of Islands. Enjoying the accommodations and dinner at Lanarch Castle. Visiting Cosy Nook and Long Drop Lodge.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 50mm, efov 135mm, f/8, 1/320, ISO-160

Unfortunately Long Drop Lodge has been replaced by something quite boring and utilitarian. It made us wonder if legendary New Zealand creativity and humor are beginning to wane.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 12mm, efov 31mm, f/5.6, 1/400, ISO-400

The photographic tour of New Zealand that we just completed will be our last visit to this magnificent country. Fortunately our bagful of memories is almost endless.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 13mm, efov 35mm, f8. 1/160, ISO-160

As the years march on it has become more physically demanding to handle the rigors of long distance travel. For example, this year our return flight times, combined with airport wait times, from Christchurch New Zealand to Toronto Canada took over 30 hours. New Zealand is 18 hours ahead of Toronto… so some physical adjustment with sleep cycles is required. In addition, the cost of travel health insurance has risen dramatically for those of us in our senior years.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikkor 10-100 mm f/4-5.6 @ 10 mm, efov 27 mm, f/5.6, 1/1000, ISO-160

We will always look back fondly on the wonderful experiences we have had during our visits to New Zealand, and the many thousands of kilometers we have explored.

We hope that you have enjoyed looking back with us in this New Zealand 20 Years Later article. It will be interesting to experience what the next 20 years holds for each of us.

Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 60mm, efov 162mm, f8. 1/320, ISO-160

We’ll be sharing some of our photos from our recent trip to New Zealand in the weeks and months ahead.

Technical Note

Photographs were captured handheld using camera equipment  noted in the EXIF data. All images were created from RAW files using my standard process in post. This is the 1,426 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.

Nelson – Tahunanui Beach, Nikon 1 J5 + 1 Nikon 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 10mm, efov 27mm, f/5.6, 1/640, ISO-160

How you can keep this website advertising free

My intent is to keep this photography blog advertising free. If you enjoyed this article and/or my website and would like to support my work, you can purchase an eBook, or make a donation through PayPal (see Donate box below). Both are most appreciated. Sometimes all we need as photographers is a bit of inspiration. We hope you can find some of that inside Finding Visual Expression II.

Finding Visual Expression II is available for download for an investment of $11.99 CDN. The best viewing experience of this eBook will be at 100% using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

You may be interested in all of the 30 concepts covered in both of these related eBooks. If so, you may want to also consider Finding Visual Expression.

Finding Visual Expression is available for download for an investment of $11.99 Cdn. The best viewing experience of this eBook will be at 100% using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Our other eBooks include Images of Ireland, New Zealand Tip-to-Tip, Nikon 1: The Little Camera That Could, Desert & Mountain Memories, Images of Greece, Nova Scotia Photography Tour, and a business leadership parable… Balancing Eggs.

If you click on the Donate button below you will find that there are three donation options: $7.50, $10.00 and $20.00. All are in Canadian funds. Plus, you can choose a different amount if you want. You can also increase your donation amount to help offset our costs associated with accepting your donation through PayPal. An ongoing, monthly contribution to support our work can also be done through the PayPal Donate button below.

You can make your donation through your PayPal account, or by using a number of credit card options.



Word of mouth is the best form of endorsement. If you like our website please let your friends and associates know about our work. Linking to this site or to specific articles is allowed with proper acknowledgement. Reproducing articles, or any of the images contained in them, on another website or in any social media posting is a Copyright infringement.

Article is Copyright 2024 Thomas Stirr. Images are Copyright 2013-2018 Thomas Stirr or Rosemary Stirr. All rights reserved. No use, duplication or adaptation of any kind is allowed without written consent. If you see this article reproduced anywhere else it is an unauthorized and illegal use. Posting comments on offending websites and calling out individuals who steal intellectual property is always appreciated!

8 thoughts on “New Zealand 20 Years Later”

  1. Hi Thomas. Thank you for yet another great article. My good wife and I have been to NZ four times and enjoyed each visit immensely. My personal favourite is the South Island, with the Wild West Coast, glaciers, fjords, Able Tasman National Park, Queenstown, wineries etc. We used one of our days for an overnight cruise in Milford Sound, stopping in a secluded bay and doing a boat / kayaking exploration of this area. This was magic.
    There are quite big variations in climate, scenery and available activities. We have enjoyed each trip.
    As we live in Melbourne, it is quite close and convenient, so hopefully we can see more of this great country.
    I also have hundreds of photo memories.
    Thanks again for sharing.
    Regards Tony

    1. Hi Tony,

      Thanks for sharing some of your experiences travelling in New Zealand. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. We wish you many more memorable trips to New Zealand!

      Tom

  2. Thank you, I enjoy your posts. As now elderly Kiwis (we live in Christchurch) I found your impressions of our country interesting and accurate. We have photographed most of the places you visited, plus, obviously, quite a lot more you hadn’t discovered. Our earthquakes are an ongoing risk, but you get used to it. While there were about 13,000 aftershocks from the Christchurch quake we felt only a few hundred and got quite accurate in guessing intensity and location. The alpine fault will be a different level (it’s overdue) and we’ll face that when it happens. My photo interest is mainly macro and I’m enjoying the OM-1 and 90mm macro combination. I still use my old 38mm and 20mm Olympus macros on bellows for really closeup work, a remnant from my OM film days. They are still great lenses (I first adapted it to m4/3 with a Panasonic GH2).

  3. Nice article and pictures Thomas. It’s a shame you missed Collingwood and the top of the West Coast. Farewell spit, Wharariki beach and especially the drive across the Whanganui Inlet are worth the trip. Still you have seen more than most visitors and more than quite a few kiwis. All the best.

    1. Hi Russell,

      Yes… it is a shame. My wife and I were both looking forward to a visit to Collingwood and the top of the West Coast. Weather and other priorities always seemed to be working against us.

      Tom

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *