Read this before you start exploring

I could go on and on about the things I wish I'd known before I started exploring Aotearoa, so don’t be surprised if more tips pop up now and then! But for now, I want to cover the basics and the most important information. Everything below applies whether you’re visiting for the first time, travelling long term, or have lived here your whole life.

(Note: I'm still expanding on this and will eventually break it up into longer, individual posts)

1. Respecting Māori culture & the land

Māori are the Indigenous people of Aotearoa, and it’s important to recognise that as the kaitaiaki (guardians) of Aotearoa, they have a deeply profound relationship with their whenua (land).

Each region has its own unique cultural and spiritual meaning, and many places around the country are tapu (sacred). These include some of the most beautiful places in NZ like Cape Reinga, Riuwaka Resurgence and the very top of Taranaki Maunga. You might see signs asking you not to take photos, swim, eat or wear your shoes - please be respectful and take those requests seriously.

Easy ways to show respect while travelling in Aotearoa:

• Learn about Māori culture through authentic, Māori-led tours and experiences. There are some really incredible options in Rotorua.

• Make an effort to pronounce te reo Māori words and place names correctly. You don’t need to be fluent, and we’ll all fumble over our words at some stage. But te reo is a national taonga (treasure), and learning a little goes a long way! If you need help, websites like Te Reo Māori Dictionary are really useful.

• Take some time to understand Aotearoa’s history and the challenges that still exist today. I personally think this is a non-negotiable for anyone travelling here, and there are plenty of places to do this! The most historically significant site in Aotearoa is the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands.

• Where possible, support Māori-owned businesses and tourism operators.

• Remember that no matter where you are in Aotearoa, you must practice Leave No Trace, take nothing by photos, and treat everyone (wildlife included) with respect.

2. Driving in NZ: The basics, RUC & tolls

The first thing you’ll notice when you get to NZ is that we drive on the left-hand side of the road, which might take some time to adjust to.

The second is our roads are very narrow, windy and probably aren’t in the condition you’re used to. We have a lot of gravel roads, which can slow down your travels, and State Highway 1, our main motorway, is only 2-4 lanes (1-2 in each direction), which is much smaller than motorways overseas. So you’ll want to make sure you’ve factored enough travel time into your day.

A speedy overview of the rules

• Keep left unless you’re overtaking.

• Put your phone doooown. It’ll illegal to use it while driving, and no phone call is worth risking your life, or other drivers' lives, for

• You’ll need an International Driver's Permit (IDP) if you’re travelling to NZ without an English driver's license. If you’re planning on being here long term, you’ll need to get a New Zealand driver's license after 12 months.

• You’ll come across lots of “slow vehicle” lanes, and if it’s safe to do so, pull over if you can see traffic building up behind you.

• Keep an eye out for toll roads. We don’t have many, but there are four in Auckland, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty. Make sure you pay your toll on time, especially if you’re travelling in a rental car.

Road User Charges (RUC)

If you’re driving a diesel or electric vehicle, you’ll need to pay Road User Charges (RUC) on top of your fuel. If you’re renting a vehicle, this is usually covered in your rental cost. If not, RUC is sold in 1000km units, and you must pre-purchase them in advance.

The most convenient way to buy them is online on the Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) website. You’ll pay for the number of units you need, and then Waka Kotahi will send you a sticker to display on your dashboard.

3. Sun Protection & The Ocean

The sun is smoking hot

There is a hole in the ozone layer above New Zealand, and the sun is much much much stronger than it is in the rest of the world. It wouldn't be unusual for the UV to reach 13-14 in the summer.

• So many people get caught out and sunburn is huuuuuge risk if you don't protect yourself.

• Apply sunscreen multiple times every day, especially if you're travelling between September and April.

• Always wear SPP 50+ (your SPF 15+ body mist isn't going to cut it!)

• Cover up as much as possible (linen shirts will be your bestie)

• Consider buying sunscreen when you get here. I LOOOOVE Korean sunscreen, but it's not strong enough for the middle of summer.

And the ocean is stroooong

In New Zealand, we're spoilt for beautiful beaches. But lots of our beaches are really unsafe, particularly on the West Coast.

• Read the safety tips on the Surf Lifesaving NZ website or visit AdventureSmart for professional advice.

• Swim between the flags! Beaches are often patrolled by volunteer lifeguards (Surf Lifesaving NZ), and if there's a hazard, you'll see yellow and red. Between these flags is the safest place to swim to avoid dangerous currents and rips.

• Learn how to recognise ocean rip currents, even if you’re only here for a little while! You can find more information on the Surf Lifesaving NZ website.

• If you have children with you, don't let them out of your sight.

• Never swim if you're cold or tired. And if in doubt, stay out of the water!!!

4. Hiking Safety & Temperamental Weather Conditions

Aotearoa is home to some of the best walks in the world, but there are a few things you should know before exploring.

• The weather is super unpredictable, even in the summer. It can get freezing, and hypothermia is a huge risk all year round. Pack lots of warm layers (Merino is the world's greatest investment), wear a good warm jacket, and ALWAYS take a rain jacket!!! May-October is outside of Great Walk season and you'll only be able to attempt certain walks if you have mountaineering experience. Check DOCs website for specifics.

• Ooooooh on that note, make sure you check the forecast once, twice and three times before you go out. I like to use MetService, NIWA and DOC.

• Tell someone where you're going and always stick to the marked track

• Have proper navigation. AllTrails is fine if you’re doing very short day walks under 1.5 hours. Otherwise, you’ll need to download NZ Topo, bring a satellite phone or PLB (most people use a Garmin InReach Mini), and carry a backup map just in case.

• Make sure you have all the right gear: water, food & snacks, a powerbank, a first aid kit, sun protection and lots of layers.

• Please research the trails BEFORE you attempt them Most hikes are free, but some, like the Cape Brett Track, require a permit and others, like Roy’s Peak, close every year for lambing season. Others have river crossings or are only suitable for experienced hikers.

• Be prepared for sudden changes and have a Plan B. If the weather turns and you’re already on the trail, assess the risk and if it's unsafe, please turn back.

5. Emergency

• In New Zealand, 111 is the emergency number for police, fire, and ambulance services.

• You can call 105 to report anything that isn't an emergency

• Like I said, if you're hiking in remote areas, consider carrying a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) ALWAYS. It can seriously save your life.

6. Toilets & showers

Public toilets are everywhere in New Zealand (and free!)

To be on the safe side, I recommend carrying a couple of rolls of toilet paper with you and hand sanitiser, as you won't always find it in the toilets.

It's a bit harder to find showers if you're doing van life. I did it for a bit, and here are my recommendations. If I were going again long-term, I'd just use my gym membership!

• Holiday parks, campsites, and swimming centres all have showers, which you can use, but only if you’re staying or swimming there.

• Some DOC campsites have showers, but they’ll either be cold or require a $2 gold coin.

• Solar showers are a great way of rinsing off, but PLEEEAASE don’t use soap in the bush or our waterways. You must practice Leave No Trace and be more than 200 yards away from a water source.

• If you’re here for a while, get a gym membership! Jetts, CityFitness and Snap have pretty affordable weekly memberships that would be 100% worthwhile if they were your only reliable shower stop.

Keep learning, and keep reading about the safety recommendations and the cultural significance of the areas you're travelling to. I promise, the more you know, the better time you'll have xx