We used to have a TV ad here in NZ with the catchphrase “Don’t leave town to you’ve seen the country”.  Last year, I decided to have a crack at seeing some things around Aotearoa, Godzone.

Part 1, Akaroa

Akaroa is a quaint French town a short drive from Christchurch. “Why French?” I hear you ask.  “Why not, eh?” is the only sensible Kiwi response.  Apparently Akaroa has a Mediterranean climate (and when I went it was a fantastically warm, sunny spring day) so the Frenchies paid six quid for the area in 1830’s and used it as a whaling port.

I had always wondered what the fuss was about.  So off I went, alongside (or should I say behind) a convoy of badly driving tourists, clearly unused to our small winding roads. Bless them.

What I discovered was truly gorgeous.  And well worth the road rage.

Tell me kiwis, which parts of NZ are your hidden secrets?