26 August 2014

Kiwis are rather proud of our green image, with some going to extreme lengths to protect it.

Our nature reserves cover almost 30% of the country and are cared for by the Department of Conservation.

 

As we're sure you'll want to come back and enjoy another visit, here are a few tips about how you can help keep New Zealand beautiful too:

 

  • Put rubbish in a bin - don't litter the roadside or anywhere else.  Many areas also have recycling bins.
     
  • Use a dump station if you are traveling with a motorhome or caravan - you're not allowed to tip your black or grey water in waterways; and use a public toilet facility if you are out and about.
     

      <= Dumpstation    |    Toilet =>  
     

  • Don't remove flora and fauna from public places - it's against the law on conservation land.  Take a photo, draw a picture or send yourself a postcard instead.
     
  • Think before you light a fire on the beach or anywhere.  It might be romantic to sit around at night but what about the mess in the morning?  Do you have/need a permit (ie Department of Conservation land)?  Is there a local or regional fire ban in place? How will it affect wildlife, flora or fauna?  Could it get out of control?
     
  • Don't bring anything living or once living into the country - it could be dangerous to life already here.
     
    New Zealand is a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.   
     
    You will go through biosecurity checks upon entering New Zealand to look for items that are prohibited to import.
     
    It's best to declare or dispose (pdf).
     
  • Tap water is safe to drink and better for our environment than bottled water.  Different councils treat their water in different ways, so it will taste different as you travel around the country.
     
  • There are 3 poisonous spiders - the Katipo; and the Australian Red Back and White Tail.  The Katipo you would never expect to see as they frequent iron-ore sandy beaches and are rare. There is however a poisonous sea slug and a jellyfish to look out for in some waterways. (To give you an idea of 'risk' - I have never seen a Katipo or Red Back, although we've seen the White Tail spider several times and been biten by them. I didn't even known about, let alone seen the slug; and have only seen the jellyfish (dead) a couple of times ever.)
     
  • If travelling with children make sure you know what is going in their mouths - we have a few poisonous plants.  Unfortunately this brochure (pdf) is not illustrated, so here are the top 10 common plant names with images:

    Arum Lily Black Nightshade Euphorbia 1 / Poinsettia
    Euphorbia 2 Onga Onga Hemlock
    Iris Oleander Foxglove
    Rhus / Wax tree Agapanthus  
     

     
    "If you suspect a child has ingested parts of a poisonous plant immediately contact the National Poisons and Hazardous Chemical Information Centre Urgent Phoneline 24 hours a day seven days a week on 0800 POISON / 0800 764 766"
     

  • In the end I like how Leave No Trace (pdf) summarises our responsibility to the environment in "minimising the impact of your visits to the natural and cultural heritage areas of New Zealand depends on your awareness rather than on rules and regulations."

 

Want to get a bit more out of your visit and learn to identify 10 of our birds?  Try this online course for free or check out the What bird? website.  One of our favourite birdsongs that really says 'holiday' to us is the Tui because we became very familiar with its sound when we started going to the Coromandel for holidays.  Now we have one in our backyard - that sure is one way of bringing the holiday home!

 

Remember to pop in to the local Department of Conservation visitor centres on your journey and check out their informative website for far more in-depth information about our natural environment. 

19 August 2014

Motorhomes and campers are a mode of transport worth considering if you are keen to have a little more freedom on where and when you require accommodation too.

Many iconic rental companies have closed / merged and diversified in the last few years in New Zealand, with there now being 3 main networks of hire companies, as well as the independents.

Here is a list of website links to make it easier for you to shop around.

 

INDEPENDENTS

Abuzzy (Auckland)

Affordable Motorhome Rentals *

Ascot Rental Cars

Bee Free Motorhomes (Nelson)

CNZ Camper Van Hire (South Island only)

Escape Rentals

Freedom RV

Jucy Rentals

Kiwi Auto Homes

New Zealand Motorhome Rentals

Scenic NZ Motorhomes

Spaceships

Sunrise Holidays

Tokio (ex Auckland)

Walkabout Rentals

Wendekreisen

Wilderness

 

APOLLO MOTORHOME HOLIDAYS FAMILY

Apollo Camper

Cheapa Campa

Hipppie Camper

Star RV

 

TOURISM HOLDINGS LIMITED

Alpha Campervans

Britz

Kea

Maui

Mighty Campervans

United Campervans

 

RENTAL NETWORK

Budget Campers

Economy Rental Cars

Freedom Campers

Sleepervans

Tui

 

There is often an opportunity to save a little on your hire if you are traveling in certain weeks of the year when there is less demand; you are relocating vehicles; you stay for longer; or through special package deals.  Not all companies will offer each of these but have a good look around at the websites above and you're bound to find something to suit.  

For those from overseas, if you do this at the time you are booking flights you may find that flying into a different airport fits in better with a relocation or special (often this is Christchurch if the majority of people fly into Auckland, hire a vehicle to drive to Christchurch and then fly out from there).

SEE YOU ON THE ROAD!

 

All these links are provided as a service to you.  NONE of them are affiliates or offered any kick-back to us for their listing here.  

* Friends of ours have rented motorhomes several times for group tours around the South Island, from Affordable Motorhomes.  As a result we have been in email contact with them ourselves, and I couldn't fault their genuine helpfulness and service.

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