Kiwis and Fairy Bread

December 2023

Hello! Welcome to the first official post of Kiwis and Fairy Bread, Mike and Ellen’s New Zealand Adventure. We will be RVing for 3 1/2 weeks through the North and South Islands. See the map at the end of this post to see our route.

With the trip rapidly approaching we have started to pack. Which isn’t as simple as it sounds, because of what we have recently learned….

Although the season will be late spring and early summer (its the Southern Hemisphere after all), the weather will vary greatly. New Zealanders are fond of saying that one can experience every season of the year in one day. So we are preparing for highs in the mid 70’s, lows in the mid 40s and plenty of rain. (and apparently they don’t use umbrellas. But I like them, even if it will make me stick out like a tourist!). So we are packing our clothes very strategically.

Also, before officially entering the country of New Zealand (a.k.a. getting out of the Auckland Airport) we will have to pass through something called “Biosecurity”. These officers will inspect our luggage for anything that might harm the fragile environment. This includes any seeds, grains, nuts, fruits (so no homemade granola, sigh), vegetables, meats or animal products. Also, no wood, grasses or wool. If we do have anything of the kind, we must declare it. If something is found, we’ll have to pay a hefty fine. SO I’ve switched our bamboo chopsticks for plastic ones, but what about our bamboo brush? And leather shoes? Just before landing, apparently we can ditch any leftover snacks in the airplane rubbish bin (I mean trash can! Already I am using British lingo. Will that be useful, I wonder?).

SO in order to help us speed through biosecurity Mike and I are working on a very detailed packing spreadsheet. It includes items, category and the bag in which it is packed. If those officials ask us any questions, we’ll be prepared!

Best get back to it. Thanks for reading. Cheers!

Our route through New Zealand, or Aotearoa, as it is also known in the common Maori language.