Kate Slater is a Kiwi travel writer based out of Sydney. She loves all things travel, food and wine. You can follow Kate’s travel stories at KateAbroad.com or on Instagram @kateabroadblog, and find her hot tips about travelling New Zealand here.
What is the best thing about winter in New Zealand?
Winter is when a lot of local festivals are held in New Zealand, it gives everyone a chance to come together and celebrate. There are events like Matariki, Wellington On A Plate, Mardi Gras, Winter pride, and lots of regional winter and light festivals.
If hitting the slopes, where’s the best spot?
Ruapehu – there’s the Whakapapa side for more serious skiers and snowboarders and the Turoa side which is slightly more relaxed. The nearby towns of National Park and Ohakune really go off in ski season and they’re within driving distance of Auckland and Hamilton.
What about food – tell us some of your favourite dining spots…
For fine dining, Botswana Butchery In Queenstown and Hiakai and Wellington are the best of the best. I also like the country cafes and restaurants in the Waikato like Woodlands, Punnet, Willowbrook, Narrows Landing and so on. Many of them are set in big old manor houses. There are lots of wineries that do great food on site, not just platters but world-class restaurants. Mud Brick on Waiheke Island is great and makes you feel like you could be in Tuscany, Luna Estate in Martinborough and Amisfield in the Gibbston Valley are other favourites
Advice for new travellers to NZ?
Learn some Maori. New Zealanders use words like kai (food) and haere mai (welcome) more and more, especially younger people, so it’s helpful to recognise the words. Plus, you’ll want to know how to pronounce the Maori place names