There is a lot to like about New Zealand. The summery weather from November until April for one, the undulating, green landscape and lush flora, the unique bird population and the 3000km moat around the country. New Zealand has approximately 5 million inhabitants with a population as varied as it’s landscape. About 67% are of European descent while 18% are Maori which is about the same percentage as those of Asian heritage. Other pacific peoples make up about 9%. Most of the names of towns and regions are in Maori language which I have trouble remembering. So many vowels and few consonants do not compute in my European brain. 

Canadians are known for their politeness, always excusing themselves, even if they’ve done nothing wrong like two people arriving at the door at the same time both pardoning themselves and insisting the other go first. A Canadian standoff. Where Canadians are polite, Kiwis are just nice, always pleasant, cheerful and helpful, always in good humour and never in a hurry or annoyed. I have yet to meet a grumpy Kiwi. I’m usually the cranky one. I should learn from the locals.

Auckland is a city much like Vancouver with an active waterfront replete with restaurants, hotels, boat harbours and a container port. Passenger ferries are coming and going to places like Devonport, Waiheke Island, both tourist and holiday destinations and Rangitoto, the volcanic island in the Hauraki Gulf. Waiheke is home to several high-end wineries along with multi-million-dollar homes with views of the water and the city scape defined by the Needle, the iconic 328-meter tall Ski Tower in the city center. Devonport is more like a tiny suburb with a busy main street full of tourist shops and restaurants. It is also accessible by road. Both are well worth a day trip and we were envious of the fancy ferry terminals which are basically mini-malls with restaurants, bars and shops. Unlike our utilitarian waiting rooms with a couple of junk-food and pop dispensers.