After visiting what all say (now us also!) is “must see” MONA Museum in Hobart, Tasmania – its distinctive architecture and belief system challenging, subversive themes, we headed for New Zealand (NZ).

Not until you directly travel within the bays, peninsula’s, islands, harbours, and ubiquitous waters, do you experience how truly spectacular NZ is. Sailing through the mist of magnificent Milford Sound on our 40th Wedding Anniversary, we viewed cliffs, tall mountains, lush forests, waterfalls – at one stage accompanied by dolphins. Docking at Port Chalmers, on a long drive through “Scottish” Dunedin, (where Springboks seldom win a Rugby Test), and the shoreline’s abundant natural beauty, to Otago Peninsula’s fur seals and view of baby penguins. Driving from small French inspired Akoroa, sea route into Christchurch since its deadly earthquake of 11 years ago, we punted down the Avon, ate delicious Indian in a vibey market space filled with “life”, festive atmosphere, street buskers.  

Each daily experience – a mystery until it happens!: Weather, excursion we choose, our guide. At picturesque Picton we kayaked magnificent Queen Charlotte Sound: perfect day, warm, flat water, no winds. That evening a wine farm magical dinner, with jazz band and dancers amongst the vines. Could have been Stellenbosch or Franschhoek!

In ‘windy Wellington’ we lucked out! An outstanding young Maori fluent woman guided us through the forested 225-hectare ground breaking Zealandia Ecosanctuary project with its inspiring 500-year vision. Meaningful impact already after 30 years of ecosystem rehabilitation: reintroducing native flora, bird life, other fauna while excluding all harmful mammals and alien vegetation.

NZ, for us, is “far away”, yet some vital lessons globally applicable. They fiercely protect the long-term viability and freedom of their land, embedded in their National Anthem. All Black values seem to permeate throughout: Sweep the sheds; Take the gap; Play with purpose; Pass the ball; Be of team; Keep a blue head; Ritualise to actualise; Be a good ancestor; Write your legacy…. No surprise that, taken over time, they deliver the best rugby team in the world.

A world class experience so far, with more to come…