New Zealand's name in Maori is Aotearoa, which means "Land of a long white cloud." is appropiate for a country with an even wetter, more changable climate than ireland in places. But high mountains stop alot of the wet prevailing south-westlies from reaching the eastern coasts. Hence you wine from marlbough and fruit from bays of plenty and hawke. See Met Office for more on weather.
Above is the a picture of lake hakea, otago just over from the haast pass. Taken on the 15th of december 2004.

Below is the beach in hokitika, westland just outside the holiday park we stayed on the 12th of december. Pictured with the ducks. Also one of the many one-lane bridges in the area.
Warners Hotel (incorparting Bailies' pub) on Catherdal Square, Christchurch, South Island
Here is Brian and Aisling demostrating how to balance a pint on top of a pint. While a sample a huge bar food burger (costing only NZ$10, about 5euro). The breakfast here is brillant and all the meals are value.. a couple pool table, live music, stained glass ceiling and the class collection of proper Irish kit on the walls. No late license but it's only a stumble away from the main strip on oxford terrace.
- Arthur's Pass


Franz Josef Glacier
- Westland

Images from a couple hours journey from just north of haast, facing the pacfic ocean, then passing haast and climbing the mountain pass up the river valley before entering with the beautiful lake waneka, it on the driver side so I got mostly the windy road.

Queenstown - The relaxed lake in front of queenstown shown here...
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...doesn't do, this activity mad town justice. Check out AJ Hackett, nzone and Shotover Jet and this I took.
But with drink driving such a problem with the road signs are very blunt.. this one was in a hotel car park in akaroa


If you've been drinking the safer place for your car right here.

Drowsy Drivers Die
Drink Driving.. Bloody Idiot!
What's the hurry, you long enough dead.
This is the view just coming into the caldera in the center of the banks peninsula, Canterbury, where akaroa is far side of the harbour visible in the distance.

After arriving in new zealand... This wellington at the top of the cable car.