CountessCupcake

Firstly Dunedin is beautiful , full of period buildings , parks and bustling cafes. The long gently sloping streets mean its super easy to get around in , and the crisp bright mornings are the best excuse to get out for a run amongst one of the prettiest places in New Zealand.

Ive only been there once , it was for ID fashion week and i only had a few days but i was completely blown away by it all . The city is much larger than i expected and full of some of the most interesting innovative fashion designers this country has to offer – this place is a fashion destination . My partner and i enjoyed great fashion shopping , awesome cafe culture and sight seeing in mild but brisk Dunedin air – i cant wait to find an excuse to get back there !

Ive been here a number of times and it has to be one of my favourite spots in New Zealand for summer . Nelson is so beautiful , and largely flat making it a great walking or biking place . My favourite thing to do would be explore the weekend markets for bargins and then head down to the beach and play in the surf with the sun beating down on me .

Ive been to tonga and enjoyed my time there , the country is full of friendly people and has a great tourism scene which is well catered for by beautiful and thriving resorts.

What i do suggest is that you go off the beaten track , you dont have to stay in a resort the entire time you are there and there are a huge amount of homestays and boarding houses availiable all run by friendly local folk. Take the time to get to know these people and expose yourself to there way of life . Doing this lead to me thinking about the country differently and since visiting i have been involved in lobbying there government on certain issues .

The country is beautiful , the culture is beautifull and real tongans with their storys of daily life , their work , their history is beautiful too.

I went to Niue in my final year of high school with my parents ( my mother is niuean ). It was the most amazing experience ive ever had .

The tiny island is full of friendly people , so very helpfull and interested in what you are doing – they knew more about my family history than i did and instantly made me feel like i belonged . The faces looked like mine!

The island is tiny , you can drive around it in an hour or so – but its so beautiful . The high cliffs give some of the best sea views ive ever seen. From up high you peer into the movemnt of clear blue water teaming with life – whales , fish and dolphins. And in the evening sunsets spill orange , pinks and purples across the night sky . The best vantage point is up at the Matavai Lodge whilst sipping wine after dinner.

The coral around the island sprouts up in a rainbow of colours from reds to oranges purples and deep blues which cluster around the sides of rock pools which pepper the coast . Some are large enough to swim in , and when you do the water is divinely warm – soothing on sunburnt skin.

I went there a stressed out high school senior with little self identity and came back knowing who i was and with a love for life ( and 10kgs lighter from the super tasty but amazingly healthy food)

My parents are starting a backpackers there , and i plan to go back very very soon – infact my fiance and i are making it our honeymoon destination .

I reccomend a visit to you all.

Famed for there yearly petone fair in which the main street is blocked off and is lined with stalls selling foods , crafts , art clothes and all sorts of fun stuff . Year round petone is a bustling suburb , full with cafe’s resturants and boutique busineses ranging from clothing stores to interior decorating outlets . Home also to some of wellingtons best thrift stores and a pretty beach perfect for swimming , wallking , running , kayaking , jet skiing and picknicking.

I lived here for a huge portion of my life – its one of those places which is quiet contemplative and beautiful . But it also has an edge with poltical , social and cultural issues . My love for the city revolves around the people , namely the many artists who reside here making it a thrivng center for New Zealand art especially in the area of glass arts where creations are amongst the worlds best .

Was a while ago and was for fashion week . Although i didint get to see a hell of a lot of the city it was nice to be somewhere bustling and fast passed but without the wank and pretention you get in other cities . I enjoyed my inner city apartment , watching the hoardes whilst sipping my morning tea or my evening wine . Its a good place to be – although im not sure i could live there .