New Zealand – Page 9 – Content Catnip

Welcome to the rumbling belly of the shaky isles: Orakei Korako

Welcome to the rumbling belly of the shaky isles: Orakei Korako! I visited one of Aotearoa’s most unique and unexpected delights, a #volcanic and #geothermal park near Taupo on the North Island #travel

Welcome to the rumbling belly of the shaky isles: Waiotapu

Welcome to the rumbling belly of the shaky isles: Taupo and Rotorua Part Two

Waiotapu means sacred waters in Maori. It’s an active geothermal area at the southern end of New Zealand’s Taupo Volcanic Zone just outside of Rotorua. It’s a place of surreal colour, beauty and otherworldly wonder. It’s no exaggeration that you haven’t seen anything like this before. The alchemy of mineral deposits mixing over thousands and sometimes millions ofContinue reading “Welcome to the rumbling belly of the shaky isles: Waiotapu”

An interesting holistic model for health according to the eight tentacles of the Octopus, Te Wheke in Māori culture

An interesting holistic model for health according to the eight tentacles of the Octopus, Te Wheke in Maori culture

The Maori (the indigenous people of New Zealand) which includes myself, have a very different way of defining health outcomes compared to western medicine. Te Wheke (the octopus) is often used as a symbol to define integrative and holistic health. This holistic approach to health encompasses ten elements in Maori life. Funnily enough this holisticContinue reading “An interesting holistic model for health according to the eight tentacles of the Octopus, Te Wheke in Māori culture”

Seawalls: Artists for Oceans in Quirky Napier, New Zealand

On a recent cycling trip to Napier, the Polish Bear and I were astonished to find the most amazing street art in the side alleys, shop fronts and carpark walls. Art Deco Napier is a place full of surprises. Seawalls Napier: Bringing the oceans to the streets Sea Walls: Murals for Oceans is a groundbreakingContinue reading “Seawalls: Artists for Oceans in Quirky Napier, New Zealand”

Flying Nun Records: The Chills

Haling from Dunedin, The Chills are a 80’s and 90’s band with aural stories that recall childlike wonder and a free-wheeling and expansive youth in the South Island of New Zealand. There’s a happy-go-lucky psychadelic pop and folk sound that (possibly) found its way into the sound of Split Enz and Crowded House later on. TheContinue reading “Flying Nun Records: The Chills”

Windy Wellington shows her pretty side on Guy Fawkes Night

It’s a bit of a mystery why a far-flung Capital City like Wellington in New Zealand would actively celebrate a rebellious plot against King James I of England/ King James VI of Scotland in 1605. Nevertheless the appeal seems to be because of the emission of huge amounts of pyrotechnics and fireworks. Who doesn’t enjoyContinue reading “Windy Wellington shows her pretty side on Guy Fawkes Night”

Christchurch in springtime is full of magic

There is a quickening in the air as young creatures everywhere grow up and move out into the world. Ducklings lose their fuzzy baby down and grow mature features, although they still file carefully behind their mother as she escorts them from pond to pond, past and through reeds and perilously close to a cycleContinue reading “Christchurch in springtime is full of magic”

Auckland: Reclaiming the city for pedestrians and cyclists

I got something in the mail the other day. A planned new cycleway running down one of the main streets of Auckland CBD, Nelson st and then criss-crossing all over the city. This is music to my ears as Auckland has to be one of the noisiest and congested cities in this part of theContinue reading “Auckland: Reclaiming the city for pedestrians and cyclists”

Travel: Welcome To The End Of The World – And It’s Amazing

Welcome to Slope Point. This is no man’s land – southernmost tip on New Zealand’s South Island. Basically what happens is that air circulating from Antarctica bursts forth towards these shores and create ongoing turbulence that’s so violent that trees are warped and gnarled in perpetuity, and envelop the landscape in twisted, morphed shapes. This isContinue reading “Travel: Welcome To The End Of The World – And It’s Amazing”

Cruelty Free Product Review: Nellie Tier’s Hydrating Mask

This is not a sponsored post – It’s yet another skin care product review of a terrific body lotion by New Zealand organic skincare range, Nellie Tier. The botanical extracts in the Anar and Palmarosa Hydrating Mask are really soothing and cooling and tend to leave your skin feel refreshed. This sort of moisturiser isContinue reading “Cruelty Free Product Review: Nellie Tier’s Hydrating Mask”