We rented a car for a month and headed to KiwiSteve's neck of the woods in Whakatane (pronounced Fack-a-tawny) for some hiking and general shenanigans.
After Whakatane, we drove to Lake Taupo, home of the Tongariro Crossing considered the most beautiful one day hike in New Zealand.
Wellington was our last stop before boarding the ferry to the south island. Wellington is the birthplace of Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson and home to the Te Papa Musuem.
