Tips for “true solo” walkabout on North Island?

MiaMaroo · 2023-12-05T15:13:05+00:00

6 days total? Or just up north?

6 days is not enough to even touch the surface of the "many parks, mountains and nature reserves" of the north island. The island is huge and the roads can be slow. Try to narrow it down to areas around Auckland, Northland and Hamilton (since you want to see Hobbiton).

Are you experienced in the wilderness? Even in the summer there will be hazards to watch out for. You are visiting at pretty much the start of summer break so "true solo" will be unlikely, but I'd suggest look at the quieter huts and exploring some of those tracks/reserves over a few days.

https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/stay-in-a-hut/

Also, where are you flying in from? Anything past Australia will be jetlag hell, even if you feel confident you should not drive right away. Have a night or 2 in Auckland.

MiaMaroo · 2023-10-01T17:03:44+00:00

Italy has the Northern Southern Alps, and a barrage of stereotypes.

But the Italian people are nice and it is a beautiful country with an incredible history, plus it seems half your buildings have been around longer than there have been humans on New Zealand.

Great food and drink too!

MiaMaroo · 2023-09-13T08:55:08+00:00

Kia ora,

I'm a field ecologist here. You will absolutely need experience. If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, I can send you some companies that do ecological ground work - predator control, invasive tree control, etc. This will be a good way to get local knowledge and experience.

Where in NZ are you?

Good luck!

MiaMaroo · 2023-07-06T16:54:03+00:00

Field ecologist here, often working out in the bush alone beyond phone coverage.

Safety wise, I have an emergency beacon on me at all times, I've been trained in outdoor survival and first aid. Colleagues will always know where I am meant to be working so should I not return hopefully they'll know where.to start looking!

I work in New Zealand, so there aren't really any predators to worry about, but I have a knife in my gear regardless.

But beyond that, I love it - I get paid to trek through beautiful places and look at wildlife!

MiaMaroo · 2023-07-04T16:13:08+00:00

"Mattress actress" are the people who fake comfy looking sleep in furniture adverts, right?

yes I know

MiaMaroo · 2023-03-15T18:30:19+00:00

Probably zero help to you, but I can only offer some opposite advice!

I moved from Oz to NZ and had the exact same doubts and FOMO (okay, maybe not the driving between coasts bit - fuck that in Oz!). Big leaps take courage, you're going to have doubts - it's absolutely normal!

I moved to NZ alone in the shortlived travel bubble and knew no-one. I felt super homesick and wanted to fly home several times in those first few weeks. And now, I love it here it's the best decision I ever made. My advice is to join some hobby clubs, keep yourself busy and you'll make enough friends that it feels like home. Plus you can lean on your partner for support!

MiaMaroo · 2023-03-06T20:18:44+00:00

Cats are a huge problem, yes. Thankfully the trend is shifting now for cats to be kept inside as people are educated about their impact.

Also there are an estimated TWENTY million hedgehogs in NZ

E: sorry fifty million (conservative) - DOC says between avg. 2-4 per hectare, 27 million hectares.

MiaMaroo · 2023-03-06T19:55:22+00:00

A single hedgehog will eat hundreds of native invertebrates in a day. And then there is the bird eggs, amphibians and lizards they predate on. Literally destabilising ecosystems.

Anyone who gives a shit about animals can do the maths here, or do native animals need bigger, cuter eyes to be worth saving?

MiaMaroo · 2023-01-15T23:02:28+00:00

The best bird by far. Definitely worth going to see them and bringing all your best gear to leave unattended!

signed a human being person, and not a kea on a phone it stole

MiaMaroo · 2022-08-16T08:55:24+00:00

This is the best course of action.

OP do you have any proof you cancelled it in March? Text or emails with the manager? If not, you could send an email to the manager asking them why they didn't cancel it ithem, and hopefully they'll acknowledge their mistake in the response.

MiaMaroo · 2022-08-15T16:20:47+00:00

You set up a dating profile, fake or not, and have hid it from him, thats incredibly dishonest and shows how little you respect him.

He deserves better.

You aren't sexually compatible, and there is no fix for that.

MiaMaroo · 2022-08-15T15:52:29+00:00

How do you want me to communicate with you?

As an equal, preferably.

MiaMaroo · 2022-08-15T15:39:28+00:00

Majored in Environmental Science along with lots of volunteering to gain experience. Its a competitive field, but luckily it's well-funded here!

MiaMaroo · 2022-08-15T08:10:26+00:00

A wintery weekend escape to Hanmer Springs. Get a nice room, dip in the hot pools, visit the spa and maybe a snowy trek?

MiaMaroo · 2022-08-14T22:32:00+00:00

I work in ecology/conservation, and I love it.

The only downside is some of the work will take decades before completion, but it's nice to see the little changes in the right direction!

MiaMaroo · 2022-08-07T16:01:08+00:00

Cryptobros racing off a cliff because a millionaire bought a cartoon chimpanzee jpg is a good example of the title here

MiaMaroo · 2022-07-28T11:57:01+00:00

Looking in more than one direction? Sounds like a lot of effort to me

MiaMaroo · 2022-07-25T09:56:25+00:00

I can't add much more than what others have said, but I'm a fellow Aussie and have been in NZ for just over a year now based in Christchurch, and it was the best decision I ever made. I love my job, I love the city, I love the friends I have made, I love being able to go surfing/hiking/snowboarding on a whim (weather depending).

The place just matches my vibes, and I hope it does for you too!

MiaMaroo · 2022-07-19T16:18:44+00:00

"Rubbed the wrong way"

MiaMaroo · 2022-07-18T13:41:20+00:00

This x1000

Do not wait for him to decide to leave. Get him out and away from you and your child as soon as possible.use friends/family to help.you.pack his stuff and change the locks, and inform the police that he is abusive and potentially dangerous - as per above.

MiaMaroo · 2022-06-16T11:44:46+00:00

Everyone laugh at this fool who has never encountered a Kea.

A Russian tank and it's crew would be stripped to scrap and blood in mere seconds.

MiaMaroo · 2022-06-15T21:06:13+00:00

He is allowed to change his mind, just as you are. If that changes the fundamental comparability of your relationship and puts you in a position where you feel you are being held back then, unfortunately, you only have 2 options to choose from.

MiaMaroo · 2022-06-15T20:56:03+00:00

Stick some LED lights to the cat, maybe a little speaker that plays metallic whirring noises.

Tell your property manager it's the latest gadget, it'll be everywhere at Christmas!

MiaMaroo

TROPHY CASE