New Zealand in February (ndr)

Todd Duncan Tennyson

Todd Duncan Tennyson

Well-known member
Hi everyone, It has been a spell since I was on here and decided to ask if anyone has ever been to New Zealand before?

Me and Anya moved down to the Ashland (Or) area and have a little restaurant that keeps us pretty busy during the best months, but, allows us some time off in Feb/March.

We decided to go to NZ, because in Feb, the weather should be good down there, and we can stop through in Thailand to see her mom and sisters on the way in and the way back.


What are some things that would be good to do in NZ? Any hotspots I should focus on?

I'd like to blast some feral peacocks if I can.. But doubt it will be duck season then.


Let me know what you know.

Best,

Todd
 
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Hey Todd,
Just wanted to wish you and Anya all the best with your new business. Good luck! As for New Zealand, one of the guys I used to teach with in Anchorage (after retiring) would go down there every year in January and February and fish. We used to fly fish the Kenai/Russian River complex in the summer months in Alaska. Carl and Ruth absolutely loved it down there.
Al
 
I spent 25 days on the south island a few years ago. It's a beautiful place. My dad and I hunted the duck opener and three of us shot our 60 mallard limit in about 3 hours! Duck season does not open until May 1 though. Trout fishing is great, canada goose season will be open when you are there, and I think you can hunt other big game species all year long if you want to book a hunt.

The northern island is a lot more settled with more farms/people and lot of vineyards. The south is much more open and pretty IMO. Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen and I'd call it a "must see". A glow worm tour at Lake Te Anau is pretty cool.

If you plan to fish or hunt, get a few copies of http://www.nzhunter.co.nz/. I hunted with the editor and he's a very knowledgeable guy.

Look in the night sky for the Southern Cross which they use to find directions like we use the Big Dipper/North Star.

Lots of venison on the menus and it's all really good. Also have goat on many menus, if you want to try it but money is tight...just gnaw on the bottom of your boot for a while and you'll know what it's like :)

Ask away if there's anything else you want to know.
 
I lived on the South Island for 2 years, from 2005-2007. We lived in a little town about 2hrs north of Christchurch called Kaikoura, one of the most beautiful spots on earth. Lots of whale watching just offshore, I would highly recommend it! Lots of vineyards just to the north of us in Marlborough too. February is mid-summer down there so the weather will be nice. If you're interested in hunting down there you can hunt pigs and red stag year-round, also rabbits and some parts of the South Island have year-round Canada goose seasons. Milford Sound as Kevin said is one of the most beautiful places you will ever see. Basically anything you want to do will be world-class: saltwater fishing, trout fishing, camping, backpacking (called tramping in NZ). If you're into hiking and backpacking there are several multi-day tracks you can do where you stay in huts in the backcountry at night. There is some great stuff on the North island too, the first time we travelled to NZ we bought a camper van and just travelled the North island for 4 months. Eat some meat pies and drink a beer at a country pub! You will be hard pressed to find more friendly folks than the Kiwis. The native Maori culture is still very strong down there too, if you get a chance to travel to Rotorua on the North island you will get to experience a lot of native culture. Visit a Marae (Maori meeting house) if you get the chance. Another recommendation that I would have is to try to stop over in a tropical paradise like Fiji or Tahiti, usually you can stop over there for a few days without too much extra airfare. PM me if you need some more info, and if you wouldn't mind picking up that 1918 Lee-Enfield rifle I left at my buddy's house and bringing it back I would be much obliged.....
 
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Todd
Your traveling to my wife and my favorite place. You have to stop in Queenstown and do the original bungy jump off the Kawarau suspension bridge. To my wife's horror I did it and discovered I was the oldest American to do it (79) at that time. They didn't charge me and gave me a video of it . It was great--don't miss it or the other suggestions for hunting and fishing on here.
wis boz
 
We were there last year for the end of March and all of April I think. No matter how long you go for, you won't have enough time.

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I loved fishing there, you might too. Gear was expensive though so if I went back I'd take all my own stuff. People stream fishing were wearing waders but I didn't need them, just sandals and shorts was fine. It was cold, but not brain damage cold.

Mike
 
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