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[[File:Elsa amylin kiwi experience.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Elsa and [[User:Amylin|Amylin]] hitching the Kiwi experience]] '''New Zealand''' is an extremely easy country for hitchhiking. There are a lot of friendly people, and hitching is legal and comparatively safe. By hitching you'll be involved a lot in local life. You'll receive invitations to parties and homes. Cars drive on the left side, so be careful if you're not experienced with that. At least in high and shoulder season, hitchhiking is very popular among backpackers travelling around New Zealand, especially in the South Island. Leave early before hostel checkout times (usually 10am) and you'll have better chances of avoiding competition with other hitchhikers. There are only motorways around the big cities, [[Auckland]], [[Christchurch]], [[Wellington]] and [[Dunedin]], the rest are highways, secondary/tertiary roads or dirt roads.
== In General ==
Another awesome place to travel, [[WWOOF]] and hitch. Not as many long distance rides as in the Australian outback[[Outback]], but because towns were are quite close together. Amory Tarr had no troubles coming up and down the west coast (South Island), or in fact anywhere really. The only problem spot was in the concrete jungle that is auckland. It is illegal to even walk on any of the motorwayseach other, including the but on-ramps ($200 instant fine). It is also a very, very big city to walk across. If you want to head south your best bet is to go to the bus station under the sky tower and get a ticket to Bombay junction (about $15) and when you get there, walk across the road other hand not as "dangerous" to the on ramp which has plenty of space. Heading north, get a bus to Orewa (which is worth visiting on its own) and hitch from therehitchhike.
=== North Island or Te Ika-a-Māui ===A bit smaller than the South Island, although much more populated: 3.5 million out of New Zealand's 4.5 million inhabitants. This island is a bit less touristy, but cities are bigger. Hitching is easy. === South Island or Te Waipounamu ===On the The South Island is bigger but less populated, only 1 million, and is the most touristy so you will often be picked up by travelers, especially along the West Coast, where there isn't a lot of local traffic. Hitching is extremely easy.
== Maps ==
* [http://www.topomap.co.nz/] Topomaps for hiking etc with all tracks, contour lines etc - an online version of official and free LINZ maps* [http://www.doc.govt.nz/maps] DOC maps with markup for tracks, huts and activities*[http://www.newzealand.com/travel/destinations/new-zealand-map/interactive_map_home.cfm/ newzealand.comcommercial tourism info]*[http://smaps== People == New Zealanders refer to themselves as "Kiwis", like the fruit or the flightless bird. The indigenous people of New Zealand are the Māori, who make up 17% of the national population. They have their own unique culture and customs, totally different to the Pākeha (white) population. One of these that may concern a hitchhiker is the "Hongi", the traditional greeting. Many Māori, especially the elders prefer this to shaking hands. Basically, it is pressing the nose and forehead together with the other party.coDon't be afraid or confused, it is acceptable for people who are not Māori to perform this, in fact it is welcomed! Many Kiwi's like to say "Kia Ora" (Kee-Or-rah) instead of hello in English.nz/ smapsIt means hello but in Te Reo, the language of the Māori.coUsing this will endear you to the Kiwis.nz] In general, avoid from discussing race relations, the Treaty of Waitangi, Covid- searchable database 19 or politics with Kiwis as these are touchy subjects. You will meet more Māori in Northland and fast loading mapsthe East Cape, travel to these regions for an interesting cultural experience!
== When? ==
Summers start in October/November but being a maritime climate the weather can be changeable. The weather in January - March is a little more settled.
Winter can be harsh and snowy, keep this in mind when planning your trip. The general snowy season is about early June until early October in the South Island/central North Island. Gloves, scarf and hat are definitely a good idea.
== Other travelling info ==
Look at the [http://nomadwiki.org/en/New_Zealand Nomadwiki article] for more, but free camping ("freedom camping") has recently become a huge issue and can expose you to a NZ$200 fine. Enforcement officers are very active in summer and it is best to find legitimate free camping spots provided by local councils or DoC.
== North Island ==
* [[Auckland]], biggest city
* [[Hamilton (New Zealand)]]
* [[Rotorua]]
* [[New Plymouth]]
* [[Palmerston North]]
* [[Taupo]]
* [[Tauranga]]
* [[Wellington]], the capital city
* [[Whangarei]]
== South Island ==
* [[Richmond]]
* [[Aoraki/Mt Cook]]
*[[Punakaiki]]
== Personal experience ==
== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==
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[[cswiki:New Zealand]]
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[[trash:New Zealand]]
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[[Category:New Zealand| ]]
[[Category:Oceania]]