Watch This BEFORE Going to New Zealand

[@nickandraychel]

Thanks for watching! We have 2 months left in our travels around New Zealand & we can't wait to share it with you. Let us know if we missed anything down in the comments, as I'm sure future travellers will appreciate your advice ❤ so much love for this gorgeous country x

[@markvegar1442]

Petrol is still cheaper than bottled water to buy

[@marcanderson8669]

Your awreness of the nature around you here, your efforts to embrace our indigenous culture, and the way you guys have slotted yourselves into our way of life with comparable ease kinda makes you honorary Kiwis. That's a tag you can be proud of, and wear for life no matter where you may be. Welcome to the funny farm.

[@nickandraychel]

This really means so much to us, thank you 🙏

[@greghodge3587]

As a Kiwi it is heartwarming to see how you have embraced NZ. Thank you both for being awesome ambassadors. Stay well and the future is yours. Cheers .

[@nickandraychel]

Thank you so much!

[@jamesjemson8913]

Hi guys I'm originally from Vancouver, but have lived here for many years, in Auckland, Hawkes Bay, and now Nelson . Lots of great information in this video, and you have a greet way of presenting it. I see many people (especially Americans) try to rush their way through the country and miss so much, but you two have done it justice. Enjoy the rest of your time here, you've been great gusts! Cheers

[@nickandraychel]

Thank you so much for your comment, it means a lot :)

[@paulo49252]

Thanks for the NZ promo and touring our awesome little slice of paradise at the bottom of the World. I've followed your journey, been to all the places you have covered and more. I love my annual road trip around the Country. I would recommend travelling off the main highways where possible to really explore. South Island is superb on bike or car, lots of twisties if wanted. I would suggest you travel clockwise (down east coast and up the west coast) keeps you on the side of the road you will always be pulling off to take pic's/ breaks.

[@nickandraychel]

Thank you for the suggestions and for following along!

[@leannecoffey8964]

wow guys, kiwi here, love this video. I would recommend anyone thinking of coming here to NZ, watch this video!

[@nickandraychel]

That’s a huge compliment. Thank you!

[@leah436]

As a Canadian from the prairies, I agree that the North Island is just as beautiful as the South (....more beautiful in my opinion). But that's because I lived close to the Rocky Mountains and went there alot, so I'm used to that landscape. I LOVE the tropical feel of the north island. The Bay of Islands is my favourite place. But really, this place is crazy beautiful everywhere you go. I've been lucky enough to live in NZ 10 years now, and it feels like home. Enjoy your last couple of months!

[@IlupHK]

Very informative, appreciated. Thank you Raychel & Nick

[@nickandraychel]

Our pleasure!

[@susanarivera4350]

I've always wanted to move to NZ, I find it so beautiful and so interesting. But I do admit I don't know much about it other than tourist spots. Would LOVE to see more things about normal life in NZ

[@Andrew_travels_New_Zealand]

Great Video advertising my home Aotearoa New Zealand, thank you. Even as a Kiwi who has seen a lot of NZ I learn't quite a bit. There is indeed much to see and do here.

[@nickandraychel]

There is so much to see and learn! We love it here. Thanks for watching.

[@KiwiGlen]

We love your nz content you both are an asset to us kiwis be great if you extended your visas another year we would love to keep you

[@nickandraychel]

Thank you so much that means so much to us

[@ytzpilot]

I moved to New Zealand from Canada in 2011 and not going back, our kids are born here therefore they are first generation kiwis, this is there country they identify with, but they like Canada too

[@nickandraychel]

Aw love that

[@alexandramcpherson4189]

This was actually a really good summary guys!! And I love that you prefer the North Island being a North Islander!! hahaha A tip to any visitors, if you only have time for one Island and want adventure, you can do the North Island and just come to Rotorua and Taupo for all the adventure stuff, we have jet boating, bungy jumping etc all within 10 mins of each other in Taupo, and Rotorua has tons of fun type of stuff to do. love that you guys have enjoyed it and such a good review, maybe it's not so bad here haha

[@MrEvonz]

Another Kiwi here, great info, we also Love our BBQ

[@nickandraychel]

Thanks! Yes we realized during the edit that because we don't eat meat, we missed out on some important information when it comes to food - like traditional hāngī (I know we can still have the vegetables), but even things like lamb and venison that are on most menus - or the seafood. That would probably much better be described by a local! Thanks for watching :)

[@grahamcook9289]

Most long range international flights land at Auckland, with a few landing at Christchurch. Only flights from Australia land at Wellington or Queenstown (and of course Auckland and Christchurch).

[@modfus]

I'll miss you guys when you go 😊 - but I'll follow you to your next destination.

[@nickandraychel]

We’re so grateful you’ve followed along! This week we’re exploring more of the Bay of Plenty and then next week heading to the Coromandel!

[@grahamcook9289]

The central North Island can definitely see frost and snow due to its exposed altitude. I have even experienced a mild frost on several mornings in Auckland.

[@alexandramcpherson4189]

Can 100 percent confirm we get frost in the central North, Taupo is absolutely feezing in winter!!

[@arjayandjasmina]

ok.. this convinced us to visit NZ🤝

[@nickandraychel]

You should!

[@johngettins794]

Thanks for mentioning the North Island , yes their is rivalry between the islands. I'm in Rotorua and look up at Skyline Sky rides from my home to hear people enjoying themselves on the luge . You probably have seen on the news more North American airlines have been transporting tourists directly to Christchurch then Queenstown ,and bypassing the north island altogether ,some overseas tourists think that's all that is necessary for a NZ trip.

[@nickandraychel]

It was actually really shocking to us! A lot of the information online suggests to skip the North Island completely - whereas our adventures up here as been some of our favourite.

[@alexandramcpherson4189]

yeah and it's such a shame, Taupo and Rotorua offer everything queenstown has to offer.... and the rest of the North Island offers a lot more diversity than the South, people are missing out bypassing the North.

[@krh007]

Watched and enjoyed all your videos as like the way you two vlog. Chiming in from Perth West Aussie and have travelled in a motorhome all the places you have been to & NZ is a stunning country to visit as a tourist. For your next adventure you guys would like Tassie (just west of NZ) as another small tourist paradise. However the crown in the jewel for you two would be tripping around Aussie on a budget just like YT vloggers "One Pack Wanderers" from US have recently completed their big lap (including Tassia) so check them out for many tips & ideas, but it would be handy if you could get your 4wd to come with you as the ideal way to travel Aussie and have a real blast. Plenty of casual hospitality work on the west coast (WA is the 2nd largest State on the planet with 13,000kms of glorious coastline to explore in a 4WD and very diverse from bottom to top with the best soft white sandy beaches you can imagine plus much warmer climate than NZ ideal for free camping. Hope to see you two over here in the near future

[@boomertuxx]

"NZs food is expenaive cos we are so isolated" Yes all that meat and milk we have to import from overseas! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I agree lots of vegan places here. I often buy plant based products and the vegan pies from Bin Inn are really good. There is a vegetarian cafe just down the road from my place. As for North vs South. I need to visit the SI more as the furthest south i go is Wellington.... thats cold enough but the SI cold is prob more similar to what i experienced in the US.... ie actually cold as opposed to just insane windchill from Wellington gales haha. I love Wellington though... very beautiful city with the hills and the valleys... even the wind adds to the charm of the place.

[@Jeffmell-ot2yz]

The prices are high if you are working there like you guys. If you are just going for vacation from the US, the current exchange rate is .61 US dollars to 1 NZ dollar. A hotel that is listed at 120$NZ is only $74 US dollars. I picked up hitch hikers both time I have been to NZ.

[@nickandraychel]

Yeah if you made USD a lot of countries in the world will feel more affordable I suppose... our CAD goes a bit further here but not by much

[@johnofnz1949]

Aotearoa is not NZ, it's the North Island. The South Island is Te Waipounamu.

[@grahamcook9289]

The NZETA has increased from $17 to $200.

[@Pes_mobile_1111]

If you need logo design with a good price, I am here for you

[@pemonline3395]

If you come here, bring lots of money. It isn't cheap to stay here.

[@nickandraychel]

Yes the exception is if someone is coming with USD or EUR, their dollar goes much further. It’s almost like everything is 40% off lol

[@petercrawford3370]

We're not in the heart of the Pacific, to be more precise, We're in the heart of the South Pacific.

[@nickandraychel]

Good point ❤

[@G7FX_REVIEWS]

New Zealand is not expensive not if you compare to West Europe/Scandinavia. To get a Hotel or Airbnb in West Europe/Scandinavia will cost you much more then in New Zealand.

[@nickandraychel]

Youre right. New Zealand is expensive, but it’s not THAT expensive - it was rated the 18th most expansive country in the world for tourists

[@boomertuxx]

​@nickandraychel it's more affordability thats the issue in NZ and the distance to fly to get here. The issue with NZ is cost vs wages.... not really applicable to tourists. Some touristy things are expensive but so are the theme parks at the Gold Coast. Hiking is free 😂😂

[@LiliaKelso]

i live in new zealand

[@grahamcook9289]

Gas stations? Fossil fuel stations!

[@TheOnlyTaps]

🫡👊🏿

[@grahamcook9289]

Nose rings are not a look on either a man or a woman.

[@Mikemonoa-hz2rz]

As a person whos half Hawaiian, half new zealander i literally hate new zealand it drives me crazy the pay sux lol

[@nickandraychel]

Lol it’s much better than back home in Canada! For us we think the pay is soooo good even minimum wage is crazy high for us

[@boomertuxx]

Depends what you do and what your into. Hawaii isn't exactly known for its affordability either with the most expensive homes of any state in the US. My younger self who was hugely into kitesurfing and windsurfing would have liked it there however. Maybe when I'm too old to handle NZs cold weather I mite consider retiring in a place like Hawaii or Bermuda 😂😂😂😂

[@ytzpilot]

Native Hawaiians are getting priced out of the islands because wealthy mainlanders can come buy pretty much anything, freedom of movement is a right in the USA so a wealthy New Yorker has no limits on moving in and buying properties or anything they want. New Zealand doesn’t have this problem we are a sovereign nation with an overseas investment office that protects and limits offshore purchases.

[@jeffs6675]

THE BANE IS NOT AOTEOROWA!! JUST NEW ZEALAND IS THE NAME. THANKS.

[@grahamcook9289]

NZ definitely does NOT have great wines.

[@nickandraychel]

It is one of the world's most famous countries for wine production and NZ wine has won many, many awards...

[@alexandramcpherson4189]

That is just plain wrong. NZ has some of the best wines in the world. We do a few things really well and that's one of them. credit where credits due.