In this big room, I hear the voices of people all around the world echoing and bouncing around the walls. Laughter, and stories from young and old, couples, best friends, and solo travellers all coming together to eat a delicious hangi, a traditional Maori way of cooking food underground. The smoky, earthy flavours made me think to myself: “I’m so glad we did this.”

My best friend had been planning a solo New Zealand trip and with full-time university, little hours at my retail job I didn’t think it was a good idea to go like she wanted to me. Then, just six weeks before she left, I was sitting on a bench waiting for my next class when she called me, “are you sure you don’t want to come?”

That was enough.

Before I knew it, we were boarding a plane, on my first official trip out of the country.

The excitement quickly shifted into nerves; I’d kept replaying the conversations I’d had with people in my head on the flight over. Did I make the right choice? Everyone had the same uncomfortable reaction when I said I was going to the North instead of the South. They’re quick-witted “you need to go here”, “this place is great”, “the snow is this and that” quickly shifted to an awkward pause “Oh, I’ve never been to the North”. They looked, not worried but almost confused on why that was my decision when the South had such an incredible reputation.

Why didn’t anyone ever go to the North? My worries and doubts grew as my chest tightened, but my mind was changed when we got there.

Auckland

Auckland is a perfect place to settle the first time out of the country jitters . . . because it looks and feels a lot like home (but the air seems cleaner). Being in a city known for its night life on a weekday was an interesting choice but once that sun set, the party rose.

The city became flooded with aromatic smells of different cuisines, warm, delicious, food all around us I felt my stomach clench with hunger. Inside every restaurant is a flow of people, it was only Wednesday but still every restaurant was filled with people eating and enjoying their meals together.

I saw laughter, people off their phones and really connecting with each other. New Zealand has an amazing atmosphere no matter where you go, it’s comfortable, warm, and inviting.

Venturing out of Auckland I didn’t know what to expect, for starters I felt lied to because you grow up and hear about New Zealand all you hear about is all the sheep they have . . . wrong. Driving down the countryside I saw cows everywhere, not sheep?!

Utterly disappointed, the view quickly made up for it. The city itself is lush, but the second you leave beautiful green, almost unreal looking hills start to form, and you are welcomed into the most beautiful countryside you’ve ever seen. As someone who has driven around most of Australia, and has seen enough red dirt in her lifetime it was incredible to me how a place so close could be so entirely different. It really made me reflect on what else the world has to offer.

Rotorua

I couldn’t wait to be in Rotorua, for some reason no one knew anything about the north apart from the fact that Rotorua had a “smell”, which by the way I didn’t even notice? The town itself is beautiful, hills with houses overlooking the intense greenery and sparkling lakes. The main attractions of Rotorua are the cultural centre and luge park, which did not disappoint. Both very different experiences left me feeling incredibly indulged in my holiday.

Entering the fabulous “Rotovegas” as they call it, the famous luge ride was of course the first thing I had to hit. Following my best friend down a steep hill, with fast twists, turns, and tunnels you are left gasping for air because you’re laughing so hard. Ebony, who I never managed to beat, raced past me every time. We were giggling like little kids racing down over, and over again. After way too many turns on the luge we decided to actually grow up and do something else.

Exploring the park filled with other tourists you see the big smiles on everyone’s faces. Everyone having a great day, no complaints, it did feel pretty magical. After adventuring through the park’s other activities and eating some yummy food (you have to give some New Zealand treats a try while you’re here) we ventured back down to get ready for the cultural experience.

The cultural village felt like you were in an entirely different part of New Zealand. Inside was where Maori people could live and embrace their culture fully. The night had an incredible host, making jokes (a lot about Australia), and ensuring that everyone took something from the night.

Seeing the traditional stories be told, cultural dances done and songs performed created a real warmth in my heart to see how beautifully this country embraces its culture.

We were then all huddled around a big pit. Earthy, charcoal smells filled our noses as we saw a traditional hangi being made. The warm smells of potatoes and meats made my stomach rumble. Being spring it was warm during the day but you wanted nothing more than a nice, comforting warm meal by the end and this filled that gap completely.

Of course, it was delicious and followed by some drinks and a pavlova, which we were specifically called out as the Australians to let us know that we did not invent the pavlova New Zealand did. We sat at our tables chatting, eating, and enjoying each other’s company. Rotorua felt like a special present, almost as if the town itself had given me a tight hug.

Now, remember how I said Rotorua was meant to have a smell? Oh I found it. The drive between Rotorua and Taupo leads you past volcanic parks where you will get to see the land for what it really is. All around you are bright fluorescent colours contrasting the dark grey of the rocks and steam as you walk around.

It’s so strangely beautiful, but being volcanic and steamy there is a stench that follows. I am pretty dramatic though so don’t take my word for it.

Taupo

Taupo feels very similar to Rotorua, maybe because of the very small geographical difference between them. It almost reminds me of the part in American movies where families go to their lake houses in the summers, yet it’s not packed and I’m sure is a lot more beautiful.

Every part of that lake has something you can go and do, at one end Ebony and I saw a lookout, another had benches and places to go sit and eat, the next you can go rent out kayaks and other floaties to hang around on a nice warm day, and then finally in the main part of town the lakes edge holds many restaurants of all different cuisines, perfect for a good feed and view.

Whanganui

The drive from Taupo to Wellington was long, and Ebony has family in Whangenui so we decided to go see them. We weren’t too sure what to expect, there isn’t a lot of information on things to do in Whanganui. The quiet old town brought some peace and serenity after a busy couple of days. Popular for its fishing, we managed to see people all along the coast line with their rods out just enjoying the quiet and the stillness.

Wellington

Hitting ‘Windy’ Wellington I was so naive. Obviously being from Perth and spending a lot of time with family in Dongara I thought I knew what wind was, but I was so wrong. Walking just across the road to see the museum people’s hair was blowing, umbrellas to protect them from the sun all turned inside out, I felt like I could barely walk because I was being pushed so forcefully from the wind. Wellington was a beautiful artsy city, we had little time there but it was a great way to finalise the trip.

Yes, I am sure that the south has so many amazing things to offer and I am not trying to convince you not to go there. I’d personally love to go by myself. If you have the extra time, you may as well see both! Because the North deserves to be explored. I went in expecting a lot less and got an amazing experience and not only did I learn, but I experienced so much that I wouldn’t go back home.

The hangi I had, surrounded by people I’d never met but who had that familiar homey feeling, filled with laughter and traditional Maori stories, made me realise the North was exactly where I was meant to be.