Wind, Earth, and Whispers: Finding the Soul of Aotearoa

February, 2025

Listening closely to the untamed spaces that hold centuries of story.

Ferrymead Heritage Park, Westport Beach and Tuhawaiki Point

Duration: 2 weeks

Cities: Christchurch, Hokitika, Kaikōura, Westport, Te Waipounamu, Nelson, Timaru

Miles Travelled: 30 000

Traveling through parts of New Zealand’s South Island offers a rich tapestry of history, landscape, and local character that leaves a quiet imprint on the soul. At Ferrymead Heritage Park in Christchurch, the past comes alive in an Edwardian village where steam trains chug through cobbled lanes and vintage trams glide past recreated storefronts — a place where history isn’t just displayed, it’s lived. Further up the coast, Westport stands resilient on the edge of the Tasman Sea, its roots in coal, gold, and Māori trade routes grounding it in stories of endurance and community. Then, southward near Timaru, Tūhawaiki Point rises with a calm dignity — a windswept headland named for a revered Ngāi Tahu chief whose legacy still echoes in the crash of waves and the steady beam of the lighthouse that guards the shore. Each of these places offers more than a visit — they offer a sense of connection, of standing where stories live.

Culture 100% 100%
Food 100% 100%
Transportation 50% 50%
People 100% 100%

“Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tūohu koe, me he maunga teitei.”
— “Pursue that which is precious, and if you falter, let it be to a lofty mountain.” – Encouragement to aim high, and if you must fall, fall with dignity.

Hikitika

Traveling to Hokitika on New Zealand’s West Coast offers a deeply atmospheric blend of natural beauty, Māori heritage, and small-town charm that lingers long after you’ve gone. One of the highlights is simply wandering its windswept beach at sunset, where driftwood sculptures stand like silent sentinels and the sky turns molten above the Tasman Sea. There’s a wildness here — not just in the landscape, but in the town’s gold rush past and its enduring creative spirit.

Walking through the Hokitika Gorge, there’s a kind of quiet awe that settles in — as if the forest itself is holding its breath. The path winds through ancient rimu trees and lush undergrowth until suddenly the turquoise water appears, impossibly vibrant beneath a swinging suspension bridge. The air is cool and rich with the scent of damp earth, stone, and moss. The sound of the river echoes softly against steep cliffs, and for a moment, you feel completely held by the land — present, still, and small in the most beautiful way.

Ka mau te wehi!
— That’s awesome! (So good it’s scary!)

Meaning: Celebrate someone doing something unexpectedly great.

Best Food & Drink

1. Pegasus Bay Winery

Nestled in the Waipara Valley of North Canterbury, the winery produces elegant, age-worthy wines that reflect the rhythm of the land and the cool maritime climate. Each bottle speaks to generations of family winemaking and a deep respect for terroir. Sipping here isn’t just about flavor — it’s about feeling the story of the vineyard, the soil, and the slow, careful craft behind every pour.

2. Pic’s Peanut Butter

Sitting in the café at Pic’s Peanut Butter World with a slice of warm toast and a generous spread of freshly made peanut butter feels like the perfect pause in a cheerful, nutty haven where flavour, fun, and local pride come together.