One thing I didn’t really think about before moving was how much my hobbies at home depended on warm weather. In Hawaiʻi, I could always go to the beach, lay in the sun, or swim whenever I wanted. But, as it’s getting colder and windier in New Zealand heading into winter, I’ve had to find different ways to spend my free time. Lately, I’ve started coloring and watercolor painting, which has actually been really relaxing. It’s been nice having something creative to do indoors,

Toward the end of the trip, we were definitely starting to slow things down a bit, partly because we’d been doing a lot all week, and partly because the weather wasn’t great. It was pretty rainy, so we were trying to find things to do indoors that didn’t cost much, which is how we ended up at the Auckland War Memorial Museum and the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. The museum was such a good option, especially since it was free for students. We went in thinking we’d be in t

The zoo ended up being way bigger than I expected, and there was honestly so much to see. There were heaps of different birds, which were cool, but the main attraction was seeing a kiwi, which felt pretty special. Then you’ve got all the usual big zoo animals as well, separated by habitat on different walking paths, such as the South East Asia Jungle Track, the Africa Safari Track, and Te Wao Nui (Aotearoa New Zealand). Probably the most interesting part was their animal hosp

One of the best things about being in Auckland is how easy it is to get out of the city without really going far at all. I didn’t have anything too structured planned, but I knew I wanted to make the most of it, so jumping on a ferry felt like an easy win. That’s how I ended up doing day trips to Waiheke Island and Devonport. Waiheke felt like a proper little escape, but getting there was slightly chaotic. The website said to arrive about 30 minutes before the scheduled ferry

I didn’t really have a solid plan for spring break this year. But I knew I didn’t want to sit around doing nothing. I wanted to go somewhere where there’d be things happening, even if I figured it out as I went, and Auckland felt like the perfect place to start. There’s always something going on there, so it seemed like a safe bet for a last-minute, loosely planned trip. Polyfest was easily a highlight. The whole place felt alive, music, colour, and just a really strong sens

Beautiful landscapes, ocean views, and unexpected wildlife sightings, all packed into about a 4.5 hour adventure on the southern edge of Wellington. Planning the Perfect Route I knew I wanted to do the Red Rocks Coastal Walk because itʻs highly recommended. But, I also knew I didnʻt really want to do an out-and-back hike. So, I started by browsing WellingtonNZ.com to get a sense of the different tracks in the area. There are plenty of options, but I wanted something a bit mo

I ’ve been making the Wellington Harbourside Market a regular part of my Sundays for about a month now, and it’s become my go-to spot for fresh produce and local treats. I usually grab my favorites like broccoli, cucumbers, apples, and oranges. But recently I found a new favorite fruit, red kiwis, which are amazing and taste like a mix of pineapple and raspberries. The first week, I got a jar of manuka honey. I use it almost every day and still have a lot left. I have found m

I spent a day at the Wellington Zoo. There was a really wide range of animals around the zoo. I saw larger animals such as giraffes, lions, tigers, and snow leopards, along with sun bears and a few red pandas. There were also birds like the native kea, penguins, and even ostriches. The primate section had a lot going on, with chimpanzees, gibbons, tamarins, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, and two types of lemurs, ring-tailed and black-and-white ruffed. There were also small

After getting settled in Wellington, classes officially started at VUW. I have in-person classes on Tuesdays and Fridays at the Pipitea campus, which is about a 25 minute walk from my apartment. It’s actually a really nice way to start the day. The mornings are usually pretty cool and sometimes cold, but the walk is a good way to wake up. One thing I’ve already noticed is that my schedule is very different from what I’m used to at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. Most clas

I arrived in Wellington from Queenstown, got picked up by an arranged shuttle from the university, and headed straight to check into the dorms and start figuring everything out. The first couple of days were very chaotic, between moving in, getting my room set up, and walking around the city to get a feel for it. My family and I spent a lot of time around Cuba Street and Willis Street, just exploring and getting familiar with where things are. Also did the essential supply ru

I just got to Wellington for my study abroad, but before settling in, I spent a week traveling around New Zealand with my family. We landed in Auckland, slept, and left the next morning. Drove down to Rotorua, stopping at Mount Eden for views and Blue Springs along the way. Swimming in Lake Tikitapu and sunset at Hannah’s Bay were highlights. The next day, we went to Waiotapu Geothermal Area (geysers and hot pools) and did the Rainbow Mountain walk. Then back to Auckland for