Danielle Wright finds it's the simple, rather than most expensive, things in life that create the best family holidays.

Danielle Wright spends a weekend in a regional park and discovers that having nothing to do can be a very good thing.

A new book checks out 70 outlets sure to delight coffee-lovers, writes Jim Eagles.

Air New Zealand has this morning slashed its cheapest domestic airfares by up to $10 as it launches new low-cost seats.

Te Araroa - a national walkway running the length of the country - will be officially opened this weekend.

Pop-up tents make camping easy, writes Diana Clement.

A meander to Whangaparaoa makes for a perfect Sunday, finds Helen van Berkel.

It doesn't take long for the creative and picturesque charms of Northland's west coast to enrapture Kirsten Warner.

Neville Peat laps up a rafting trip on the Clarence River in North Canterbury.

A weekend on a South Canterbury farm charms Sheriden Rhodes.

Forty containers have now been lifted off the stricken cargo ship Rena, aground off the Bay Of Plenty coast.

Fine wine, great food, pretty cycle trails ... Mangere has it all, finds Catherine Smith.

Looking for some inspiration for your summer holidays? Readers have suggested some of their favourite NZ campgrounds.

It's time to start dreaming of your summer escape so we've rounded up some classic Kiwi baches to inspire you.

Danielle Wright learns to live with the artistic tastes of her children as they race around the Kid's Trail at the Auckland Botanic Gardens.

A wing and a prayer won't get you to the beach on time, says Liz Dobson

The small historic Northland town of Russell has plenty to offer for a summer getaway, writes Susan Edmunds.

Beauty abounds where once there was sewage and sludge, finds Liz Light.

Liz Light gets in touch with farming New Zealand at the Canterbury A&P Show.

It costs $10,000 a night - but the cream of Auckland hoteliers are calling the Pullman Hotel's new presidential suite a "marketing gimmick".

Our city has much to offer chefs with an Asian persuasion, writes Alexia Santamaria.

A winery tour by horseback is a good reintroduction to horse-riding, finds Claire McCall.

Pioneer brothers created a memorial to a wrecked ship, says Raewyn Court.

Paul Rush explores the pink-tinged, sculptured coasts of Coromandel.

Massive public demand for Christchurch red zone bus tours overloaded phone lines this morning.

Queenstown and Southern Lakes has been named one of Lonely Planet's top 10 regions to visit next year.

It's a sunny-ish day but some threatening clouds are lurking. I don't care, I'm keen to get outdoors.

East Cape's bush and beaches set off the superb artistry of its people, says Jim Eagles.

Danielle Wright takes a bike ride down memory lane, peddling past quaint caravans and kitsch holiday homes in Orewa.

With all the recent changes Alexia Santamaria discovers the city has a definite cosmopolitan feel.