With a tent and an airbed packed into his Mercedes-Benz, Jurgen Karl Ahrens made the New Zealand outdoors his home.

When rhododendron and world music festivals are the main drawcards to Taranaki, you could be forgiven for thinking the region has traded its wild west coast image for an altogether more hippy vibe.

A still summer night seems like the perfect time to just lie on your back gazing at the stars.

James Russell rounds up a few water sports you may want to get your teeth into this summer...

It's hard to resist comparisons to the movies when you're on a ship like the Sore Larsen, writes Bronwyn Sell.

Who are we really fighting for access to our beaches? Herald journalist Yvonne Tahana and photographer Richard Robinson took to the road to find out...

Trams are expected to run on Auckland's waterfront by August in an $8m project which saw the first modest section of tracks laid this week.

What is your favourite New Zealand beach and why? Has it changed much over the years you have been visiting? Send us Your Views.

In whispers, Far North residents tell one another they have the best beach in the country on their doorstep.

In the 1950s, high-profile American surfers and their camera crews broadened their search for the perfect wave beyond their home beaches.

North Head tunnels, Devonport
Takarunga Rd, Cheltenham

In the development heyday of the 1950s, holiday homes shot up on narrow, sandy fingers of land around New Zealand's coastline.

At New Zealand's most famous surf beach - and the birthplace of modern surfing - an environmental battle is being fought on several fronts.

While you're slumming it this summer, others are living it up.

Travellers describe the best and worst of their time in New Zealand.

Experiencing Pakiri Beach on horseback is an ideal way to spend a summer's day.

A Northland tour destination brings back fond memories for one of the members of Fat Freddy's Drop.

In Whakatane, you feel adventure is just around the corner. It's the frontier to discovery whether you're on wheels, on foot or on water.

Which routes do you enjoy travelling and sightseeing on? Send us Your Views.

Over the next few weeks we'll be profiling some of the country's coolest, most unusual baches available for rent.

The Herald on Sunday is asking tourists over summer about the highlights and lowlights of their trip to New Zealand.

Record numbers of rooms are still available for people to book their summer break.

Holidaymakers joining the Christmas exodus from Auckland are being encouraged to check road and traffic conditions before leaving home, to improve chances of safe and relatively hassle-free trips.

Visitors heading for Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel this year should take care when walking through the cove's iconic archway, the Department of Conservation (DOC) warned today.

International visitors to New Zealand have increased in the past year, but Kiwis are opting to travel abroad for their holidays.

Stumped for school-holiday ideas? Nine-year-old Grace Jack counts down her top five faves.

Glacier-walking's blend of beauty and adrenalin leaves Liz Light spellbound.

Get off the couch. You know you'll feel better, especially when you can come home to leftovers and a lie down.