The Blog: where all the good stuff happens.
Head just one hour north of Wellington and you reach the Wairarapa region which is rapidly becoming one of my favourite places to visit. Not only are there multiple independent bookshops spread across the region’s five main towns, but you can do anything from walking to wine tasting and seal spotting in a relatively confined area.
Read MoreParnell is distinctly ecclesiastical in tone if you start out at the top of the hill near The Holy Trinity Cathedral, but I would coax you to the bottom of the hill past the bricked paths of Parnell village and the Chocolate Boutique where apparently Bill Clinton once stopped for in for a Hot Chocolate with Chelsea. (His thank you letter from the White House is framed on the wall.) As you pass the boutiques and cafes, just as the road threatens to turn you’ll spot Lamplight Books on the right-hand side of the road. The entrance is tucked away in the enclosed courtyard in the centre of the building and when you walk in, you walk into a space made of warmth, light and a love for books.
Read MoreOne for new books and two for old…….Head over the Harbour Bridge, avoiding rush hour, and make your way to the Northern suburb of Milford. Set on the beach with views over to Rangitoto, Milford is a lovely spot to escape the central city
Read MoreIf there’s one thing better than a room full of books it’s a barn full of books and sometimes in New Zealand it’s about knowing where to look as these huge secondhand bookshops are often tucked out of sight on industrial estates or in small towns that you might rattle through on a road trip to a bigger centre
Read MoreCross the main town bridge and turn right and you’ll find yourself on Grey Street, the commercial hub of Hamilton East. There are more cafes than you can shake a stick at and a burgeoning shopping scene with independent shops and boutiques.
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