Living Life Large in Northern New Zealand: A Land of Sheep, Sea, and Seriously Good People!

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"Where's your favorite place you've lived?"

It's a question I've been asked so many times, in interviews, on the road, at dinner parties, and even once while hiking on the Dragons Back in Hong Kong (true story). And while I've been lucky enough to live in 10 countries, there's one place that always leaps to mind with a smile and a full heart, New Zealand. The North Island, to be exact. Now, don't get me wrong, I've adored everywhere I've called home. But there's something about New Zealand that gets under your skin in the best possible way. Maybe it's the people. Maybe it's the air. Maybe it's the fact that you can go from serene, sheep-dotted hills to volcanic landscapes and white-sand beaches in the same afternoon. Whatever it is - New Zealand just has it.  

Where Sheep Roam and Barbecues Call

My husband and I spent three unforgettable years living in St. Heliers Bay, a charming seaside suburb of Auckland where the morning air smells of sea salt and fresh coffee, and the locals greet you like an old friend, even if you've just popped down to grab milk.

We were constantly invited to "pop over for a barbie with the mates." These weren't polite, one-time invites, no, no. This is New Zealand. These were genuine, heartfelt offers. And when a Kiwi says, "You're family now, bro," they mean it.

In fact, I wouldn't have blinked if someone had literally offered me the shirt off their back. It's just how they are, warm, generous, hilarious, and always up for a yarn over a beer or two.

The Kiwi Spirit: Adventure with a Side of Laughter 

There's a beautiful madness to Kiwis. One minute you're talking about gardening, the next you're strapped to a bungee cord being launched off a bridge. Adventure is practically a national pastime. Want to kayak around Cathedral Cove? Done. Zip-line through native bush? Easy. Try sand-boarding down giant dunes in Northland? They'll hand you a board and laugh as you scream all the way down.  There's something addictive about it - the wild landscapes, the "give-it-a-go" attitude, and that sharp, self-deprecating Kiwi humour. Dry, witty, and often accompanied by a sheep joke (there are more sheep than people, after all), it kept us laughing through even the wildest misadventures. 

Beaches, Bites, and Breathtaking Beauty

We took every opportunity to explore the North Island - and let me tell you, it's a postcard lover's dream. Some of our favourite spots?

Piha Beach, dramatic black sand, crashing surf, and Lion Rock watching over you like a moody guardian.

The Coromandel Peninsula, hidden coves, hot water beaches, and sunsets that leave you speechless.

Bay of Islands, calm waters, dolphins, and sailing that feels like pure therapy.

Rotorua, steaming geysers and bubbling mud pools with a scent that says "I'm powerful and natural and yes, maybe it  smells slightly rotten eggy!

Lake Taupo,  the size of Singapore, with water so blue it looks Photoshopped.

And through it all, the food is clean, local and fresh. Think farmers market tomatoes that taste like sunshine, lamb so tender it melts, and seafood that might have been swimming ten minutes ago. Eating in New Zealand felt like feeding the soul.

Why It Still Feels Like Home

New Zealand gave us more than just beauty and excitement. It gave us community, quiet moments, and laughter so loud it echoed off the cliffs. It was the place where life felt both simple and expansive. Where your daily walk might include a volcanic crater, and your weekend plans involved a vineyard, a hike, and an accidental encounter with a seal. Even now, years later, when people ask where we'd go back to in a heartbeat, my husband and I look at each other and say, "New Zealand. No question."

And if you're ever lucky enough to find yourself there, just remember: pack for all four seasons, say "sweet as" often, and never turn down a barbie with the mates.

Until next time, keep Living Life Large, one beautiful corner of the world at a time. 

Kimberley and Tim X