4 Months in New Zealand: A Brief Journal
Photos by Allison on Film. Somewhere in Dunedin.
Over the past few years, I have reflected at length upon my first time leaving North America in 2019. I had chosen to put my life on pause for a few months during my third year of University to “see the world”; (that is if you consider Birmingham and the United Kingdom more broadly to be a major departure from North American society…)
In the six years since then, my fond memories of my time there have been discussed ad nauseam, and I have faced my fair share of mocking from friends and family who poignantly ask: “Oh wow, did you go on exchange? I had no idea!”
I suppose that sometimes it’s hard to break away from stereotypes.
Kodak Gold 200. Pentax ME Super. Near Nelson, NZ.
In the time since then, I have been fortunate enough to explore the majority of the Canadian provinces (not you Manitoba), visit California (twice!), see Ireland once more with fresh eyes, and visit Denmark for the very first time. I consider myself very lucky to have seen all of these amazing places, and simultaneously I try not to give myself too hard of a time for not traveling more.
When Allison and I had decided in July last year to try our hand at a working holiday in New Zealand, we had initially planned to leave in the fall of 2025. However, after spending a few weeks brooding in my apartment following the conclusion of my first full semester of teaching, I began to feel immensely restless. We quickly re-assessed, and decided to quit our jobs in January to head to New Zealand for the start of February. This was certainly a difficult decision, but I maintain that it was a necessary one prompted by numerous key factors.
Chief among these reasons were the events of 2020 to 2022; events which hardly need in-depth description. Despite being given a well-meaning hard time from my peers for my consistent reflection on my time abroad in 2019, its impact on my conscience was exacerbated by the sudden inability to leave the country in 2020.
COVID provided me with an ever-increasing need for travel and exploration that has been one of my biggest motivators over the past few years. Although I have completed three University degrees over the course of these last couple years, their completion has felt more like a means to an end rather than a definite career path. It was important for me to have the education and work experience behind me before I decided to start making some rather rash decisions with my life.
My usual spot in our Wanaka home. Kodak Ultramax.
Aside from the unquenchable thirst for travel, part of the decision to leave was also fueled by general dissatisfaction with my life’s trajectory. In my late teens, I had essentially set-up my University education in such a way that would help me to find a well-paying, secure job in either the education or government sectors. I believed that settling down early in my life, having kids, and working until I retired was what would bring me happiness. Each day, I remain grateful that I have not chosen that path.
To be clear, it is not that I think there is anything wrong with these choices- I know that they will come eventually, and perhaps it may be nearer than I can predict; it’s hard to say. Despite the external pressures however, I feel that there is so much more to do.
Much of the pressure to conform to that lifestyle over the past few years has undoubtedly been internal, although I have often credited external factors with blame for this mounting pressure to “grow up” that I have felt. Observing all of these parasocial lives on social media has certainly had an impact on me, with what seems like weekly posts about engagements, pregnancy announcements, and first-time home purchases.
While this used to make me feel as though I was “behind” in my life, I have never felt further ahead. Rather than feeling stuck as I did last year, I can clearly see the opportunities that are in front of me.
The Summit of Mt. Taranaki. Only ocean behind me. 2,518m above sea level.
New Zealand
My time in New Zealand has been one of profound growth and exploration, however, I did not feel that way when I reflected on my experiences even one month ago.
Allison and I had spent nearly a month exploring the country on the road from February to March, and had seen some truly amazing sights. It felt much like a packed vacation where we crammed as many locations and sights into a short amount of time- something that we have become experts at over the past few years. While there is merit to this style of traveling, it can also be quite exhausting, as you never truly get to know a place. So when we arrived in Wanaka for an indefinite amount of time, we were treated to a much different experience.
Arriving near the end of summer in Wanaka, we constantly awoke to see the main streets of the town lined for nearly a kilometre with campervans and coach busses full of tourists. It was fascinating to see such a small town overrun with visitors from sunrise to sunset each, and every day. Dozens of restaurants and small shops are packed into what is essentially the equivalent of a city block in most places back home, and most caffeine enthusiasts will find some of the world’s best coffee at every corner.
Despite the beauty of the town and the opportunity for exploration right at our front door, most of our time in Wanaka was spent working. While I did my best to fill my free time with some bike rides, Leafs games on at 11am, and even a single climb of the infamous Roy’s Peak, it felt as though our time working for what was a meagre wage sapped all of our energy to take advantage of the amazing activities in the area. Of course, bills have to be paid somehow- but I think that we learned how vital it is to try and maintain a healthy balance of both when traveling.
Our last morning in Wanaka. Thanks to Dom for the photo. Kodak Gold 200.
Part of this too is the fault of becoming too comfortable. Being able to settle in one place where you have your own room for an extended period of time allows for the easy escape of simply retiring to your solitude rather than having to travel to the next place and set up once more. I think that despite the exhaustion, this is one of the parts of traveling that I most enjoy.
I was fortunate however to have been able to walk the Milford Track; a 4 day, 3 night, self-supported tramping trek through one of the most stunning locations in New Zealand. The Track is supposedly 52.3 Kilometres in totality, however my AllTrails read roughly 63km at the end after taking a few detours and sidequests (including visiting Sutherland Falls). This was definitely the highlight of the trip for me; I had been looking forward to this walk for nearly a year, as I had watched hiking Youtuber Kraig Adams tackle the track early last year. It is genuinely one of the most stunning places that I have had the privilege of visiting, and I would love to do it again.
Part of what made this trek so rewarding is that I had injured my leg descending Roy’s Peak during my first weekend in Wanaka. Far from a treacherous descent, I lost my footing and landed awkwardly on my leg almost halfway down one of the many switchbacks. Thinking it wasn’t that big of a deal, I allowed adrenaline to kick in, and forced myself to make it down the hill despite excruciating pain in my knee and ankle.
For the better part of a month, my knee refused to heal. It probably didn’t help that I refused to rest it, and work necessitated that I was on my feet for roughly 20 hours per week. So when the time to take on the Milford Track came (a very lucky last-minute booking), I took my chances despite not being able to put my full weight on my leg. Real smart call.
Ready to take on Milford with a busted knee, 35 lbs on my back, and a forecast of rain for 4 days. Exciting stuff. (Credit again to Allison- Kodak Gold 200).
In combination with my completion of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, summiting Mt. Taranaki and Roy’s Peak, and my completion of the Milford Track under less than ideal circumstances, I have come away with the confidence to take on challenges that will continue to push me further and further. For many, these hiking routes are simply a walk in the park- but for me, they were akin to a gateway drug into the world of hiking, and have provided me with the confidence to take on some truly insane tasks in the future. But that’s for another time.
The last few weeks of our trip were spent on tour with a band called the Powder Chutes. I had messaged the band early in March about possibly taking some photos of their shows, and threw out the possibility of following them on their first-ever country-wide tour in support of their upcoming release of their debut album. The guys accepted my offer enthusiastically, and what followed was over a month of a genuinely life-changing tour.
These kids allowed us into their musical and personal lives immediately, and treated us like family from the very start. Not only are they immensely talented musicians (possibly some of the greatest musicians I have ever seen live)- but they are genuinely amazing people. They treat every opportunity to play music with grace and humility, and they are able to maintain a youthfulness that will take their music very far. Look out for the Powder Chutes- I promise you that they will do great things.
The last show of the North Island tour with the gang.
At the end of it all, our time in New Zealand exceeded just over four months. To be frank, it felt as though it was only a few weeks. We had originally planned to stay much longer, but responsibilities at home are ultimately calling us back.
I have mixed emotions about heading home. Now the second time being away from the place I grew up for an extended amount of time, I feel a distinct lack of attachment (and general apathy) to Waterloo, and to Ontario more generally. There is no denying that it is a safe and comfortable place to live, with plenty of opportunities available (should I choose to pursue them). However, if I have learned anything over these past few months especially, it is that I feel most at home in places that offer a challenge.
I love my friends and family, and returning home to see everyone is certainly the most rewarding part. Being away, (even for a short time), seems to get more difficult as everyone gets older, and it feels as though I am missing out on major milestones and severely slacking on maintaining relationships with old friends. Despite this, I have a hard time reconciling the idea that a permanent future can be found in a place with more history than it has potential. No matter what new cafes are started, what new jobs make themselves available, or what new friendships blossom, a future there will always find me within walking distance of the hospital I was born in, the schools I grew to dislike, and the friendships and relationships of the past that have long since fizzled out.
At this point, I feel as though I am grandstanding slightly and being overly philosophical, but the sentiment remains. I may not be where I (or others) had expected me to be, but I realize now that happiness- not busyness- is what I should strive towards. The time goes by so much faster than I once believed, and I realize now that it is important to live it the way I want to- regardless of expectations.
I might change my tune (as I often do)- once I arrive home. Yet I continue to find it increasingly difficult to picture myself in the place I grew up in.
I loved New Zealand. There is so much more to be done however, and I know that more time spent here could only be positive. There are more mountains to climb, more seas to be surfed, and maybe more friends to be made. The possibilities are endless- who knows what could come next?
