MY LITTLE CORNER
Fashion favourites’ secret spots
KAREN WALKER
My daughter and I love to snowboard and Coronet Peak’s the only spot for us. The fantastic snow, the easy mountain drive and the convenience of Arrowtown all make it unbeatable, but best of all are the views of the Wakatipu Basin and beyond – they’re extraordinary. To sit for a moment after coming off the chair, or halfway down a run, to take it all in never fails to take my breath away.
JULIETTE HOGAN
Woolleys Bay in Northland has been a constant backdrop to my family’s history. My mum has been holidaying here since she was 14 years old and it’s been such a joy to bring my little family here and see my daughter Myra delight in all this magical place has to offer.
JULIET SOUTER, MARLE
Whenever we get the opportunity, my family and
I head over to the untouched little beaches of Matakana Island, just off Mount Maunganui. It’s our favourite place to escape the craziness that living in a beach town brings over summer. The overhanging pine trees provide the perfect canopy to relax under while we watch the kids explore this beautiful natural playground, which has all sorts of sea life, and nooks and huts made out of fallen trees.
MARGI ROBERTSON, NOM*D
I love Akaroa on Banks Peninsula; I like to be there for a few days to totally enjoy the walks, views and food. Otago-ites might hang me out to dry, but there’s an isolated holiday feel about the place – and that touch of France.
MATT NASH
My favourite part of Northland is Bland Bay in Whangaruru, where I have a little bach. It sits on a narrow causeway between a harbour and the beach, so you have the sea on both sides. There are no street lights and the closest shop, for ice-blocks and chips, is half an hours’ drive away.
TRELISE COOPER
I Love Leigh, an hour north of Auckland – the coastline is quintessential New Zealand. We own a cottage on the sea with expansive views across the Hauraki Gulf to Great Barrier, Little Barrier and Coromandel.
It’s surrounded by native bush with a backing chorus of birdsong. I adore watching the whales and dolphins gliding by from my dining room, and from my deck I can see stingrays exploring the rocks below against a boom of waves crashing and cicadas buzzing.
It’s all about tranquillity, nature, the sea, sunshine, coastal cliff walks, swimming, ice creams from Leigh General Store, carefree alfresco dining with friends and family – and delicious New Zealand wines – our pretty cottage garden and gatherings of loved ones from international destinations. It’s the very best place on Earth for me.
KATE SYLVESTER
Having just walked the Kepler track with my family, I’m madly in love with Fiordland. This track is especially sentimental because it was the last holiday we had with our schoolboys before they graduated. •