TRAVEL EDITOR

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my rather tumultuous three years as Travel Editor, it’s that I should avoid making predictions. In February 2020, I was convinced Covid wouldn’t adversely affect New Zealand; later in the year I thought it probably would be over and done with in six months; early 2021 and I was sure our borders would be open by the end of the year at the very latest.

Thank goodness 2022 has seen us move on so far from where we were this time last year, and as we approach 2023, we have the freedom to move more or less where we want to again. But I’m still hesitant about making any big calls about where we’ll all be travelling to . . . so for this week’s Hot List special issue, I’ve called on the experts who have pulled together their picks for the best holiday destinations for Kiwi travellers next year, as well as the trends they’re seeing across the industry (see p6 to p10). It makes for interesting — and inspiring — reading.

I’m now dreaming about all the places I’d like to go next year, with Japan, Egypt, the Greek Islands and New Zealand’s Alps to Ocean trail all high on my list.

I’d love to know where you’re planning on visiting in 2023 — email me at