1883 days ago

NZ's friendliest regions and towns

Lorna Thornber Reporter from Stuff Travel

Hi there,
Canterbury has been named the fifth most welcoming region in the world in the Booking.com Traveller Review Awards, while Oamaru, Hokitika and Invercargill have been named the most welcoming towns in NZ. They were followed by Cambridge, Picton, Lake Tekapo, Kerikeri, Palmerston North, Paihia and Twizel.
We'd be really keen to hear your thoughts on this based on your own travels around New Zealand. Do you think Canterbury is NZ's most welcoming region? And are these our most welcoming towns?
Where in NZ have you been made to feel particularly welcome on your travels?
As usual, please put 'NFP' in your comment if you don't want it to be included in an article. Cheers.

More messages from your neighbours
2 hours ago

Alan and Hazel Kerr share Senior New Zealander of the Year Award 2026

Ernest Rutherford Retirement Village

Dr Alan and Hazel Kerr describe themselves as ‘just ordinary old Kiwis’, despite being named as the 2026 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealanders of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau.

The amazing couple prompted a standing ovation at a star-studded Auckland event which recognised their tireless efforts, with Alan travelling to and from Gaza and the West Bank 40 times to help children over 20 years, and Hazel travelling 20 times.

Click read more to find out more.

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7 days ago

Poll: The Fuel Squeeze ... How are you navigating rising costs? ✈️

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Between the news about the Nelson Port and Airport facing "huge ramifications" from global unrest and the creeping prices at the local petrol station, it feels like getting from A to B (or flying out of the region) is becoming a major math problem.

With fuel prices and airfares set to stay high for the foreseeable future, we want to know how the Nelson community is pivoting. Are you changing your habits, or just grit-and-bearing it?

We want to know: How are you adjusting your travel and commute to beat the price hikes?

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The Fuel Squeeze ... How are you navigating rising costs? ✈️
  • 28.6% Dusting off the bike
    28.6% Complete
  • 0% Working from home
    0% Complete
  • 71.4% Nope, same as always
    71.4% Complete
  • 0% Other. (Tell us your secret strategy in the comments!)
    0% Complete
7 votes
8 days ago

A Journey of Growth and Care

Ernest Rutherford Retirement Village

From student nurse to Village Manager, Ruben Kumar’s journey at Ryman reflects years of dedication, growth, and a passion for caring for others.

Today, as Village Manager, Ruben leads the community with the experience gained from progressing through multiple roles across the organisation.

Click read more to learn more about Ruben's journey at Ryman.

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