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Articles & Features

An Interview with... New Zealand Editor Reg Dilloway

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New Zealand interview

Name: Reg Dilloway
Occupation: Outdoor Pursuits Instructor and gapyear.com New Zealand Editor

Hi Reg! You work as an outdoors pursuits instructor - is New Zealand a good country in which to experience ‘the great outdoors’?

New Zealand has such a diverse landscape with scope for every conceivable type of outdoor adventure sports. To name a few; caving, diving, snow and water skiing, alpine and rock climbing, white and black water rafting, bungy jumping, canoeing (sea and river) One third of New Zealand’s land mass has been made into conservation reserve parks and we also have large areas of our marine area protected.

What’s your favourite ‘outdoors’ location in New Zealand?

The West Coast of the South Island and in particular Fiordland National park. Much of this area has not been explored by man.

What’s the best way for a backpacker (who’s never been to the country before) to explore New Zealand’s wildernesses / natural wonders?

Naturally I would have to answer; on foot, hiking through all the wilderness areas. However if staying for more than six months, I recommend buying a cheap camper van which allows you to travel off the typical tourist trail and also allows flexibility in your travel planning. For shorter periods the Backpacker buses 'Magic' or 'Kiwi Experience' offer good deals.

Click here >> for more info on the Magic Travellers Network
Click here >> for more info on the Kiwi Experience

Are there other - more unusual - ways to explore them?

Helicopters can be hired to gain access to remote places and do not work out not too expensive if shared with others. New Zealand has many remote coastal bays which can be explored using a rented sea kayak.

Click here >> for more info on helicopter trips in New Zealand

What unusual animals might people see in NZ?

New Zealand has only two native land mammals, which are two species of native bat. Due to the lack of natural predators, bird life abounds in New Zealand and many of these birds are ground foragers. The kiwi - our National Bird - is nocturnal and finds underground insects by feeling vibrations using its long beak. The Kea (alpine parrot) is an inquisitive bird, known to rip rubber tires and windscreen from cars. It is a very intelligent bird which actually creates toys for amusement. The Tui is a bird capable of mimicking any sound it hears, including a human cough, dogs barking, cell phones and can recite or sing the melody of complete songs.

What’s your favourite town or city in NZ?

To stop myself being hung, drawn and quartered by my local mates I would have to say my home town of Wanganui, one of the first areas of New Zealand to be inhabited by humans and gateway to Whanganui River National Park.

What do young Kiwis get up to in the evenings? Is there a good live music scene? What about clubs, films etc?
Young Kiwis during the evening, forage in the forest for insects! The young Kiwi Human species enjoy evening social sports, badminton, hockey, basketball, touch rugby and of course, every city has the usual night clubs and theatres. Local pubs usually have a live band playing 3 nights of the week.

We think of NZ as one of the best places in the world to take part in adventure sports. Do local people enjoy things like bungy jumping and white-water rafting, or is it just tourists who are that crazy?

My humble nature and modesty (choke) prevents me from saying that New Zealand is the Number one adventure country! Many locals do participate in adventures sports and all schools have an adventure based programme for their students.

Do you take part in any adventure sports? What’s your favourite?

You ask an outdoor pursuits instructor if he participates in adventure sports! Duh. To satisfy your curiosity, yes I do and my favourites are rock climbing, canoeing and caving.

Click here >> for more info on adventure sports in New Zealand

A tricky question: what are New Zealanders really like? Is it possible to generalise about their attitude to life, their sense of humour etc?

New Zealanders have a ‘laid back’ attitude to life. We are generally pleased to give time to help others though sometimes at a slow pace. Don’t hurry, why worry?

In general, what do local kiwis think about foreign backpackers?

Foreign backpackers are always welcome and we look forward to meeting them. A word of advice, adopt our culture and attitudes while here.

What proportion of people in New Zealand are Maoris? What are relations like between New Zealand’s different ethnic groups?

One third of New Zealand residents are of Maori decent. Generally the different ethnic groups fit well into our society considering that most New Zealanders have arrived here over the last 150 years from other countries.

Finally, tell us a secret... is there something great in New Zealand (eg a particular area) which local people know about and tourists don’t?

There are secret places that should remain secret, but I will give you a clue to the location of one special place. Deep in the southern area of Fiordland National Park is a valley that just may still be inhabited by the Ancient 12 foot high Moa bird or even dinosaurs.

I have been to the entrance to this valley which is filled with thick rainforest and trees covered with tangles of hanging moss. When animals such as wild deer, pigs and goats reach the entrance to this valley they always veer away as though afraid to enter. Local hunters have told me that unusual tracks of enormous proportions have been discovered. Three people have been known to enter this valley and have not been seen again.

Further info