Kia Ora
I’m Rachael from Tauranga (miss ya Rotorua) and I write the content for thecuriouskiwi blog. Photos of letterboxes on the blog inspired the book ‘It’s In The Post! Awesome Letterboxes From Around New Zealand’ which was published by Bateman Books in October 2020.
The blog is an extension of our website thecuriouskiwi – A Curious New Zealand Travel Guide.
The blog is 99% Kiwi in content with a sprinkle of other Pacific Islands. I write about curious attractions / experiences as well as more general New Zealand travel information. Some of my favourite things to see and write about are wildlife, unusual cafes, street art and classic cars.
Aside from publishing a book, the coolest thing that has happened because of the blog was that I got to see, and was taken for a ride in a Duzgo. Duzgos were built on the West Coast of NZ in the 1970’s and they’re little beauties. (Big thanks to Linda and Kevin for making my day).
We fund all our travels and I choose what to include in the blog. Thank you to those people who have taken the time to email me and leave comments, they’re always much appreciated.
Thanks for stopping by and if you have any questions or comments feel free to get in touch.
Happy travels
Rachael
PS. July 2020: I’ve been on a blogging hiatus for a while now, but I have been through all of the posts on the blog and deleted those that are no longer current (or were a bit naff, there were a few of those). All the links should work, I haven’t updated prices but they generally only go one way.
PPS. If you’d like to use our content or photos please ask, a few years ago I found content I’d written and photos I’d taken copied and pasted into another New Zealand travel website. It was an awful feeling, I’ve spent a lot of time working on the website and blog and I ask that my work be respected.
Hi Rachel
Thanks for your comments, it was really nice to find your message in my email box today, and your timing is spot on ……
I went to Open Studios in 2015 and I was blown away by what I saw, my Mum and I had such a great day zooming around as many studios as we could in one day. I couldn’t make it last year, but I’m coming down for the second weekend this year and it would neat if we could meet up, I’ll send you an email next week. Thanks for dropping by, Rachael
Hi Rachael
Love the letterboxes on your site. We’d like to use a few of these images in a company profile montage page – letterboxes, real estate, seem to go together.
Two questions… are we allowed to use a few of these images? And… are you the person to authorize this?
It would be amazing to do so and credit thecuriouskiwi.
Many thanks
Paul
can you permit us to use few of these images
Hi Paul
I’m sure we can sort something out, I’ll email you.
Thanks, Rachael
Hi Rachael I just found your website while researching Wanganui. Just LOVE what you have done and what you are showing of NZ. Was also amazed at the amount of info you include (looking at the Wanganui river road blog). Was brilliant. Thanks so much for sharing your stories. 🙂
Hi Jenni
Thank you for your comments. I love travelling around and putting the blog together and it’s neat to get encouraging comments like yours every now and again.
One of the things I like most about Wanganui is that it still has street side shops rather than a big box mall and there are some lovely old buildings in good repair on the main shopping street – Victoria Avenue. I also think the River Road is one of the best short drives we’ve ever done, enjoy your time in the river city.
I found your post about the river road the night before we drove it for the first time — was just terrific. Really enjoyed being able to spot sights along the way and know what I was seeing. And I was SO glad to find a cup of tea and some great home baking at Matawihi — so needed that after walking the Atene Skyline. You did a beautiful job of writing (and illustrating) that journey. Nice to discover (by reading below) that you are from here. Feel free to file my email address away and get in touch when you are visiting again in the future (pop down for Artists Open Studios! It’s such a brilliant event).
Hi Rachel
Thanks for your comments, it was really nice to find your message in my email box today, and your timing is spot on ……
I went to Open Studios in 2015 and I was blown away by what I saw, my Mum and I had such a great day zooming around as many studios as we could in one day. I couldn’t make it last year, but I’m coming down for the second weekend this year and it would neat if we could meet up, I’ll send you an email next week. Thanks for dropping by, Rachael
Hi Rachael
Just wanted to say, love your blog. I have just recently blogging about, my mission to get the word out about the real Wanganui. I could not see any blogs about Wanganui so I thought I would email you and ask you to check out my website and if you would like to come and check it out I am more then happy to show you around 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjzwKUDahmU
http://www.wanganui-nz.co.nz
Regards
Sharla
the website has been up and running since 18th August. (website is http://www.wanganui-nz.co.nz)
Like a typical housewife, the REAL Wanganui has been in the shadows for far too long.
So began my mission, how can one person make a difference? By being bloody determined!
Not trained in web design, I made it my mission to teach myself how to build a website by watching videos on YouTube. I then spent every waking moment (outside of holding down a full-time job) researching my city, sourcing new, exciting and fun content that my viewers would enjoy.
Then comes the hard stuff! How do I get the word out about my new site? On a modest income and self-funding this non-profit project, how can I get my site out there and people talking about it?
For starters I did a little teaser video, set up a FB page called New Zealand’s best kept secret and set a launch date. Pre launch teaser video
I also paid for a bit of FB advertising to promote the post ($100NZD) and asked as many friends and family to share it on their pages.
I then contacted the local paper and managed to convince them to do a little story on my new website.
Hi Sharla
Wow! Good on you – so much energy, enthusiasm, and hard work. Awesome how you’ve got the video playing before movies at Embassy Theatre. Coincidentally I have a blog post about driving the Whanganui River Road coming up in the next couple of weeks. I was born in Wanganui and growing up in the country it was often where we went ‘to town’ in the school holidays. I’ve watched as the city has developed over the years and it’s somewhere I’m always happy to visit. I have a half finished blog post about the city so I will be back sometime this year to finish it off and would appreciate your local knowledge. So I will be in touch – keep up the great work, I have been inspired by how you’re promoting your site.Best wishes, Rachael
PS Driving the Whanganui River Road for anyone interested.
Hi Rachael
Arrrr I only saw this now, hope I am not to late. I would love to share my knowledge with you and have some choice spots (some not well known) I can show you so keep in touch.
Sharla
fabulous website 🙂 I live and work in Takaka and instantly recognised the three buildings at the top of the homepage as I visit them regularly and know their owners! Great pics of great places 🙂
Thank you 🙂 Takaka is one of my favourite places to visit, a wonderful place to call home.