OPINION: After four long years away, I had wondered when the ‘Only in New Zealand’ wake-up call would scream an undeniable: ‘Yes, you’re home’. The freebie Cookie Time on the Air New Zealand flight from Wellington almost did it, but the Lewis Road Creamery fad seemed to have come and gone without me. I suppose I should say ‘reunions with family and friends’, but really the gobsmacked god-it’s-good-to-be-back moment happened just 45 minutes from my hometown. If anything, our newfound appreciation for the New Zealand outdoors is just a cliche. Yes, the New Zealand tourism offering is now far more comprehensive and cosmopolitan than even the 100% Pure slogan of old, but our natural beauty cannot ever be trumped.

Source: Stuff April 28, 2022 17:19 UTC