NZ: Arrival in Tauranga

I arrived in beautiful New Zealand on January 22 for a semester exchange program through the University of Hawaii. I will be studying at Victoria University of Wellington on the North Island for about four months and am planning to return home around mid-July. At the moment, I am staying with some wonderful family friends in a city called Tauranga for a few weeks. I will join my parents later in February for a trip around the North Island before starting school in early March. 

Tauranga is a beautiful city of around 120,000 people about a three-hour drive from Auckland. It sits on the Bay of Plenty; a stretch of sunny beaches and lush farmland that swoops down from Coromandel and extends eastward. The city itself rolls across green hills above sandy beaches and has much to offer from a nice shopping district and beaches perfect for surfing and swimming to waterfall hikes and a variety of community events. It’s a relaxed, welcoming place that perfectly melds the feelings of going on a vacation and coming home.

The weather has been perfect since I arrived, and I think it generally is a warm place with mild winters. The area is known for it’s fertile soils, hence the name Bay of Plenty. The hills are covered in sheep, cattle and various crops including kiwi fruit, avocados and grapes. Many New Zealanders and people from all over the world spend their vacation in this coastal town and it is close to many amazing places including the geothermal village in Rotorua, Hobbiton in Matamata and the stunning Lake Taupo.

Catching up with friends and taking time to enjoy the sun have been the only events on my calendar. It’s a nice calming time before continuing with my semester here in New Zealand, which will lead into a hectic senior year starting in August. The family I am staying with are from Germany, but have lived here for over 15 years now. I had met them almost 4 years ago when I was in Tauranga with a group from my church on a mission trip. I would never have thought I would have been able to see them much after that trip but spending time with them has been amazing and I am so thankful for their hospitality.