Around the World in 80 Days: George Jerjian in New Zealand

Caxton Card | New Zealand – Landscapes, Lessons, and 200 Dolphins

George Jerjian continued his Caxton-powered journey with a hop across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand. Having already explored South Africa and Australia, George was eager to experience the cinematic landscapes, cultural heritage, and unexpected wisdom of Aotearoa – all while using his Caxton card to keep spending easy and secure throughout.

“I couldn’t miss New Zealand,” George said. “After seeing The Lord of the Rings, I had to see it for myself – who knows if I’d ever be that close again?” And so, from Melbourne, he boarded a three-hour flight to Auckland.

New Zealand felt different to him – “It’s much greener. It reminded me of Scotland in many ways.” Though Auckland didn’t impress at first (it rained the whole time), George made the most of his visit by exploring the city’s cultural core: the Auckland Museum.

There, he learned about the deep ties between New Zealand, Australia and Britain – especially in wartime. “They gave more sons per capita to the British Empire than anyone. That bond is strong.” He also attended a traditional Māori performance. “At the beginning, the host said, ‘Please don’t clap. We don’t need validation in our culture.’ That floored me. It made me realise how much we do things just to be validated.”

From Auckland, George drove around the Coromandel Peninsula, pausing often to take in the views. “It’s so beautiful. I had to keep stopping to take photographs. I don’t know how cyclists do it without falling over – you can’t look away from the scenery.”

He stayed in Hahei in a converted Methodist chapel, complete with stained glass and a Michelin-quality restaurant. He also visited Hot Water Beach – a geothermal beach where you dig a hole in the sand and soak in hot spring water before the tide washes it clean again.

Then came the South Island: after flying to Wellington and catching the inter-island ferry to Picton, he picked up another car. “New Zealand doesn’t have a Japan-style train system. You have to drive,” he noted.

In Kaikōura, George swam with wild dolphins – “200 of them. It was exhilarating.” Then on to Queenstown, where he was struck by the sheer majesty of the mountains. “It’s the kind of awe that opens you up. When you’re thinking about the rest of your life, you want to be in a place like that.”

Top Destinations

• Auckland Museum – A deep dive into Māori culture and Anzac history.

• Coromandel Peninsula – Rolling hills, stunning coastlines, and photo-worthy views at every turn.

• Hahei – George stayed in a converted chapel with high-end dining and access to Cathedral Cove.

• Hot Water Beach – Dig a hot pool and relax as the tide resets nature’s spa each day.

• Kaikōura – The site of George’s unforgettable swim with dolphins.

• Queenstown – A place to reflect, surrounded by alpine peaks and stillness.

Top Tips

• Be prepared to self-drive: “It’s not like Japan. There’s no extensive train network. You need to rent a car.”

• Split your time carefully: George spent 4 days in the North Island and 10 in the South – “The real beauty is in the south.”

• Make the museum a priority: “The Māori performance and Anzac history left a deep impression.”

• Expect weather shifts: Rain in Auckland didn’t ruin the trip but did shape his impressions.

Top Recommendations

• Attend a Māori cultural performance: “The line ‘We don’t need validation’ really stuck with me.”

• Drive the Coromandel: “You’ll want to stop every two miles to take in the views.”

• Stay in small-town boutique accommodation: George’s stay in a converted chapel made for an unforgettable base.

• Swim with wild dolphins in Kaikōura: “Exhilarating. Magical. It was 200 of them!”

• Take the inter-island ferry: A three-hour scenic ride between North and South Islands – with your car.

Watch George's Take on New Zealand

Watch the replay and get all of George's recommendations first hand.

Why Use a Caxton Card in New Zealand?

Whether he was paying for boutique accommodation, museum tickets or café meals, George used his Caxton card throughout New Zealand without hassle. “No need to think about currency conversion,” he said. The card’s locked-in rates and budgeting controls helped him stay organised, even when switching between rental cars, internal flights and ferries.

Start Your Own Journey

Inspired by George’s travels? You can go deeper with his insights on purpose, retirement, and reinvention.

Read the book – The Odyssey of an Elder is George’s story of transformation, travel, and second chances.
Take the course – Learn how to unretire with meaning through George’s Dare Method.

And wherever you go, make sure you’ve got a Caxton card in your pocket – the better way to spend abroad.

Next: Japan – where George bows on bullet trains, hikes the Nakasendo Trail, and meets a descendant of a real samurai.