Hi Guys

I'm planning to take my wife and 2 young boys to NZ next year. Our plan is to hire a Landcruiser for a couple of weeks and tour both islands staying at B&B's and maybe the odd motel/resort. Just not sure when would be the most pleasant time of the year. We do want to see some snow but also I'd love to get the boys onto a few bunnies - might bring a .22 with us if possible.

What are your thoughts?

Cheers.

GG

Just stay at Muzza's place!

Have you got the double yet mate?

Hell - I thought there for a moment you wanted advice on playing cricket or rugby , cos you sure need it at present....

Do you need to work around school holidays or are your rugrats little rugrats? Snow is usually available from late autumn till early summer , the hotter the weather the further you have to walk to reach it for some reason .

I would suggest you leave your wabbit wifle at home , the hassles of bringing it will make the effort unworthwhile , and we kiwis dont like foreigners shooting things off the roadside any more than you aussies do...
Besides , if you stay here like Bakes has kindly offered I think I can find a rifle for each of you and a couple of spares as well .

Much as I hate em - give some thought to a campervan .And maybe bring a smallish tent as well for the kids ... But the transport thing is over to you entirely .

I dont mind if you park here for a few days , we often cater to third world visitors so a few more wont be a problem..... Do you know how to paint houses ?

Hi GG,
Your plan should work fine. Check out a few farmstays online, or check out: http://www.holidayhomes.co.nz/
If you ask in advance, you should find a farm with some bunnies, but numbers are usually lower in winter. There were plenty in the McKenzie country earlier this year.
If you are coming in and out the same city, you could probably buy a .22 on a "buyback", check out the NZ Police website for details.
A landcruiser won't be neccesary for many places, unless you really want to go offroad. The skifield roads are mostly good, and you shouldn't need to spend the extra for a 4wd. Campervans are great, but bloody cold in winter, and won't be welcome on many farms!
Good luck, PM me if you want any more info, I used to work as a Concierge in Christchurch.
Cheers,
Tom

Bringing a gun into NZ is really no hassle at all, as long as you have a gun or hunting licence in the country you're coming from.
You can fill paperwork out in advance and fax through to customs/police or do it on arrival. Total cost is NZD$25.00
This also gives you a temporary gun permit so that you can legitimately use a gun/hunt while you're in NZ also allows you to buy a gun/ammo while in NZ.
You do not have to take the guns you bring in, out again i.e. you can sell your gun in NZ.

Rabbits, hares and possums are everywhere, you'll have no problem finding landowners who will let you shoot a few.
Call by if you're down this way. Methven-Mount Hutt, South Island, New Zealand.
You're always welcome to borrow a .22 here.

Re: Best time.
You can see snow anytime of the year.
A flight into the Glaciers is the way to go in the summer. (Fox Glacier or Frans Josef.)
If you're adventurous, stay overnight in an Alpine Hut. (Fly in by chopper is inexpensive.) You might even see a Thar or Chamois while you do so.
Late summer has the best weather e.g. January-March.

Guys

Thanks for all this great info and for your offers. Will investigate the farmstays as they sound promising and will stay in touch about when we decide to travel etc.

Cheers.

GG

The farmstay/b&b places are great for meeting the locals . If you stay in motels or at camping grounds you meet other travellers....often the best scenery is off the main road and most tourists miss it cos they wont leave the main highway .

Pretty much everything else has been covered above .

Have a great trip!