New Zealand's North Island - Couverture souple

On his third research trip to the'mainland: Brett Atkinson explored Maori rock art, stayed in a historic cottage in the Gibbston Valley and negotiated a penny-farthing bicycle around 0amaru. Two weeks researching earthquake-damaged Christchurch left him even more impressed with the resilience and determination of the people of Canterbury. Brett has covered 10 countries for Lonely Planet and more than 40 countries as a freelance travel and food writer. Sarah Bennett & Lee Slater Raised at the top of the South, Sarah migrated to Weilington at 16 and has lived there ever sine, except for various travels and a stint in London working at Lonely Planet's UK office. During research. she strives to find fault. particularly in relation to baked goods and beer selection. Sarah is joined in this endless quest by her husband and co-writer. Lee. English by birth and now a naturalised New Zealander. Lee's f irst career as an engineer has seen him travel extensively around Europe. the Middle East, North Africa and the Caucasus. Sarah and Lee are co-authors of Let's Go Camping and The NewZealand Tramper's Handbook. They are also freelance feature writers for newspapers and magazines, including the Dominion Post and Wilderness. Peler Dragicevich After nearly a decade working for off-shore publishing companies. Peter's Ide has corne full circle. returning to West Auckland where he was raised. As managing editor of Auckland-based Express newspaper he spent much of the '90s writing about the local arts. club and bar scenes. Peter has worked on several of Lonely Planet's New Zealand guides and, alter dozens of Lonely Planet assignments, it remains his favounte gig. Charles Rawlings-Way English by birth, Australian by chance. Ali Blacks fan by choice : Charles' early understanding of Aotearoa was less than comprehensive (sheep. mountains. sheep on mountains...). He realised there was more to it when a wandering uncle returned with a faux-jade tiki in 1981. Mt Taranaki's snowy summit. Raglan's point breaks and Whanganui's raffish charm have enthralled. He's once again smitten with NZ's phantasmal landscapes. disarming locals and determination to sculpt its own political and indigenous destiny.