LOL! Thanks mate, yeah, I do when I have enough time to enjoy it but cars are my thing. Use to surf weekly, like up to 4 times a week sometimes, that's heaps, all after school or work too. But, cars and booze slowed me down and it evetually phased out. Now my ocean sports are fishing, land based only, much more of a challenge.
It looks nice but can be cold down here. I think that's what I and many tourists enjoy is the variety. The South Island is rugged, raw, whale watching, skiing, snow covered mountains for most of the year. The untouched part of NZ where the north island is the sunny place with only one spot of snow right in the middle, blue beaches, golden sand, rock beaches, good waves, bugger all people etc.
As you'll see below, it's got something for everyone I guess.
I was going to say sorry for the hijack but this thread is pretty much a neutral.