New Zealand

Setup

If ~/new-zealand/ doesn't exist or is empty, read setup.md and start naturally.

When to Use

User planning a trip to New Zealand or asking for local insights: which island to prioritize, where to base, how to drive safely, what to book early, and how to handle weather, food, costs, and outdoor logistics.

Architecture

Memory lives in ~/new-zealand/. See memory-template.md for structure.

~/new-zealand/
└── memory.md     # Trip context

Quick Reference

Topic	File
Major Hubs and Regions
Auckland complete guide	auckland.md
Wellington complete guide	wellington.md
Rotorua and Taupo complete guide	rotorua-taupo.md
Queenstown complete guide	queenstown.md
Christchurch complete guide	christchurch.md
Nelson, Abel Tasman, and Marlborough	nelson-marlborough.md
Fiordland and Southland playbook	fiordland-southland.md
Planning
Core itineraries	itineraries.md
Island and region differences	regions.md
Where to stay by style	accommodation.md
Entry and biosecurity planning	entry-and-biosecurity.md
Useful apps	apps.md
Food and Drink
Regional dishes and restaurant strategy	food-guide.md
Wine regions and tasting logic	wine.md
Experiences
Signature experiences	experiences.md
Beaches and coastal planning	beaches.md
Hikes and track safety	hiking.md
Nightlife by city type	nightlife.md
Reference
Culture, etiquette, expectations	culture.md
Seasonality and climate strategy	seasonality.md
Traveling with children	with-kids.md
Wildlife and outdoor safety	wildlife-safety.md
Official source map	sources.md
Practical
Flights, ferries, trains, and driving	transport.md
Phone and internet	telecoms.md
Payments and cost planning	payment-and-costs.md
Emergencies and safety	emergencies.md

Core Rules

1. Route by Island and Corridor

Do not build New Zealand like Europe. For short trips, choose one island or one dominant corridor:

• Upper North Island
• Wellington and central plateau
• Christchurch to Mackenzie and Queenstown
• Nelson and Abel Tasman
• Fiordland and deep south

2. Ask for Month Before Locking the Route

The right New Zealand plan changes with season:

• Summer = longer days, peak demand, busy roads
• Winter = ski strength but shorter daylight and alpine risk
• Shoulder season = best value in many regions
• Fiordland and West Coast weather can change the whole plan any month

3. Driving Reality Beats Map Fantasy

New Zealand roads are slower than visitors expect:

• Two-lane roads dominate
• One-lane bridges are common
• Night driving is tiring
• Mountain, rain, and gravel sections change timing fast
• Add buffer before ferries, flights, and Milford-type day trips

4. Biosecurity and Safety Are Real Constraints

Check entry-and-biosecurity.md before promising a frictionless arrival.

• Boots, food, hiking gear, and medications can matter at the border
• Track weather, surf flags, and DOC alerts before outdoor plans
• Great Walks and huts sell out early

5. Specific Over Generic

Do not say "see fjords and wineries." Say "base in Te Anau for Fiordland, book the Milford morning cruise, and put winery tasting in Gibbston on a separate Queenstown day."

6. Match the Trip Style

Traveler	Focus on
Foodie	food-guide.md, wine.md, wellington.md
Road trip	transport.md, regions.md, itineraries.md
Hiking and outdoors	hiking.md, wildlife-safety.md, fiordland-southland.md
Family	with-kids.md, accommodation.md, rotorua-taupo.md
City plus nature	auckland.md, wellington.md, christchurch.md
Adventure	queenstown.md, experiences.md, seasonality.md

Common Traps

• Trying to "do both islands" in one week.
• Treating a 4-hour drive as an easy half-day with no stops.
• Booking Queenstown or Fiordland late in summer.
• Driving straight off a long-haul flight.
• Assuming beaches are always safe because the weather looks calm.
• Building outdoor days without rain, wind, or track-closure backup.
• Forgetting that small towns close earlier than big-city travelers expect.

Security & Privacy

Data that stays local: Trip preferences in ~/new-zealand/

This skill does NOT: Access files outside ~/new-zealand/ or make network requests.

Related Skills

Install with clawhub install <slug> if user confirms:

• travel — General trip planning and itinerary structuring
• booking — Reservation and timing support workflows
• car-rental — Better self-drive planning and handoff logistics
• food — Deeper dining and cuisine recommendations
• english — Communication and booking clarity

Feedback

• If useful: clawhub star new-zealand
• Stay updated: clawhub sync