Take a stroll down the esplanade in Sumner with an ice cream in hand

A great beach for surfing, visiting the library and taking a stroll down the New Brighton Pier.

A great beach for the family. The sand is the perfect shade of yellow and unlike most beaches on this, the water is warm in the summer!

The skies are grey, the water is heaving and the cold winds are whipping around your ankles. This beach is ideal for recreating the beach scenes from The Piano.

A great swimming beach (for the summer months), this beach is also an idea swimming and surfing spot. And the best bit? Counting the number of sunbathing seals on the warm rocks.

Named after the first mayor of Gore, this establishment has a Heinekin bar styled with classy leather couches in front of a log fire so its inhabitants can drink in style while catching up with friends. With wine, ales and Heinekin on tap, there is no excuse to not experience his historical haven for locals.

This cocktail bar is the place to be as the sunsets on the carefree city of Nelson. With open mic nights, pub quizzes and live jazz music, you can sip and dance the night away to the smooth beats of Bar Berlin.

Found on Riccarton Road (the Hagley Park end) and tucked away off the main drag, this unexpected location adds to the rustic charm of the bar that has Moa beer on tap and moonshine on the cocktail list

This Greymouth carvery is a perfect opportunity to take a break and enjoy a pint and some pig.

A warm lounge bar where those wanting to get away from the city’s usual hangouts can seek refuge. Their tapas consist of platters of meats, breads and cheeses, and it is clear only the finest ingredients are used.

Moroccan themed with a sophisticated feel and al fresco seating, this popular Dunedin hangout is best visited in the early evening to make the most of the Octagon sun and enjoy their tasty international cuisine.

Located up the hill in the suburb of Mornington, this sunny spot’s tapas are top tasting. A classic locals spot, it is place one can always rely on. Serving platters of breads, and specials of the day often include different flavoured arancini (YUM!) are sure to impress.

One of the most intimate venues in Queenstown, this restaurant (which is the restaurant to the boutique hotel upstairs) has a thai-fusion tapas menu that is truly exquisite. Prawns, scallops, tofu, squid- this is all on the menu for you to taste and let your mouth go to absolute food heaven.

Close to Queenstown, but far enough away to not get lost in the tourist scene, La Rumbla specializes in Spanish and South American cuisine that will knock your socks off! Great value, great staff, and it is definitely recommended to make a booking. Try the arancini or the beef tapas, they melt in your mouth. Ariba!

Emerson’s beer is known as some of the top craft beer in the world, using both European and New Zealand grown hops in a cleverly craft-ed combination that makes it a winner not just in my book, but others too, based on the amount of awards won. Try a Pilsner on a hot day; the passionfruit and citrus flavours are standout.

Brewed in Dunedin’s award-winning restaurant Plato, these craft beers are brewed to match the fantastic food their restaurant offers. Head to Plato, have a on-site brewed pale-ale and listen to some live music in front of the fire- what more could you want?

The Pride of the South. A famous name thanks to James Speight and his brilliant mind. Not a brand to fall behind the times, Speights is now brewing a multitude of craft beers, ones which are on par, if not tastier, than their originals. The Summer Ale, is clean and refreshing, the perfect beverage for the hot months that lie ahead.

A friendly and unpretentious Queenstown bar that is popular with both locals and tourists. Atlas brews their boutique beer all year round, and has an extensive range of other craft beers from around the Otago region.

This brewery uses only 4 ingredients in their beers- and one of those is water. Their motto is “putting less in and getting more out”- try the Sister Gina; it has just come back because of popular demand and is after a few tweaks here and there it is better than ever.

This small and inconspicuous lodge uses fair trade organic coffee, and fair trade organic coffee only. A favourite place to stop on my way to Central Otago, this coffee does not disappoint.

Lively ambience and great food, this sunny and happy café is frequently getting praised as a perfect summer spot.

A fantastic seafood restaurant with great views of the bay. This historic building was built in 1874 and is also a hotel.

This pier-side restaurant is a perfect spot to soak in some sun. The view is quite spectacular too!

Established in 1981 initially as a spinning and weaving equipment supplier, demand for Hands grew to include craft supplies, handcraft classes and workshops.

Creations Unlimited holds every sort of knick-knack craft tool that you could ever think of. This haberdashery was made for craft lovers and satisfies their every need.

For everything quilt related then look no further than Kiwiquilts!

From candle making to card making to craft workshops, this shop caters to every particular craft desire that you could ever dream of. Situated in Buller, this shop always amazes me with the stock and quality that it provides to the lives of a creative craft maker.