Kiwiland #13 We made it

Lace up your boots, pack the snacks and join Dad & the boys for a wander into tramping in New Zealand! From bush tracks and uphill grumbles to birdsong and a well-earned pie, we’re chatting about what makes a great Kiwi walk.In this episode:• Walking adventures in the Hūnua Ranges and a Five Peaks challenge.• When does an ordinary walk become a tramp?• Backpack essentials: shoes, food, water, sun protection, layers and navigation—with plenty of snack debate.• New Zealand’s forests, beaches and volcanic landscapes, including a chat about Tongariro.• A mountain-walking memory from North Macedonia, changing weather and dreams of longer adventures.• A dad joke with a truly terrible track record!A few useful clarifications: Hūnua Ranges is a regional park, not a national park. New Zealand’s 13 national parks include three in the North Island, nine in the South Island and Rakiura on Stewart Island/Rakiura. Tongariro is an active volcanic complex—not extinct—and the Alpine Crossing is a challenging alpine route. Our quieter overseas walks were personal experiences; Europe certainly has birds too!This is family banter, not a complete safety guide. Before heading out, check current track alerts and weather, choose a trip that suits everyone, pack warm waterproof layers and extra food and water, share your plans and carry suitable emergency communications. Respect local iwi guidance, stay on marked tracks and take your rubbish home.What’s your favourite New Zealand walk—and your go-to snack afterwards? Tell us in the Spotify comments! Follow or subscribe to Kiwiland Podcast for more fun, family-friendly explorations of Aotearoa, and share this episode with your adventure buddy.#KiwilandPodcast #TrampingNZ #NewZealand #FamilyAdventures #Aotearoa

Which New Zealand native tree is the best? In this fun episode of the Kiwiland Podcast, Dad and the boys explore the amazing native trees of Aotearoa!We talk about giants like the mighty kauri, the beautiful pōhutukawa (New Zealand’s Christmas tree), tough tōtara, graceful rimu, and the unique nikau palm. The kids pick their favourites, Dad shares cool facts, and we chat about why these trees are so special to Kiwiana and the forests of New Zealand.Perfect for families, nature lovers, and anyone curious about New Zealand’s incredible plant life.Kiwiland Podcast: Dad and the Kiwiland Kids discovering the heart of Aotearoa. New episodes every few weeks on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. Subscribe for more fun Kiwi stories!#NativeTreesNZ #NewZealandTrees #Kauri #Pohutukawa #Kiwiana #Aotearoa #NZNature #KiwilandPodcast

What is Matariki and why do Kiwis celebrate it every year? In this special episode of the Kiwiland Podcast, Dad and the boys explore the magic of Matariki — the Māori New Year!They talk about the Matariki star cluster (the Pleiades), how it marks the start of a new year in Aotearoa, and the beautiful traditions of remembering those who have passed, celebrating with family feasts, storytelling, and looking forward to the future.The family discusses the meaning behind the nine stars, why Matariki is growing across New Zealand, and fun ways families can celebrate — from lanterns and fireworks to planting and making Māori bread!Perfect for Kiwi families, parents teaching kids about Māori culture, and anyone curious about New Zealand traditions.Kiwiland Podcast: Dad and the Kiwiland Kids discovering the heart of Aotearoa. New episodes every few weeks on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. Subscribe for more fun Kiwi stories!#Matariki #MāoriNewYear #Kiwiana #NewZealand #Aotearoa #MatarikiNZ #KiwilandPodcast

Meet the world’s chunkiest, mossiest, and most adorable parrot — the Kakapo! This big green fluffball can’t fly, smells like honey, and booms like a subwoofer when it’s looking for love. In this fun episode of the Kiwiland Podcast, Dad and the boys dive into everything kakapo — from their hilarious night-time adventures and super-strong legs to why they’re one of the rarest birds on Earth.Perfect for kids, bird lovers, and anyone who enjoys fun New Zealand wildlife stories.Kiwiland Podcast: Dad and the Kiwiland Kids exploring Aotearoa’s coolest creatures. New episodes every few weeks on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. Subscribe for more quirky Kiwi adventures! #Kakapo #NZBirds #Kiwiana #NewZealandWildlife #FlightlessParrot #KakapoNZ #KiwilandPodcast

Why do we wear poppies, wake up before dawn, and eat ANZAC biscuits every April 25? In this special episode of the Kiwiland Podcast, Dad and the two boys sit down to talk about ANZAC Day in New Zealand – one of our most important and solemn public holidays.The Kiwiland crew explores the powerful story of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) and their landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. They explain what happened in this famous World War I campaign, why it’s so important to New Zealand, and how the day has grown to honour all Kiwis who have served in wars and conflicts.Listen in as they chat about:The moving Dawn Services and why we get up so earlyThe meaning of the red poppyANZAC biscuits and why they’re specialHow kids and families can respectfully remember our heroesWhat “Lest We Forget” really meansThis episode is perfect for Kiwi families, parents explaining ANZAC Day to their children, and anyone wanting to understand the heart of this special day in Aotearoa.Kiwiland Podcast: Honest, fun, and heartfelt chats about New Zealand with Dad and the Kiwiland Kids. New episodes every few weeks on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. Subscribe so you never miss an adventure! #ANZACDay #LestWeForget #NewZealandHistory #Kiwiana #ANZAC #Gallipoli #KiwilandPodcast

Why do Kiwis barbecue on the beach for Christmas while the rest of the world dreams of snow? And what's this about a brand-new public holiday celebrating stars and storytelling? In this special duo episode of the Kiwiland Podcast, just Stirling and Dad chat about Aotearoa's awesome mix of public holidays – from classic ones like Waitangi Day (treaty vibes and summer picnics) to quirky Kiwi twists like Christmas in summer (jandals, pavlova, and pohutukawa trees blooming red)!Perfect for New Zealand families, Kiwiana fans, expat Kiwis missing home, or anyone planning an NZ holiday and curious about our unique celebrations. Laugh along as father and son explore what makes Kiwi holidays so special!Kiwiland Podcast: Fun family chats uncovering New Zealand's magic – hosted by the Kiwiland Kids and Dad. New episodes every few weeks on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. Subscribe for more Aotearoa quirks! #NewZealandHolidays #Kiwiana #Matariki #WaitangiDay #ChristmasInSummer #NZPublicHolidays #ANZACDay #KiwilandPodcast

Ever dreamed of a dinosaur that didn't go extinct and decided to hang out in New Zealand, munching bugs and staring at the sun with its extra eyeball? Say hello to the tuatara – Aotearoa's quirkiest reptile, the last of its ancient kind, and basically a "living fossil" that's been chilling since the time of the dinosaurs! In this wild episode of the Kiwiland Podcast, the Kiwiland Kids and their Dad geek out over these spiky, slow-moving superstars: Why do they have a mysterious third eye on top of their heads (spoiler: it's for sensing light, not selfies!)? How do they grow for 30 years straight and live up to 100? And what's the deal with their "spiny back" that makes them look like mini-dragons from a Kiwi fairy tale?From hidden island hideouts (they're only found in NZ!) to Māori legends where they're sacred guardians, we uncover hilarious facts, rate their "cool factor" , and imagine tuataras crashing a family BBQ. Perfect for New Zealand animal lovers, Kiwiana explorers, or anyone obsessed with weird reptiles and fun NZ wildlife!Kiwiland Podcast: Family adventures uncovering Aotearoa's magic – hosted by the Kiwiland Kids and Dad. New episodes every few weeks on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. Subscribe for more quirky tales! #TuataraNZ #LivingFossil #NewZealandReptiles #Kiwiana #NZWildlife #ThirdEyeTuatara #QuirkyAnimals #KiwilandPodcast

Kia ora from Aotearoa! Join our fun family podcast, Kiwiland, where Kiwi kids and their dad dive into the yummy world of traditional New Zealand food (kai) and share stories to help you learn all about New Zealand's unique culture, history, and flavors. Perfect for families, travelers, and anyone curious about authentic Kiwi cuisine—from beachside bites to sweet treats that capture our island spirit!In this episode of our New Zealand food podcast, we chat about iconic Kiwi kai like crispy fish and chips, gooey mince and cheese pies, chewy Anzac biscuits, colorful lolly cake, crunchy hokey pokey ice cream, and creamy flat white coffee. Discover fun facts, easy recipes, and why these classics make New Zealand so special—plus tips on where to try them on your next adventure Down Under! Hosted by the Kiwiland kids and their Dad, we make learning about New Zealand easy and exciting for kids and grown-ups alike. New episodes every few weeks on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube—tune in to taste Aotearoa!What's your favorite Kiwi food? Share in the comments, like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell for more adventures in New Zealand cuisine! 🇳🇿#NewZealandFood #KiwiKai #NewZealandPodcast #TraditionalKiwiFood #LearnAboutNewZealand #FamilyPodcast #FishAndChips #HokeyPokeyIceCream #AnzacBiscuits #KiwiCulture

The Kids and Dad have been talking on the mic for ONE WHOLE YEAR! 🤩 We've had laughs, silly voices, and even some grown-up wisdom (shh, don't tell anyone 🤫). From classic New Zealand Deserts to world famous Kiwi birds, we've chatted about it all! 📚👀Thanks to our amazing listeners (that's YOU!) for joining us on this wild ride! 🎉 We're so excited to see what the next year brings! 🎊 Stay tuned for more fun, more fun and MORE FUN! 🎙️#Kiwiland #OneYearAnniversary #PodcastForKids #FamilyFriendly #AudioFun"

Ever wondered about those massive, head-scratching giant statues dotting New Zealand's towns? From the 7.5m Ohakune carrot (Carrot Capital, growing two-thirds of the North Island’s carrots) to the giant L&P bottle in Paeroa (home of the "World Famous in New Zealand" soft drink since 1907), the Kiwiland Kids and their Dad explore Aotearoa’s whacky roadside attractions! Join us for laughs as we dive into iconic Kiwiana sculptures like the Gore brown trout (Brown Trout Fishing Capital), Taihape’s gumboot (Gumboot Capital with its famous throwing festival), and Morrinsville’s mega cow, Millie, part of a herd of 65 uniquely painted cow statues.Discover why these oversized novelty statues—from Cromwell’s 8m stone fruit (apple, pear, apricot, nectarine) to Te Puke’s kiwifruit (Kiwifruit Capital)—became a quirky trend in the 1960s and 1980s, sparking small-town pride and luring road-trippers. We share fun facts, like how the Ohakune carrot started as an ANZ bank ad prop, and rate our favorites in this family-friendly adventure. Perfect for New Zealand travel enthusiasts, Kiwiana lovers, or anyone curious about funny town statues!Kiwiland Podcast: Join the Kiwiland Kids and Dad for epic New Zealand stories every few weeks on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. Subscribe now for more Aotearoa road trip tales and quirky discoveries! #GiantStatuesNZ #Kiwiana #NewZealandTravel #QuirkyStatues #BigThingsNZ #NZRoadTrip #OversizedSculptures #KiwilandPodcast