We traveled to New Zealand this winter to see what adventure looks like on the opposite side of the planet, making our way from the culture-rich North Island to the sparsely populated, adventure-rich South Island. To kick off Lands Afar, our in-depth New Zealand Travel Guide, we bring you some of the best gear we found along the way. Follow the adventure here.
This quirky photography app from New Zealand’s iconic specialty roaster Coffee Supreme layers two snapshots together, allowing users to duplicate subject matters within a single frame. Available for iPhones and iPads, the app includes an alignment grid to help with picture-taking and syncs directly with Instagram for streamlined creativity and sharing. Free Triumph & Disaster No Dice Sunscreen
Summer may be over in New Zealand, but it’s just kicking off above the equator. The non-greasy No Dice Sunscreen from one of New Zealand’s most respected apothecary brands, Triumph & Disaster, is 87 percent natural and free of denatured alcohol, a harmful ingredient often found in cosmetics. The sunscreen utilizes zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, green tea and jojoba esters to fight and filter harmful UV rays at SPF 50. ~$42 Icebreaker Compass Long Sleeve Henley
Woven from 81 percent Merino wool sourced from New Zealand, Icebreaker’s spring waffle henley is odor-resistant, comfortable and quick drying. In addition to a zippered pocket on one sleeve, each cuff features thumb holes for a secure fit that helps keep hands warm without gloves. $129 Martino Gamper Arnold Circus Stool
First designed in 2006 by renowned Italian designer Martino Gamper, the Auckland-based brand Everyday Needs is reproducing the Arnold Circus Stool in a new, larger mold. Available in an array of colors, each seat is constructed from 100 percent recyclable polyethylene plastic. ~$177 Matt Nash Jack Bag
The Jack Bag from Auckland-based artisan Matt Nash takes its shape from a vintage construction bag. Available in four colorways, each bag is handmade from 14-ounce canvas, features high-quality leather straps and is lined with Japanese poplin interior pockets. ~$296 Everyday Needs Pure Beeswax Weck Candle
Made in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, in collaboration with Everyday Needs, these candles have a strong, sweet smell reminiscent of honey when burned. Made of highly concentrated pure beeswax sourced locally, each is then poured into a Weck canning jar and stemmed with an organic cotton wick. ~$18 Lands Afar, a New Zealand Travel Guide
We drank good strong coffee in New Zealand, ate the first oysters of the season, rode our bikes from the mountains to the coast, swam naked in very cold water (more than once) and caught trout in the rivers of the high country. Welcome to Lands Afar. Follow the adventure