Hitch Hiking in New Zealand

I completely believe hitchhiking is looked down upon in the states because of the media. Yes, I know I am a big burly guy. For me physical safety is rarely an issue. I would never want any of you to do anything you are not comfortable with. And for my female readers a strong guy with you will never hurt- that being said:

If you ever find yourself in New Zealand needing to get from point A to point B, without a car, guy or gal, rain or shine- hitchhike.

Many people who come here are impressed by how cheap some bus companies are. Some people say that it's to dangerous to hitch. Some people think its far more reliable and timely to take a bus. A lot of cities have trains, and taxis aren't all that expensive.

Let me tell you why I hitchhike:

People. Experiences.

Lets say you hop on a bus. Put in your head phones or read your book. Wait. Get to your hotel. Check in. Go up. Go to bed. Congrats you met the check in person and made eye contact awkwardly on a bus with some rando for a split second.

My first week or so in New Zealand, I will admit, I got a couple busses. I now COMPLETELY regret that. Why? Because these people put southern hospitality to shame. (And ill never get that money back) Lets say driving straight through a route would take 3 hours. Hitch hiking it takes 5-6. Why? I only wait like 20-30 minutes TOPS at any stop. So why does it take longer to hitch?

The first man to ever pick me up hitching it was named Patric. He drove me 30 minutes to the small town of Whangamata. I was about to hop out the car- when he asked me if I knew what grass bowling was. I did not. He is a greens keeper. And took me to his bowling club- taught me the game- and let me play for a few minutes. He then gave me a ride around the town showing me all the sights before dropping me off on the far side of town. This sort of thing keeps happening!!

An elderly couple showed me a giant open air gold mine in Waihi. You're not thinking giant enough- I promise.

I have made plans with relatives of people giving me rides to stay with who live on South Island.

A group of three girls bought me dinner and joked along with me for ages!

And then there was Wayne. Wayne took me my final 1 1/2 hour stretch to New Plymouth. I will never forget the first two questions he asked me: "do you smoke?" (Rolls me a cigarette) and "do you drink?" (Hands me a chilled can of rum and coke). And then we hit the road. Once we got close to New Plymouth, I was asking him to drop me at a camp site. Wayne asks if I'd like to stay at his place. I say- really?!? He says sure! (No, before that point I had no real idea where I would be staying that night) So Wayne takes me to his place. A clean house in a convenient location in New Plymouth. Tv. Radio. Hot shower. Spare bed. Food. And then Wayne leaves. Oh yeah, he had told me before that he would be staying at his woman's place about 20 minutes away. I had a house to myself. Wayne- picked up a hitchhiker. Judged his character within an hour and a half of talking and joking around a good deal. And then gave him his house. Would you do the same? Would I? Depends on the hitchhiker I guess.

I know one thing for sure, just about anything in this world can be dangerous if done improperly. I've stuck to major roads, in the day time.

I cannot speak in any way to the whole world, but i can for NZ. If you ever find yourself here, don't spend a dime on transport. Walk or hitch. Maybe from the airport to your first stop get a bus. Then get your head about you. Maybe make a little sign that says "I'd give you a ride" or "not as scary as I look." Stretch out your thumb. And go for it.