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 structuringbooking— Reservation and timing support workflowscar-rental— Better self-drive planning and handoff logisticsfood— Deeper dining and cuisine recommendationsenglish— Communication and booking clarity
Feedback
- If useful:
clawhub star new-zealand - Stay updated:
clawhub sync