The morning is spent discovering Auckland. Explore the harbor area, perhaps take in a WETA workshop tour and learn how Orcs are born (well, okay…made) and/or a visit to the Sky Tower - your choice.  A short ferry ride, taking in the harbor views, is next on the agenda as we head to Devonport  for lunch and a wander. After lunch, our bus takes us to Loopine Wool Company, to meet American expat owner Alanna Penk who will delight us with her Kiwi experience of all things woolly New Zealand, including the possum blends. Lani has a kit all ready for us to sink our needle-teeth into. After her presentation, we all head out to dinner together in the Parnell neighborhood before returning to our hotel in downtown Auckland.

Ar emme're au-! Initiates. of course. immediately recognize the Elvish for “And we’re off!” This morning we head to Matamata, the home of Hobbiton, for a tour and Hobbit lunch fare - so dust off your Elvish, Entish or best Hobbit parlance as we enter an entirely different dimension from our yarny experience. From there we continue our explorations by heading down to Rotorua for a presentation on the Maori pounamu (jade) traditions.

In the morning we head to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, where the volcanic underbelly of the island is in full view. We walk through some of the geothermal park and hopefully catch the Lady Knox Geyser in full spout. We then head out for a long drive to New Plymouth on the west coast of the island, to be greeted by local artist Viv Davy. Viv will be accompanied by fiber artists to welcome us and introduce us to the following day’s workshops as well as joining us for dinner.

We start by heading back on the bus to Viv’s studio and gallery for an introduction to dying with native plants. We also each get to participate, on a rotation throughout the day, in three workshops: Muka Spinning (Muka is NZ Flax, which is actually in the lily family); Possum spinning on spindle; and, Hareheke (also NZ Flax) weaving. All our meals are catered at Viv’s and we head back in the evening after a farewell pizza dinner to our hotel.

Today, we head out for all things possum - a tour of the Possum Factory and an opportunity to browse the shop. (Nipple warmers anyone? Really. It’s a thing). After which we head to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. This is another city with a spectacular harbor view and many points of interest. Our first night there is a chance to relax on our own and plan our individual excursions for the next day.

We have the day to explore Wellington,starting with a group  visit to Te Papa Tongarewa (“Container of Treasures”), New Zealand's national museum. The rest of the day can be  at your own pace with a choice of activities. How about a WETA workshop tour to learn how Orcs are born (well, ok…made), or a stroll down the harbor? Just be back in time to head out to Zealandia for a night tour and a chance to spot some kiwi - the rare feathered variety!

We are off to the beautiful Middlehurst Sheep Station in the Awatere River Valley! We board our Cessna jets, fly over the Cook Strait that separates the North and South Islands and over the Marlborough Vineyards, and land directly (weather permitting) on the Station’s landing strip. We will be met by the Macdonald family who have prepared a spectacular couple of days for us. Sue Macdonald is a fleece specialist and micron guru. Willie tends the flock and the land. Both are stewards with a profound love, respect, and awe for their beautiful part of the world. After a presentation by Sue and a tour of the Wool Shed, how about a gin tasting from a local still? 

After a hearty farm breakfast, we’re off to watch the sheepdogs muster a mob of sheep into the yards. With us sheep deep in Merino wool by then, Sue will share her approach for the chosen breeding and genetics at Middlehurst Station. The afternoon is devoted to “fleece to fabric” with the possibility of a friendly challenge being set! All that exertion will give us an appetite for a wine tasting followed by dinner. Hot tubs anyone? They are wood-fired and just a short walk from your rooms.

We take our leave of the Macdonald family. On the way from Middlehurst we visit the Cob Cottage at Molesworth Station to learn more about the shepherding history of the region. Then back to urban life in the city of Christchurch, where we head directly to Mona Vale Gardens just in time for High Tea and a wander around the beautiful gardens.

This Sunday morning we drive down the scenic West Coast to Akaroa where our first stop is the Giant’s House, home of the artist and horticulturist Josie Martin. We visit her remarkable gardens, followed by lunch in the house and hearing from Josie about her work. After our visit, we head into the small town of Akaroa and walk along the oceanfront, with perhaps a chance to nab Hokey Pokey - the uniquely New Zealand honeycomb crunch ice cream.

A fond farewell to Christchurch, as we head to Wild Earth Yarns. They are small batch carders and spinners from small fleece flocks, producing some lovely yarns. After a tour with owners Jacqui and Graham Mclaughlin we peruse the bespoke yarns in their store. Then head to Ashburton, home of Ashford spinning wheels. We have a presentation, lunch in the Ashford Café and have ample time to explore their sizable Aladdin’s Cave of a store … a treasure trove even if you’re not a spinner. Then we are off  to Oamaru, check in to our hotel, grab a bite to eat in town, before heading down to catch sight of the Blue Penguins as the whole colony pours back in from the ocean to roost for the night.

We start the day with a visit to McClean & Co Weavers owned by Rod and Sue McClean. Rod and Sue work from home and that is where we learn about their restored Hattersley looms on which they produce unique fabrics from locally produced New Zealand wool. The rest of the day is spent exploring quaint and quirky Oamaru: Crafted art gallery, the Textile Emporium and the Steampunk Museum HQ! 

We head down the coast for a beach walk this morning, and along Moeraki Boulders Beach to check out the large spherical boulders exhumed by coastal erosion. We can grab a bite to eat in their cafe before heading further south to Dunedin to the Royal Albatross Centre. This is the world’s only mainland Royal Albatross breeding colony. Given that we are there during the time when adults fly in to feed their chicks, we have a shot at getting a glimpse of the great birds in full flight. After our visit, we head to Larnach Castle built by merchant baron William Larnach for his wife Eliza in 1871 in Scottish style. We are given a tour and have a chance to visit the beautiful gardens before heading to our own private dinner in the Music Room.

We head out West to Manapouri to visit Jessie Haanen and her sweet herd of alpacas over at Kepler Mountain View Alpacas. We enjoy lunch and a presentation followed by a chance to visit her store. Then just a short drive to our hotel for the night in Te Anau (gateway to Fjordland National Park) on its beautiful lake of the same name. Time to stroll around the lake and relax for the remainder of the day.

We leave the Fjordlands and drive north to the old mining town of Clyde. Clyde is the home of Touch Yarns and we have time to wander around the town and have lunch at the Old Clyde Bank. After lunch, we visit Arrowtown to take in the autumn foliage and gad about town for a bit before heading into Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Our hotel is a short walk to town and the lakefront, or perhaps you would like a gondola ride followed by an adrenaline-spiking zipline ride? Your choice, just make sure you make it back for our farewell dinner at the Grille of Eichardt's Hotel on the lakefront.

After our farewells the night before, a final breakfast together. Then, toting well stocked cases of Kiwi stash, our trusty coach takes us to Queenstown Airport for flights home. Ka kite ano! We will see each other again!

Sydney Morrell is a knitter, spinner, crocheter, dyer, and felter. She loves to explore how different local cultures work with fiber.  At one time Sydney managed Quail Hill Farm including sheep for fiber and meat as well as pigs, goats, horses, donkeys, too many cats and dogs, plus various types of poultry. She took her sheep wool from shearing to dying, using her own dye plants, to spinning to knitted garments.  Sydney grew up in NYC and Switzerland and is fluent in French, Italian, and German. She worked for many years as a French teacher and mentor in Waldorf Schools. Before that she worked as a financier on Wall Street and she now uses those skills for strategic planning at Rowan Tree.