friend of ours has recently come back from two weeks cruising new zealand. so thought i would put a note for anyone thinkin' of the warmer climes during the coming winter. he, wife and brother in law and wife chartered bareboat a moorings 38' in opua in the bay of islands, north island. south island scenery best that can be found anywhere. - particuarly mount cook and milford sound excepting the bay of islands in the north island. weather in north island a little warmer. winds apparently pretty constant most of the time with superb cruising of 10-15 knots. included a beautiful reach of sme 150 miles non-stop! enough other sailboats of about same size not to feel too isolated but certainly no overcrowding which seems to be coming a problem in the b.v.i. for those who want to be sure anchor lines are not crossing, etc.!! excellent beaches and coves most with some sort of marine facility even if not endowed with high pressure sowers, batteries of washing machines, etc!! has anyone else ben to new zealand or can contribute to an archive of experiece and knowledge? also, airfres there are pretty good. and people straight and friendly. ted.