I've eventually made it back home after five months of work and now have roughly three months to fill before I get another contract. I would really like to go on a bit of a kayaking adventure in this time to New Zealand but don't know what or how to go about planning it.

CAN ANYONE HELP?
I want to be gone in three weeks so what should I look into?
Has anyone got any contacts in New Zealand for paddling partners or people I can stay with for relatively little cost?
What's the best area to base myself around?
Who should I fly with?
What should I take?
How's the best way to get around?

Obviously I have a limited budget as my five months of work wasn't amazingly well paid, but I can sacrifice luxuries so I can get by.

Cheers in advance,
Iain

Mate there are a few ways to go about it. By all accounts the Kayak school in Murchison are extremly helpful and could help you out with a host of information as could paddlerzone in Christchurch.

The Christchurch canoe club also run trips most weekends and seem pretty happy to let the odd person tag along. You'd have to contact them directly to ask though.

There are plenty of hostels dotted along the coast that don't cost much to stay in or you could try and get one of those camper vans from somewhere like wicked camper rentals. They cost approx $50 a day so you would end up with transport and a bed and no one really gives a toss where you park up and sleep.

Check out facebook and look in the groups section at Paddlers International 'cos I set up a group for just this reason. People list on there whether they would be prepared to go paddling with you or even put you up for the night and then you contact them. Unfortunatly its only just started up so there is hardly anyone on there and no one in NZ yet but now that you know the problems faced by lonesome paddlers trying to go paddling in other countries you should list a profile and help out someone else.

Hope this helps.