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Letterboxing in New Zealand

Do you like walking in the woods, solving clues, using a compass and map, finding buried treasure, rubber-stamping, and having fun? Then letterboxing may be for you... Below you will find clues for the majority of letterboxes in New Zealand. A potted history NZ Clues Mystery North Island South Island Stewart Island Virtual Letterboxing Letterboxing Near NZ (Australia, Pacific Islands) Searching AtlasQuest NZ Trip Planner (search for boxes near the State Highways) Further clues and loads more information about Letterboxing can be found at: Atlas Quest Letterboxing North America (www.letterboxing.org)

History

For many years the only letterboxes in New Zealand were a few placed by tourists. In 2003, we returned to New Zealand (after living and boxing in Connecticut) and slowly began populating the country with boxes. Thanks to the creative efforts of many, many kind letterboxing friends from the USA, we brought home lots of stamps and boxes to place. For many months we seemed to be the only boxers in NZ, except for some visiting Canadian boxers.

Then in August 2004, Time magazine published an article on letterboxing and suddenly interest perked up. In anticipation, we formed a Yahoo discussion group and people started joining up to find out more about boxing. There are now at least four other teams of kiwi boxers who are finding and placing boxes.

• Hide & Seek for Grown-ups: the TIME magazine article on letterboxing.
• New Zealand Letterboxing Yahoo group.
• Or subscribe here

New Zealand Letterbox Clues

Here is the definitive letterbox list for New Zealand. Yes there are some others too, but obtaining the clues is a little bit more tricky :-)

Mystery Locations

These mystery boxes are in unknown regions in NZ. Mystery boxes with stated regions are included in the regional listings below.

• Dancing Dolphin by Team Psychokiwi (part of the world-wide Pandamonium! Mystery Series).
• Hansel & Gretel's Dilemma by Team Psychokiwi, with RTRW (somewhere in the lower North Island).
• Simspons Tribute by 55 Steps (somewhere in the South Island).

North Island

Northland

• Cape Reinga by The Playmakers.
• Camping at Tauranga Bay by Rebecca & Derek.
• Due Nth by Rebecca & Derek.
• Kiwi Crossing by RideTheMoose.
• The Hunter by RideTheMoose.
• The Skullymooners by Adios Muchachos.

Auckland

• Sailboat by Letterbox Ninja.
• Stick People by Rebecca & Derek.
• Pohutukawa Paradise by Rebecca & Derek.
• Seashells by the Seashore by Rebecca & Derek.
• Suburban Surprise by Navigull (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid).
• Piscatorial Peregrination by Navigull (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid with a twist! - Update 20/12/07: NO LONGER A LETTERBOX).
• Don't Cuddle a 'Kawa by Navigull (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid).
• Tipani by the Lamb Family.
• Waiheke Wine by the Lamb Family.
• Bush Waterfall (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid).
• Riverhead Forest (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid).
• M'am, Upsize My Three Streams Cache Please?! (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid).
• Stumped by a Kauri by Azzaro.

Coromandel

• Goldmine Express by Rebecca & Derek.
• Maori Flag by Wisconsin Hiker.
• Maori Ta Moko by Wisconsin Hiker.
• Hot Water Beach by 55 Steps.

Bay of Plenty

• The Happy Humpback by Team Psychokiwi.
• Kiwi by Rebecca & Derek.
• Coastal Settler by the Coastal Settlers.
• MAUOAZ by MAUOAZ.
• New Zealand Postcard by Roots and Shoots Redmond.
• Paua by The Motorbike Dudes.
• The tui by Blue Tui.

Waikato

• Waitomo Caves by The Playmakers
• The Eert Neerg Letterbox by Team Psychokiwi, with RTRW.
• Bulls-Eye by Leader of the Pack, with Team Psychokiwi.
• Golfer's Delight by Rebecca & Derek.

Taupo & Central Plateau

• "Eight km Laurel" Quest by Team Psychokiwi, with Steve, Heidi, & Madras.
• Taupo Botanical Gardens by Team Psychokiwi.
• Kiwi Crossing by Rigelpuppy.
• Hi-Yo Silver by Esmeralda and Chaucey & Michael.
• Moab Greetings by Kennamtn & Rivergeek and Team Psychokiwi.
• Go Nar! by Kennamtn & Rivergeek and Team Psychokiwi.
• Crater Lake by Team Tired Feet and Team Psychokiwi
• The Tongariro ABC Series by jp nature (in progress).
  • A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
• Blyth Track Whack by jp nature.
• Ruatiti Rambles by jp nature.
• Taupo en Route by jp nature.
• Tangiwai Memorial by jp nature.

Hawke's Bay

• Baby Elephant Walk by Team Psychokiwi.

Manawatu

• A Moo-ving Experience by Team Psychokiwi, with Leader of the Pack (confirmed missing).

Wellington

• Kaitoke Kayak by Team Psychokiwi, with AM & PM.
• Sunrise - Sunset by Team Psychokiwi, with RTRW.
• Eye Spy by Team Psychokiwi, with AM & PM and RTRW.
• Boogie Bear by Team Psychokiwi.
• A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush by Team Psychokiwi.
• Under the Leafy Trees by Chaucey & Michael.
• The Little Choo-Choo That Could by Chaucey & Michael.
• Murray's Last Minute Winner by Chaucey & Michael.
• Karori Capers by Chaucey & Michael.
• Belmont Regional Park by Chaucey & Michael.
• Isengard Gardens by Chaucey & Michael.
• Percy's Scenic Reserve by Chaucey & Michael.
• Anyone for Tennis? by Chaucey & Michael.
• Elementary My Dear Watson by Krazy Kea.
• The Park Next to the Bucket by mcbosas.
• Redwood Bush Reserve by mcbosas.
• Maori Toa by Wisconsin Hiker.
• Kangaroo Crossing by RideTheMoose.
• The Jolly Postman (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid)
• Brownie's Letterbox Cache (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid)
• Our Backyard (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid)
• Riverside Hideaway by brucewwnz

South Island

Nelson/Marlborough

• Queen Charlotte Track by The Playmakers.
• Marlborough Wine Trail by Team Psychokiwi.
• Red Oak Acorns, by Team Psychokiwi, with Butterfly.
• Trout Angler by Mimulus.
• Kayaking Paradise by luna.
• Riwaka Resurgence by BigglesNZ.
• Stamp or Log Your Find (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid).

West Coast

• Hokitika by the Playmakers.
• Pukeko by Mimulus.
• Maori Tiki by Wisconsin Hiker.
• A Feather in his Cap by 55 Steps.
• Koru by 55 Steps.
• Pancake Breakfast by 55 Steps.
• Second Canoe Ride by 55 Steps.
• Lakeside Letterbox by Moneydork.
• Runanga's Ruins by Moneydork.
• Harry Ell's Rest Houses - the pack horse by 55 Steps.

Canterbury

Sadly many of the Christchurch-based letterboxes were lost in the Sept 2010 and Feb 2011 earthquakes and that the areas in which they were hidden may no longer be safe. Please use caution if you're not familiar with the area. Contact the box maintainers for more information.

• Little Shag by Paisley Orca.
• What a Fluke! by Team Psychokiwi.
• In Search of the Taniwha by Chuck & Molly, with Team Psychokiwi.
• Native YEP by Nomad PNW.
• Fall'n Glentui Bush by Rediguana (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid).
• Ralphie by y_nought and Epiphany.
• Roy Rodgers is Riding Tonight by Esmeralda and Epiphany.
• It's a Long Way to Waitomo by Mimulus.
• Time to Travel by Kiwi Nomad (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid) [RETIRED].
• Maori Wheku by Wisconsin Hiker.
• Kuddly Koala (part of the Pandamonium series) by Team Psychokiwi.
• Cave Stream by 55 Steps.
• The Lamppost in the Woods by 55 Steps.
• The Grim Reaper by 55 Steps.
• Ghoti by 55 Steps.
• Flying Fox by 55 Steps.
• The King of Beasts by 55 Steps.
• Harry Ell's Rest Houses by 55 Steps.
• Fiat Slug by 55 Steps.
• Ernle Clark by 55 Steps.
• Penguin Watch by 55 Steps.
• Lucky Horseshoe by 55 Steps.
• Little Fossil by 55 Steps.
• Pegasus by 55 Steps.
• Playgrounds of Christchurch: Roctopus by 55 Steps.
• Playgrounds of Christchurch: Cat's Cradle by 55 Steps.
• Playgrounds of Christchurch: Merry Go Round by 55 Steps.
• Playgrounds of Christchurch: Climbing Wall by 55 Steps
• Kate Sheppard by 55 Steps.
• A Basket of Fruit by 55 Steps.
• Iusticia by 55 Steps.
• The Old Draught Horse by Lizzy Bear of Ridders76
• Simmons Spartan by 55 Steps.
• A Stroll in the Garden by 55 Steps.
• Hold My Hand by 55 Steps.
• Rough Seas by 55 Steps.
• Ship at Sea by 55 Steps.
• Donkey Track by 55 Steps.
• Jellicle Cat by 55 Steps.
• Bird Hide by E.
• Dark Shadows by 55 Steps.
• I want to ride my bicycle by 55 Steps.
• Travis Wetlands by 55 Steps.
• R is for Riccarton Bush by E.
• Pedro by 55 Steps.
• The Wizard of Christchurch by 55 Steps.
• Graduation by E.
• Lost Cat by 55 Steps. (In memory of pets lost in the Feb 22 2011 earthquake).
• South Head by BaldEd (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid)
• Bird Hunter by 55 Steps.
• The River Banker by 55 Steps.
• Eagle's Perch by 55 Steps.
• Name that Author by 55 Steps.
• All the pretty little horses by 55 Steps.
• Melospiza Melodia by 55 Steps.
• Theodore Chipmunk by 55 Steps.
• Where heaven meets earth by 55 Steps.
• On the Wings of Love by catroars.
• An Ape or an Angel by 55 Steps.
• A walk along the shore by 55 Steps.
• Sister Cities Gardens by 55 Steps.
• The Rose by E.
• Noah's Ark by 55 Steps.

Otago

• Historic Clyde by The Playmakers.
• Bledisloe Rush by Rediguana (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid - retired).
• Rushing Water Hidden Box by Rediguana (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid).
• Dionysus' Visit by the Wandering B s.
• Ontario by the Great Danes.
• Both Charm and History by jp nature.
• Crab and Kiwi by Girlguides.
• Big Chicken by 55 Steps.
• Sailing on the Lake by 55 Steps.
• Long Gully Bluffs by phiki614.
• The Letterbox (Geo-cache/Letterbox hybrid).

Southland

• Mortal Enemies or Survival of the Stroppiest by Mimulus.

Stewart Island

• Stewart Island Robin by Team Krazy Kea, with Team Psychokiwi.
• Stewart Island Kiwi by Team Krazy Kea, with Team Psychokiwi.
• Kakapo by Team Psychokiwi.
• Birds of a Feather by Team Psychokiwi.

Virtual Letterboxing

• Check out Sin-of-Beer's Virtual NZ letterboxing website.

Letterboxing Near New Zealand

I get emails asking if I know about letterboxing in nearby countries like Australia. So for a while I did list all the ones I knew about here, but with letterboxing taking off in Australia, it has been too big a job to keep up with them. Atlas Quest has pretty much the definitive list of boxes in Australia, in a nice searchable format. The only boxes listed here now are the ones not on AQ. I'll continue to maintain listings of other South Pacific boxes for now.

Australia

(See AtlasQuest for many, many more)

Victoria

• Strip Box (Geelong) by Akto.

Cook Islands

Rarotonga

• Beyond the Reef (Avana) by Rebecca & Derek.

Antarctica

• Chilly Willie! by Josef.

Other Useful Odds 'n Sods

Searching AtlasQuest

You can use this form to search Atlas Quest for letterboxes anywhere in the world. For boxes in New Zealand, just enter a nearby town or city. You can also include "NIS" in the State box for the North Island, "SIS" for the South Island, "STI" for Stewart Island, and "CHI" for the Chatham Islands.

New Zealand Trip Planner

Atlas Quest has a trip planner for New Zealand State Highways. Find all the normal (not mystery) boxes within 5 to 30 km of each highway (broken down by legs if desired).

Friday, 20 May 2011 03:25 PM

Team Psychokiwi P57F502X138
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