Our priority when we arrived in Auckland was to find a van and we've accomplished our mission. We found Kim in the Backpackers Car Market, she's a Toyota Townace in a rather unflattering shade of bronze. However she's looking beautiful now with the addition of a folding bed and very pretty purple curtains! We've left the city and are en route to the Bay of Islands, hopefully we will get some kayaking in soon before we meet up with my (Sharon's) mum.