Hamilton is known for its beautiful gardens:
Oldtimer museum, Grease Lightning!
Last-minute shopping for a hut-to-hut hike on Mount Taranaki in two days. Bought a gas burner with a cookware set, and purification tablets (the huts are basic, with only rainwater, no drinking water). The weather isn't going to be great, so I still got a poncho and rain pants, which were incredibly expensive. I'd already picked up the sleeping bag/tent/mat in Auckland, at Kmart and through Facebook, which was incredibly cheap. Just adjusting the backpack, eating, and off to New Plymouth tomorrow.
A nice weight on the back. Is the route steep?
Success
The first day was quite a climb, yes, and the second day was quite muddy. Quite strenuous on the back. Sometimes a bit steep, sometimes less so.