Aotearoa Adventures: The New Zealand Travel Podcast

To mark four years of Aotearoa Adventures, the tables turn and Abigail is interviewed. She shares her story, from growing up in India and moving to New Zealand at 18 to the 2020 South Island road trip in a 1990 rust box van that first opened her eyes to life on the road and made her world a little bigger. Abigail shares about struggling with depression, and rebuilding her identity. She talks about quitting her corporate job to build Feijoa Social, then the next two and a half years without a fixed address, moving between van life, overseas trips, house sits and kayak expeditions. She reflects on holding plans loosely, why a non-traditional life is possible at any stage of life, and the advice that made the Slow Paddle happen: put a date in the calendar and tell people.

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Aotearoa Adventures on Instagram: instagram.com/aotearoa_adventures_Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

To mark four years of Aotearoa Adventures, the tables turn and Abigail is interviewed. She shares her story, from growing up in India and moving to New Zealand at 18 to the 2020 South Island road trip in a 1990 rust box van that first opened her eyes to life on the road and made her world a little bigger. Abigail shares about struggling with depression, and rebuilding her identity. She talks about quitting her corporate job to build Feijoa Social, then the next two and a half years without a fixed address, moving between van life, overseas trips, house sits and kayak expeditions. She reflects on holding plans loosely, why a non-traditional life is possible at any stage of life, and the advice that made the Slow Paddle happen: put a date in the calendar and tell people.

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Aotearoa Adventures on Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/aotearoa_adventures_
⁠Follow Abigail on Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/abigailhannnah/

After four years and exactly 182 weekly episodes (plus a few bonuses) we are taking a pause.
Since 2022, every single Friyay without fail (minus Christmas and New Years), a new epiosde has landed in your feed. Adventures from the tops of mountains, remote coastlines, hidden trails, icy glaciers, and deep fiords. You have shown up and listened week after week - from your cars, your trails, your gyms, your desks - and that means the world.
We are stepping back to build something bigger, better, and more sustainable for the long run, because this show and this epic community deserve that.

While we are away, we would love your help shaping what comes next. Take two minutes to fill in our listener survey, tell us what you love, what you want more of, and what would make Aotearoa Adventures unmissable for you. Everyone who completes the survey goes in the draw to win a $150 Prezzy Card (Ts & Cs apply).
Fill in the survey here: https://forms.gle/qZs4WSDvvY9CSRRp7

And til we're back - keep bingeing past episodes, re-listen to your favourite stories, send me guest recommendations, leave a review and tell all your mates about the show.The stories are not done. The adventures are very much still happening. We will see you on the other side.

Until then, keep adventuring :)
Abigail

In the meantime, come hang out on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/
Or send me an email hello@abigailhannah.nz
(miss you already)

Host Abigail and husband Isaac are reflect on the last section of the Slow Paddle sea kayak expedition from Cape Reinga to Tauranga. They share a day-by-day breakdown and decision making leading up to the end of the journey, challenges encountered, favourite moments on the water and what's coming next.

Listen to Episode 162 and 178 for previous Slow Paddle episodes.

Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.
👉 DONATE: givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/slowpaddle

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/
Follow Isaac on Instagram: instagram.com/isaacjnaylor/
Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=JON334jG4QU

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nz
Follow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/
Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/
Get my NZ Map & Guide

Tyla grew up a gymnast, spending long hours inside - and found her freedom outdoors, especially underwater. Now based in Wellington, she shares how a childhood love of the ocean turned into a career as a scuba instructor, and why diving became her way to explore, teach, and slow things down. Tyla shares the technical side of diving, covering gear, qualifications, costs and options in New Zealand. She also breaks down fears like sharks, deep water and claustrophobia - and how knowledge, exposure and good training can help those fears. Alongside scuba, Tyla also loves riding motorbikes and reflects on how both underwater and on a bike, you have to be so in tune with your surroundings. Her advice is practical, calm, and grounded - especially for people curious about scuba or motorbikes, but unsure where to start.
 
 Abigail & Isaac are kayaking for 1,000km from Cape Reinga to Tauranga in Feb-Mar 2026 to raise $20,000 for mental health and the ocean. Join the community to follow our journey closely, donate or paddle with us.👉 slowpaddle.nz

Thank you so much for tuning in and coming along for the ride. If you love the show and enjoyed listening, please take the time to leave a review on Apple or Spotify. I would also love to connect with you, so send me a DM on Instagram, leave me a voice message and I can’t wait to see you next time. Until then, keep adventuring :)

Follow Tyla on Instagram: instagram.com/tyla_bow/instagram.com/tyla_bow_arts/

Read the Blog: www.abigailhannah.nzFollow Abigail on Instagram: instagram.com/abigailhannnah/Follow Abigail on TikTok: tiktok.com/@abigailhannnah/Get my NZ Map & Guide