Why New Zealand’s Nature Is the Ultimate Wellness Hack | #hacking | #cybersecurity | #infosec | #comptia | #pentest | #hacker

MY SKIN TINGLES from the cold as a thin layer of salt starts to dry on my arms. A rolling wave nips at my heels while I run out of the water in my best Baywatch impersonation. 

I’m alone on a deserted beach in New Zealand’s far north, one of the country’s many isolated pockets of Middle-Earth-esque paradise. As I sit on the warm sand, catching my breath, I remind myself how much the ocean calms my nerves, that I should spend more time by it, and how badly I need to do more cardio. 

Over the years, I’ve been to fancy-schmancy health retreats in Thailand and state-of-the-art wellness centers in the Maldives, but nothing feels quite as grounding as spending time in nature—plus, it’s free! 

As I hike back up the hill to Rosewood Kauri Cliffs, huffing and puffing all the way, I’m feeling energized, present and surprisingly Zen. I feel like I’ve just checked out of one of those thousand-dollar-per-night wellness retreats—all courtesy of New Zealand’s wild and pristine nature. 

The global wellness boom is only gaining momentum, with the wellness travel market reaching USD 894 billion in 2024, and new health “hacks” and trends popping up anywhere you care to look. But don’t fall for the TikTok hype and pay premium prices for a week of biohacking, Ayurvedic treatments or fitness regimens; a trip to New Zealand’s beaches and native rainforests comes at a fraction of the price.  

Whether it be forest bathing, Blue Mind Theory, fresh-air fitness, star bathing, or wild swimming, I’ve tried it all. And I’ve found that doing all of the above surrounded by the majestic scenery anywhere from New Zealand’s North to South Islands, just hits different.  

Take forest bathing, for example. New Zealand’s nature is primed for immersing in greenery, with 40 percent of the country covered in indigenous forest. The practice, originating in Japan, rests on the simple (and unsurprising) notion that spending time in nature is good for you. And scientists have proven that walking, sitting or meditating in the forest can lower stress levels and boost immunity. 

One morning, during my stay at Rosewood Kauri Cliffs, I went out for some solo forest bathing. I set off on a trail to see the giant, centuries-old Kauri tree nearby that rivals the redwoods of California. Drenched in sun rays near a babbling brook, I took out my earphones and, to the gentle caw of birds, and sat and stared in silence at the tree for 10 to 15 minutes before continuing on my walk. I got up feeling as steady, peaceful and grounded as the surrounding trees. 

Across the islands, the country has thousands of kilometers of forest walking tracks, so you can easily surround yourself with giant ferns and towering palms. On the North Island, you can hike along the 25-kilometer Whirinaki Track, which offers a range of different walking loops and longer treks, including night walks through kiwi and glow worm territory. And in the South Island, Wainui Falls Track is a one-and-a-half-hour walk through the trees to a cascading waterfall—the perfect stop for a meditation session.  

New Zealand’s nature-based therapy extends to its dark, clear skies, which boast a refreshing lack of light pollution. The country has 10 designated Dark Sky locations spread throughout its islands—the Māori community has even launched a campaign to make New Zealand, aka Aotearoa, the world’s first Dark Sky Nation. 

One night after dinner, I crane my neck, nearly losing my balance, to stare up at the sky. The Milky Way and Southern Cross shine bright on a perfectly clear evening. New Zealand’s skies are primed for “star bathing”—the night-time version of forest bathing. It involves simply lying or sitting down and staring up at the night sky to observe the constellations and star clusters with the naked eye. This meditative practice calms the brain, reduces stress, and helps you sleep better.  

The South Island’s Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest Dark Sky Reserve, and arguably the country’s best place for star bathing due to it’s total lack of light pollution. From Queenstown travelers can take a short drive to Kawarau Gibbston Dark Sky Park to see the Milky Way shining brightly in dark skies protected by the area’s towering mountains.  

I’m also a big fan of another, more intense, type of immersion: wild swimming. Wild swimming is said to improve immune function and circulation, then there’s Blue Mind Theory, which says that being in, on, or near, water can improve mental health and reduce stress. If you can handle it, New Zealand is the perfect destination for some watery immersion, with chilly glacial lakes for natural cold plunges and icy paddles.

One day, I dip my toe into the waters of Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu and shudder—but to reap the benefits, I know I have to brave these bone-chilling temps. I’ve jumped into the near-freezing waters of Antarctica, this should be a breeze! I take the plunge… and jump out again as quickly as I got in. Thankfully, the team at Rosewood Matakauri had a hot chocolate and a sauna standing by.  

After driving from North to South, I’m convinced that New Zealand’s nature is a better wellness retreat than any other out there. But do yourself a favor: take your time. Don’t rush through the walking trails. Stop to stare at the birds. And pull up to a deserted beach for a swim—no matter how cold the water. 

_{Lede and hero images courtesy of Rosewood Matakauri.}

Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.

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