Every year, for the past 5 years, I take off around the country to meet my online community in person. This year the tour was aptly named: The Bump Tour.

‘Bump’ tour because we planned informal events where people could ‘bump into us’ (us = Tim, my husband, and I) in their local town but also because during the course of our two month tour my baby bump continued to grow! We bumped into over 300 people at 17 different locations. From garden tours to yoga classes, naps in the park, fireside chats, cafe Q&As, beach hangs, and repair sessions… we had a blast meeting so many incredible people with shared sustainable values who care a lot about people and the planet and are working hard to align their values with their actions.

Along the way, event attendees and my online community supported us by ‘buying us a coffee’ (metaphorically) so we could make the events free and still make the tour possible! Zoomin’ eBikes gave us an eBike to giveaway to one of those supportive people plus we held some epic corn hole and ring toss championships at each event too.

This was our last tour before we have a third Ethically Kate member (Cricket) join us - with a secondary goal of topping up my brain with cup-filling memories to reflect on as our lives become a bit more grounded for a while.

We travelled in style, stayed at some amazing eco places, and were supported by some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s best sustainable brands. Here’s a recap!

Volkswagen: Our mode of transport

We had the absolute joy of driving the Volkswagen ID.Buzz which was brand new to Aotearoa New Zealand. Inspired by the iconic 1950s VW Kombi but packed with all the latest tech, this fully electric beauty had people waving, smiling, and stopping us for nostalgic chats wherever we went. With fast-charging capability and plenty of space (1,100L of boot space, thank goodness!), it handled long stretches with all of our tour luggage (and our secondhand bar stool we bought in Wānaka) with ease.

We loved how comfort-focused it was; movable seats, clever design touches like the way the driver’s seat gently slides forward when you sit down, and advanced driver assistance that made cruising feel effortless. Despite being electric, we never felt held back or stuck. We planned our travel days so all charging stops were welcome breaks of moments to stretch, snack, or rest before hopping back in and gliding silently through Aotearoa New Zealand’s landscapes.

We’ve driven several of Volkswagens’ electric vehicles over the past 5 years of touring, but none that sparked this much conversation or curiosity from the public. It’s a car that feels iconic and future-ready all at once. We’re incredibly grateful to Volkswagen NZ for supporting our tour and letting us experience what’s possible when sustainability meets seriously good design.

*Note: The* *ID.Buzz is available to pre-order* *now and arrives in NZ officially in June!*

ChargeNet

Whenever we mention that we travelled in an electric vehicle for two months, covering around 4000 to 5000 kilometres, people immediately assume it was a hassle. I can honestly say it was not! We used ChargeNet to charge up.

ChargeNet is Aotearoa New Zealand’s homegrown EV charging network, making electric travel realistic and easy. With over 450 fast-charging stations and a super simple app, you can find, start, and monitor your charge from your phone. This was brilliant while we did things like visited museums and had lunch - I could watch to see how long we had left from my phone. Their chargers are usually installed in conveniently located parking lots which meant we could charge up while grabbing lunch, groceries, or even nap in a local park.

ChargeNet have made EV charging way more practical as their charging systems have evolved and we’re incredibly thankful for their support of our tour.

Stays

During our 57 nights on the road we stayed at a mixture of places. Friends, family, and eco-accommodation options. Here is a list of our favourite top 7 spots so you can plan your next holiday and make sustainable accommodation decisions!

Watercliff : Tauranga

Picture this… a series of beautiful (and private) cabins, set beside the Ōmanawa River. This is Watercliff! Architecturally-designed, off-grid cabins powered by solar energy and rainwater. We loved that it was surrounded by native bush and required a short drive through the windy landscape to get there, making this a truly serene eco-retreat just 15 minutes from Tauranga.

Pāmu PurePod : Rotorua

This was probably the most luxurious place we stayed all tour! Certainly the most striking! It’s a glass cabin (yes, the walls and ceiling are all glass), providing an immersive nature experience, set amidst lush farmland near Rotorua. For those worries about privacy, there are no other humans in sight, just lots of sheep milling around the paddock. The sky was overcast when we stayed, which was a shame, as this place is optimised for star gazing - they even provide a telescope. Designed for sustainability, it operates off-grid with solar power and eco-friendly amenities - if your budget allows, it’s a must stay!

Telephone Exchange : Taupō

We stayed here for 3 nights, and could have stayed for WEEKS! It’s a restored 1950s telephone exchange transformed into a charming off-grid retreat on a working dairy farm. Tim spent his nights telling me his plan for buying the land and turning it into a wedding venue that could also host music festivals. Dreams are free! But something about this place unlocked our creativity and allowed us to deeply relax. The outdoor fire place meant Tim spent hours outside entertaining himself and exploring the surrounding fields - while I was nestled in, drinking hot chocolate admiring the view. This is our sort of retreat! It was a great blend of farmhouse charm and modern comfort, complete with an outdoor bath overlooking the valley.

Motueka TOP 10 Holiday Park : Motueka

Most Kiwis grew up having holidays at Top 10 Holiday Parks around NZ - so this was incredibly nostalgic for us. The Motueka one genuinely blew us away though! It had great facilities like a pool and spa, games rooms, playground (with a giant jumping pillow), and multiple shared kitchen facilities. We stayed in the cabins for a few nights, which were incredibly comfortable and spacious. The staff helped us with bookings and local advice on restaurants and which beaches to visit. Even though it’s just a one minute drive from town, you feel remote and secluded. You can select from cabins, caravan parks and camping sites. It's the perfect base for exploring the nearby Abel Tasman National Park. We were very impressed!

Sherwood : Queenstown

We love staying her! It’s a one minute walk to lakeside walking tracks, and a few minute drive to the main township. This lush accommodation is actually a repurposed 1980s motor inn that’s been turned into one of the world's top sustainable hotels. It’s powered by solar energy and committed to local sourcing, even having their own market garden fueling their onsite restaurant. They’re incredibly community focused too, which is why we always host our tour events here in their event space. Sherwood combines eco-conscious living with arts, wellness, and community engagement.

Edgewater : Wānaka

OK OK OK!! This one was special! Picture this… you’re standing on perfectly manicured grass looking out at Lake Wānaka in the morning sun. You’ve just finished your delicious buffet breakfast, and you’re about to ride you e-bike on the 5 minute walking track to the local township for a day of activities. After 1 minute of riding you stop to admire the famous Wānaka tree up close. This place is magical! And the rooms were one of the most spacious and well designed we stayed in - very impressive! Edgewater is Toitū carbon reduce certified and emphasizes sustainability in its operations. If you’re wanting to enhance your visit to Wānaka, do yourself a favour and consider Edgewater.

Shed & Breakfast : Otaio

Where do we begin! It’s one of Tim and I’s favorite places to visit in the whole world! And that’s high praise! It’s one of a kind in all the best ways. It’s a cozy wool shed that’s been lovingly renovated by farmer David to feel like a converted barn mixed with everything you’d love from a hobbit hole. It’s packed with personality and heartwarming charm like no other place we’ve been. Farmer David is quite literally world famous for his hospitality, warmth and drool-worthy roast dinners! And if you’re up for it, he’ll take you on a tour around the organic farm where you can pat the sheep, ride the quad bike and feed the chickens. We honestly cant speak highly enough of both farmer David and the Shed and Breakfast. Whether you want a secluded couples getaway, or a place to host your extended family, this….. is….. the…. place! It’s the ultimate cozy, self-contained kiwi farm stay.

Chia Sisters

Every time we tour we’re so grateful to have the support of Chia Sisters. They fuel our event attendees with delicious drinks! Chia Sisters is a Nelson-based beverage company founded by sisters Chloe and Florence Van Dyke, dedicated to crafting nutritious, plant-based drinks with sustainability at their core. Operating New Zealand's first solar-powered, zero-carbon juicery, they prioritise environmental responsibility by using local ingredients, recyclable packaging, and paying a living wage. We LOVE their products - especially their range of Chia drinks.

They’re available online and in stores/supermarkets near you.