Internet connections are not very widespread or advanced. I haven’t found a cafe with a free wireless internet connection in either Auckland or Wellington. Broadband is pretty expensive, so many people just have dial-up access at home.
Fortunately, hitchhiking is good. My hosts dropped me at a gas station on route 1 down to Wellington. It was raining all day yesterday, but I didn’t have to wait too long at the gas stations. Kiwis are friendly. My first ride was with Nick and his parents. Really interesting people. I will probably go visit them this summer. And I might even have some job opportunity, working with gifted and talented children!
Check the Hitchhiking Wiki for useful tips, especially if it’s your first time hitchhiking. Many people hitchhike for the first time, in New Zealand. In fact, in the plane from LA I met Scott, whom I introduced to CouchSurfing and hitchhiking. And, hitching from the airport to Auckland’s city center is really easy.
