A car traveling along the coast in Hikurangi in Northland near to Whangarei, New Zealand. Credit: Nazar Abbas Photography/Getty Images Having lived in New Zealand for nearly three decades before moving to New York, I’m often asked the same questions: Is Wānaka the new Queenstown? Where are the best surf beaches? And is the 18‑hour flight from JFK actually survivable? I return home regularly to see family and friends, and each landing underscores one simple truth: You absolutely need a car. In New York, a car is a liability, but in New Zealand, it’s your greatest luxury. It unlocks panoramic coastal roads, hidden bays, and boutique‑lined villages that reveal the country’s true character. Public transport exists, and rideshares operate in city hubs, but nothing rivals the freedom to move at your own pace and live as locals do. In Auckland, where most international journeys begin, visitors often circle the waterfront and call it a day. Yet some of the city’s most rewarding escapes sit within an hour’s radius.…