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People are extremely polite on the roads. It is so refreshing! Toots and waves all day. And not the sort of "waves" we regularly see in Australia, either! The whole hand is involved, not just a finger.
The road markings and signs are excellent, friendly and easy to read. But if you miss a sign, that's it, it won't be repeated. There are no mileage signs or distance markers to speak of. Maybe once when you leave a town. The next time you know how far away the town is, is when it is zero kilometres because you are passing the "Welcome to..." sign.
The road safety for driving on the edge of sheer drops into the ocean or onto people's houses are really very ordinary. New Zealanders must have a lot of faith in their timber - white posts or strips nailed to posts. Either that or motorists are "scared straight". It is quite exhilarating. But as I said before, if you miss a sign, you might not see it again. It may be important if the sign was a 25km/h speed advisory for a 180% bend with a 100 metre drop. Don't blink!
If you do, it isn't only road signs you might miss.
You might miss seeing a grader tow a ute.
Or farmers driving their tractors on the roads.
Or parking their quad bikes across the left lane of a highway.
Don't forget the wildlife and stock which may also be on the roads.
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Dad Your map shows you have hired an amphibian vehicle. What is interest at Tolago Bay? During all my visits to NZ I never got there. Sounds as if you are motoring on funny roads. wait until you drive Rotorua to Hamilton on Waikato River stretch, it is exciting particularly if river is in flood.