AA Directions Magazine

In the autumn 2025 issue of AA Directions magazine we investigate solutions. Problems come in all shapes and sizes and for our main feature we talk to some clever Kiwis coming up with innovative ways to solve them.

We travel to Hobart in Australia and take an iconic train journey aboard The Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin. In New Zeland, we visit Christchurch City, cruise in the Marlborough Sounds and road trip around Taranaki.

Our motoring and mobility stories take us behind the scenes of a driving lesson, for a chat with Kiwi motorsport legend Mad Mike Whiddett and we explain the road rules around bus lanes.

Plus, we investigate the impact of climate change on New Zealand's insurance industry, meet potter, Tony Sly and have great prizes up for grabs!

Read our autumn 2025 issue as a flipbook

Explore all the content from our Autumn 2025 issue

Solving problems: unwanted fruit and vegetables

Nicola Edmonds talks to the founders of Wonky Box.

Christchurch City: urban luxe

Jo Percival discovers the decadent side of the ever-evolving Christchurch City.

Q&A: Mad Mike Whiddett

Kiwi motorsport legend 'Mad' Mike Whiddett talks about how he came to be one of the best in the world.

Q&A: Amy Mua, MPI Detector Dog Handler

What does it take to become a detector dog handler? We chat with Amy Mua about being on the frontline of protecting New Zealand's environment.

Warwick House in Nelson is known locally as 'The Castle.'

Home profile: Warwick House, a Nelson castle

Fiona Terry talks to the owner of Nelson's Gothic-Revival 'castle', Warwick House.

What's on this autumn

Bush walks, birds for adoption, modern art, musicals and more – we've rounded up some great things to see and do around the motu this autumn.

Wheel Love: Erin and her Camaro

The 1983 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 was a match meant to be for Dunedin-based Erin.

Road Trip: Taranaki Surf Highway

From the mountain to the coast, we take a road trip around Surf Highway 45 in Taranaki.

Solving problems: repurposing pool toys

Vanessa Trethewey meets a creator upcycling the PVC waste from pool toys.

Te Kahukura Boynton

Money Matters: Te Kahukura Boynton, Māori Millionaire

From coaching to financial advice, Te Kahukura Boynton has ambitious goals. She shares some of her wisdom.

There are still many benefits to owning an EV

What's good about owning an EV?

Ben Whittacker-Cook looks into the benefits of buying an EV in today's market.

Solving problems: a space for learning

Nicola Edmonds chats with a teacher and students who have created a multi-purpose community space.

Coastal cliff erosion in Stanley Point, Auckland.

Insurance and climate change: what you need to know

Vanessa Trethewey investigates how climate change is reshaping insurance in New Zealand.

Hobart: art, wildlife and artful food

Kathryn Webster finds that there are many good reasons to visit Hobart.

Solving problems: making The Mount accessible

Debbie Griffiths discovers a community solution that allows anyone to access Mount Maunganui.

Learning to drive hero image

What you need to know about learning to drive

Kathy Catton goes behind the scenes of a driving lesson with AA Driving School.

A Marlborough Sounds cruise

Explore the Marlborough Sounds onboard a Heritage Expeditions cruise.

Meet the Maker: Tony Sly, potter

Monica Tischler meets potter Tony Sly in his studio and flagship store on Whāingaroa Raglan wharf.

Hayley Twort and AA Roadservice Officer, Rob McNeal.

A Roadservice ridealong

We find out what a typical day looks like for an AA Roadservice officer.

Solving problems: elder care companions

Jo Percival discovers a new approach to caring for the elderly.

The new extension to Port Chalmers Museum.

The Port Chalmers Museum renovation

Visit the recently renovated Port Chalmers Museum in Otago.

The Ghan: Adelaide to Darwin by train

Take an iconic 3,000km train journey from South Australia to the Northern Territory.

Lucy Mehrtens in Timaru

Celebrating SADD's 40th anniversary

We look at the history of SADD – Students Against Dangerous Driving – as the organisation marks a 40-year milestone.

Bus Lane hero image

Road rules: understanding bus lanes

We explain the rules around using bus lanes and how to avoid incurring a fine.

Solving problems: recycling vineyard posts

Fiona Terry reports on an innovative solution for re-purposing broken vineyard posts.

Top Spot: comedian Josh Thomson

Comedian Josh Thomson has fond memories of a rugged beach south of Timaru.

Solving problems: mobile health care

Monica Tischler finds a fleet of trucks bringing healthcare to remote communities.

Win great prizes with AA Directions magazine!

WIN! A Tony Sly pottery voucher

AA Directions has a Tony Sly Pottery voucher valued at $300 to give away.

WIN! A Marlborough Sounds Cruise

AA Directions has an incredible seven-day Marlborough Sounds cruise with Heritage Expeditions to give away.

WIN! A Dyson Car+Boat vacuum

AA Directions has a Dyson Car+Boat vacuum valued at $499 to give away.

From our archives

Q&A: Chris Tse, Poet Laureate

We talk to Chris Tse, New Zealand’s Poet Laureate, appointed for a two-year tenure by the National Library of New Zealand to promote and advocate for poetry.

How to avoid road rage

Driving while emotional can be distracting and even downright dangerous. We share tips on how to keep your cool behind the wheel.

Finding a hobby: Drumming

Communal drumming is both a great stress relief and a fun social experience.

Cycling, sailing and hiking in the Tasman District

A multi-mode tour of Tasman's Great Taste Trail reveals the delicious side of the upper South Island.

Fantasies fulfilled: mermaid diving

Professional mermaid Sacha Williamson shares her underwater adventures in Tutukākā, Northland.

Road safety: crashes at crossroads

The AA Research Foundation has identified a low-cost fix for dangerous rural crossroads.

Meet the maker: Masterweave throws and blankets

We talk to Lindsay Cairns from Masterweave who has been making luxury mohair blankets and throws for 35 years.

Wheel Love: Trevor Jones and his 1984 BMW R80 RT Motorbike

Trevor Jones has owned his vintage BMW motorbike for 37 years and still rides it regularly today.

Martin Van Tiel, Pyrotechnic Expert

Dr Martin Van Tiel is responsible for creating some of New Zealand's biggest and best fireworks displays.

e-Scooter safety

With the growing popularlity of e-scooters in our towns and cities, we explain the risks of riding and the best ways to stay safe.

Gisborne: sunshine, surf and stingrays

We take a family-friendly East Coast escape to explore the best bits of Gisborne.

Driveway safety tips

We explain why you should view your driveway as a road.

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