Search intensifies for British hiker missing in New Zealand
A 'large-scale air and ground search' is continuing for the British hiker who disappeared last week in New Zealand.
Eli Sweeting, 25, was reported missing on May 4 after not returning from a solo hike up Mitre Peak, a mountain in Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, South Island.
More than 40 volunteers and staff have since been searching for the Bristolian, who has been described by New Zealand police as an 'experienced hiker'.
Helicopters, dogs, and locals have joined the search operation and some of the young man's family have also flown out to help.
The search was momentarily stopped on Wednesday and Thursday owing to weather alerts but resumed at the end of the week, focusing primarily on a route heading down the
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Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Telegraph
‘We swapped Chippenham for New Zealand and feel better off already'
From dramatic mountain ranges and fjords to long sandy beaches and vineyards, New Zealand is a bucket-list holiday destination. It has previously been voted the best country in the world by Telegraph readers, and, as its latest tourism slogan urges: 'Everyone must go!' It sounds like the perfect place to visit – and stay. It's now easier to get a taste. In January, the New Zealand government relaxed its rules to allow non-nationals to work remotely for a foreign employer while visiting for up to 90 days, with the scope to extend to up to nine months. What about when you want to take the plunge: how easy is it to move your life to the other side of the world and make a new home for yourself in New Zealand? Robert and Sabrina Eaton are giving it a go, after moving from Chippenham in Wiltshire to Whangaparāoa on the Hibiscus Coast, north of Auckland. The couple have something of a wanderlust – they met in Jakarta, moved to Singapore, tried Sydney for a year – then Robert's career in telecommunications took them to Auckland for six months in 2017. 'After holidaying in New Zealand, we liked the scenery, the culture and the people, so we decided to move there,' says Robert, 46, who is from Essex and has also worked in Taiwan, China, the Philippines and Europe. 'I have been happy to go where the work goes and swap one country for another. 'I'd been working in the UK for Vodafone for six years and we bought a home in Chippenham. But it felt quite isolating – my team were all in Europe while I was working from home full-time – and I half-heartedly applied for a job,' he says. 'The offer was good. My UK gross salary was the same as my New Zealand net salary when we moved last year.' Moving to New Zealand without a job can be tough. The country came out of a recession at the end of last year, but unemployment remains unchanged at 5.1pc – higher than Australia's 4.1pc and the UK's 4.4pc. Many New Zealanders have left for Australia's more buoyant job market (and higher wages) – around 72,000 left in the year to December 2024, according to their government. But it can be easier to get a job if you work in certain industries. There is a skills shortage in sectors such as education, healthcare, engineering and cyber security. Robert admits that he would earn even more if he did the same job in Australia, but they weren't as happy there. 'The life and weather are good, but it wasn't welcoming.' However, Robert and Sabrina did not find New Zealand as affordable as they thought. 'We loved the area – the Whangaparāoa Peninsula has beautiful beaches around it – but we were shocked at how high the house prices were.' They are renting a four-bedroom house some 25 miles outside of Auckland at NZ$850 (£375) per week, although they could have paid NZ$700 (£310) for a smaller new-build in the area. With a big garden and sea views, the house is worth around NZ$1.25m (£554,000). Robert takes a bus to Auckland for work which takes an hour each way, while Sabrina is looking for a job in recruitment. 'I'm hoping the market is going to pick up, but here in New Zealand it's all about who you know, so it takes time to get established,' says Sabrina, 47, who grew up in Malaysia. 'But the sense of community is better.' The cost of living is lower than in the UK. Their groceries are $550 (£243) per month if they shop around, and other monthly costs include broadband at $50-$100 (£22-44), mains water at $100 (£44), electric at $170 (£75), gas at $80 (£35) and mobile phones at $40-$65 (£18-£29). Petrol is cheaper than the UK, as is eating out – a quick lunch in Auckland costs around £6 to £8 each, a coffee $5 (£2.21). The move itself cost £10,000 for a 20ft container, although the starting price for a move to New Zealand is £6,300, according to John Mason International, their removals company. The couple also paid £1,000 in insurance. 'Once I lost everything when my container went overboard in transit,' says Sabrina, who adds that flying their cat over cost another £2,000. Most people take out private healthcare, she adds, which they get through Robert's job. His role was on Tier 1 of the Green List of high-demand and hard-to-fill occupations (and he is under 55), so he was able to apply for a Straight to Residence Visa that is a direct pathway to permanent residency after two years. The Green List Tier 1 includes roles in engineering, construction (especially surveyors), health and social services, IT and others (especially teachers). Tier 2 includes trades, such as plumbers and electricians, can get a Work to Residence Visa (which allows for an indefinite stay). The cost for a couple to get a visa is from $6,450 (£2,860). Having a Work to Residence Visa means they are permitted to purchase residential property, which is otherwise banned for foreigners except Australians and Singaporeans. Because the job market is not as buoyant it's important to do your research before arriving and sort out a job and visa before you go, says Liza Viz, of Beyond Recruitment. 'Finding accommodation near work can be challenging. Living expenses can be high so it's important to make sure you have budgeted for housing and transport.' Salaries have reached record highs despite the number of listed jobs having dropped by 45pc year on year in Auckland, according to Frog Recruitment. Yet some are similar to the UK. An average teacher in New Zealand earns $65,398 (£29,000), according to jobs site and an electrician makes $78,000 (£34,589). The corresponding UK averages are £43,600 and £33,000, respectively, according to the portal. 'I'm currently recruiting for a dean in higher education and the salary offered is higher than the UK,' says Liz Jones, of People2people recruitment, which specialises in placing people between the UK and New Zealand and Australia. 'There's a call out for water engineers in Wellington.' She warns that it can be hard for workers over 45 to get a visa. 'Under 45s generally have an advantage in the points-based system which allocates higher points to younger applicants, enhancing their chances of meeting the eligibility thresholds for these visas.' But there are new incentives, including a revamped golden visa – from April, it became easier for high net-worth individuals to move there on its Active Investor Plus Visa. Its 'growth' category requires an investment of $5m (£2.2m) into eligible growth sectors – the other 'balanced' category asks for $10m (£4.5m) into property investments and bonds. It has also streamlined the process for internationally trained nurses to apply. In the year to December 5,600 British people moved to New Zealand according to government figures (and 4,500 left during the same period). But John Mason International report seeing an increase of outbound moves this year so far over 2024. They report a notable shift away from Auckland, with more British migrants choosing Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton. New Zealand's points system offers more for those with job offers outside of Auckland, meaning it can be easier to get a visa if the job is based outside the capital, while those seeking an Entrepreneur Work Visa get double points for this. But New Zealand is not a low-tax paradise – its effective tax rates are similar to the UK. Although the maximum rate for high earners is lower, at 39pc, rather than 45pc, the UK's more generous tax-free allowance benefits those on lower incomes. There are the Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa for those over 66 who can invest $750,000 (£332,000) in enterprises, property or managed funds that offer a commercial return and contribute to the New Zealand economy, and have $500,000 (£221,326) to live on and an annual income of $60,000 (£26,559). UK state pensions can be paid directly into your New Zealand bank account. Robert says moving over his private pension will be straightforward. 'We can transfer it to New Zealand tax-free within four years of arrival and it goes into a QROPS [qualifying recognised overseas pension scheme]. 'This is held separately to my KiwiSaver [New Zealand's government backed pension scheme], and they can't be combined.' Although it's early days, the couple think they have made the right choice. 'Yes there are a few social issues, like homelessness in Auckland, but we can see ourselves staying here,' says Robert. 'We feel better off here financially, and for quality of life.'
The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
The ruff guide to Europe: 15 dog-friendly holidays
It's not just the scenery (toothy limestone peaks and vast wildflower meadows) that makes walking the dog in the Dolomites so invigorating. A hike along the extensive trails in Alta Badia promises delicious diversions by way of the region's myriad mountain huts, each of which has its own talented chef crafting intriguing local dishes. Base yourself in La Villa and take the cable car up to Piz La Ila, a ski station that's ideal for hiking in summer. At the top, a small pool offers dogs a place to cool down before a walk to Rifugio Ütia Bioch, an alpine hut at more than 2,000 metres (6,560 ft), which serves cocktails with foraged flowers and herbs alongside traditional Ladin food from the region. Over in Colfosco, another gondola lifts you to the terraces of Jimmi Hütte for red wine risotto and alpine aperols with views of the jagged Pizes de Cir. Where to stay In La Villa, Hotel Antines has striking views of the Dolomites and an owner who loves dogs so much she'll make yours a freshly cooked dinner. Rooms from €278 a night half-board. A slow, meandering road trip through the low-lying hills of the Valpolicella wine region north of Verona is an idyllic way to spend a few days with your dog in summer or early autumn. Italy is famously a dog-loving nation, and that doesn't stop at the cellar door – many of the wineries and agriturismos here open their doors to dogs. Head to La Cantina e Agriturismo Corte Merci to taste its Valpolicella Ripasso, which is given a second fermentation to create a richer and pleasingly complex red, or sample the wines at Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani, which allows small dogs inside for its tours and tastings. Dine at Enoteca del Bugiardo in the town of Pedemonte for excellent pairings of locally sourced cheeses and the region's best wines. Where to stay Sleep amid the vines at Dimora Buglioni Wine Relais, which has a fantastic dog-friendly restaurant. Rooms from €122 B&B a night; dogs €24 a night. Most Italian beaches are off limits for dogs in summer, but not in Liguria. The fine yellow sand, thatched parasols and rows of loungers at Bau Bau Village in Albissola Marina, 22 miles west of Genoa, look like your average beach club, but the majority of its patrons do their paddling with four legs instead of two. Founded by Elisabetta dall'Orto in 1997, the beach has become the go-to destination for sea-loving dogs and their owners, offering an agility area on the sand, evening film screenings and a dog-friendly restaurant. There are even showers for getting the salt out of your pooch's coat before you head into town to visit the dog-friendly Casa Museo Jorn, the former home of Danish artist and sculptor Asger Jorn. Where to stay NH Savona Darsena, less than two miles from Bau Bau Village, has rooms from €129 a night, dogs €25 a night (must be under 25kg). Few dog walks feel quite as fancy as those that take place in the grounds of the Loire valley's great chateaux. This region, located just a couple of hours south of Paris, is known for magnificent castles that were once the summer residences of kings, queens and nobles. Château de Chenonceau is the jewel of the valley, its steeply pointed turrets rising several storeys above the Cher river, and dogs are welcome throughout the grounds on a lead and indoors too as long as you carry them (they won't judge if you want to give your labrador a firefighter's lift). In nearby Amboise, explore both the Château Royal and Château du Clos Lucé, which have some fascinating Leonardo da Vinci heritage, and don't miss eating your way around Tours with Food Tours in Tours. Where to stay A week at troglodyte cave dwelling Le Martin Pêcheur from €396. Posh dogs, walk this way: the world‑famous Champagne region is a truly dog-loving destination. While many of the larger champagne houses in and around Reims don't allow pets, a handful of smaller winemakers welcome them with open arms (and a glass of bubbles). Tours are dog-friendly at GH Martel, as are the cellar visits at Champagne Harlin Père et Fils, a 35-minute drive from Reims. Many other houses and vineyards allow dogs in drinking areas for tastings on terraces or inside their bars. For walks, head to Parc de Champagne in central Reims, which has beautiful landscaped gardens and wooded areas for shady strolls when the sun's out, or drive out to the Parc Naturel Régional de la Montagne de Reims for longer trails in the to stay Appart'City Confort has self-catering apartments from €70 a night (dogs must be under 30kg). Dog-friendly beaches can be hard to come by during summer in France, as dog bans come into force throughout much of the country from May until September. But you needn't go far to find spectacular sands to share with the dog in the Pas-de-Calais, as several seaside towns along Côte d'Opale have really embraced what they are calling toutourisme – travel designed with dogs in mind. Head an hour south of Calais to Berck, home to a wide, brilliantly bright white-sand beach where dogs are welcome on its northern and southern sections even in August. Or stop in bougie Le Touquet, 10 miles north of Berck, for wonderful walks through sand dunes that end at the dog-friendly restaurant La Base Nord right on the Baie de Canche. The tourist offices in both towns offer welcome packs for dogs, including treats, plus maps showing walks, eateries and accommodation suitable for dogs. Where to stay A five-minute walk from the dog-friendly Plage Sainte-Cécile, Evancy Camiers-Sainte-Cécile, Trésors d'Opale has self-catering apartments with balconies overlooking the pool from €94 a night, dogs €12 a night. Spend your summer in the slow lane of France's vast transport network and make for the Canal du Midi – a 150‑mile waterway that's part of a system of canals and rivers that connect the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Taking in the entire canal would be ambitious even with an entire summer break at your disposal, but hop on board your own houseboat in Trèbes and you can cruise with the dog all the way to historic Carcassonne and beyond. Alongside the old walled city, where you'll find the medieval streets littered with dog-friendly bar and restaurant terraces, you will pass vineyards and handsome canalside communes with 13th-century churches, before reaching Castelnaudary about 25 miles (and a good few days) later. Canalside walks make for a pleasant morning routine before you spend your days sunning yourselves on the bow as you pootle along, or barbecuing on the back deck. Where to stay Four-berth houseboat from Le Boat's Trèbes base from €984 a week, dogs (max two) €85 a rental. The wide, winding Douro River is flanked by mesmerisingly terraced vineyards that give this valley a unique character. In summer, the hillsides are flourishing with plump grapes on rich green vines, while in autumn a palette of oranges, reds and browns takes over, drenching the landscape in sepia tones. Whenever you visit with the dog, this is excellent walking country, and from Pinhão there are plenty of waymarked long-distance and shorter circular walks that, conveniently, happen to pass through vineyards and wineries. Between hikes, there are dog-friendly boat tours, wine tours and tastings at Croft Winery, and an olive oil museum in nearby Casal de to stay The Suite Nunes apartment has a kitchenette, its own patio and views over the terraces, from €170 a night. Portugal's capital is an urban dog walker's paradise – as long as you don't mind a few hills. Streets lined with pretty whitewashed homes, squares overlooked by baroque-inspired buildings painted in pastel colours, and a host of miradouro (viewpoints) for wonderful vistas over the city and towards the ocean make this place a visual feast, ideally explored on foot. Come in spring or early autumn for the best weather (it's often too hot in summer for dogs unused to the heat) to ascend Miradouro de Santa Luzia to see pretty painted tiles, or Miradouro da Graça for the best sunset views. And if the city gets too much, head along the coast to Estoril and let the dog have a dip in the sea at the dog-friendly coastal area around Praia do Pescoço do Cavalo. Where to stay The effortlessly cool Selina Secret Garden near the Bairro Alto neighbourhood offers private, pet-friendly stays from €80 a night, dogs €12 a night. Quiet walking trails, majestic hilltop castles and vast almond and cork-oak plantations abound in this natural park in south-east Portugal. Serra de São Mamede natural park sits on the border with Spain, a world away from Lisbon and the busy Algarve coastline. Its remoteness makes it something of a mission to reach – it's a good seven-hour drive from the nearest ferry ports in Bilbao or Santander – but once you're there the rewards are great. This is Portuguese scenery at its best: dramatic quartzite ridges topped with fortified towns such as Marvão and Castelo do Vide; ancient oak forests teeming with wild boar and deer; and a network of prehistoric dolmen (megalithic tombs) to discover as you hike its many trails. Where to stay Pousada Marvão, where dogs get welcome treats and dinner, has spectacular views of the valley below, from €120 a night. While the beaches of southern Europe swelter throughout summer, you can count on Germany's Baltic coast to keep you and the dog cool. There's about 600 miles of shoreline here, but one of the most dog-friendly parts lies on the border with Poland on the handsome island of Usedom. Known for its pretty spa town villas in baroque, art nouveau and Palladian styles, the town of Heringsdorf is a great base with a seven-mile-long promenade for walking the dog, and canine-friendly sections of beaches in nearby Bansin. Fascinating military history can be found at the Peenemünde Historical Technical Museum, and there are wonderful forest walks around a lake at to stay Painted a regal red, and only a few minutes' walk from the beach, Villa San Remo has one- and two-bed self-catering apartments from €59 a night. Something quite remarkable is going on in the Harz mountains, a national park 115 miles south-west of Berlin. Disease, drought and invasive bark beetles have ravaged the spruce trees planted on these mountainsides after the second world war. But take the dog for a long walk from peak to peak, or around its many reservoirs, and you'll discover a landscape that's healing and rewilding itself. Beneath the barren, silvery trunks of dead spruce lies a forest floor flourishing with fungi and insects, while native saplings of oak, birch and willow are beginning to thrive. There are trails aplenty, as well as dog-friendly gondolas and the Harz Railway, a steam train that trundles to the top of the park's highest peak, the Brocken. Where to stay On the south-west edge of the Harz mountains, the Hardenberg BurgHotel is a brilliant dog-friendly base with an upmarket restaurant. Rooms from €198 a night, dogs €25 a night. If the Atlantic is too chilly a prospect for your dog, let them dip a paw in the balmy waters of the Mediterranean on Spain's Costa Brava. This part of the coastline has long been popular with Brits, but bringing the dog necessitates getting away from the crowds. The dog-friendly section of beach in L'Estartit is a good mile-long walk from the main stretch in town, and it's all the quieter for it. Expect soft sand underfoot and a gently sloping beach that's lapped by calm seas, with views out to the small but striking Illes Medes archipelago. Other dog-friendly stretches of sand abound, including Platja del Rec in L'Escala and a quiet shingle cove in Port de la to stay Set on top of hills above the Med in Begur, Hostal Sa Rascassa is a homely dog-friendly base with rooms from €125 a night. This coastal city in the east of Spain has several stretches of soft sand for running about with a ball or paddling in the Mediterranean, all of which are dog-friendly outside the main summer season (from June to the end of September), with a year-round dog section at the northern end of Playa de Pinedo. It's not just about the seaside here, though: the Jardín del Turia is a vast, green artery running through the centre of Valencia, with 136 hectares for dogs to enjoy a sniff about in town, with several enclosed socialisation dog parks and even an agility area. From here, you need only walk 10 minutes into the old town to find dog-friendly bars and terraces for a refreshing sangria. Colmado LaLola welcomes dogs inside and out, and serves beautifully fresh tapas. Where to stay Just a few minutes' walk from the Jardín del Turia, Hotel Ad Hoc Carmen allows dogs for city-centre stays. Double rooms from €94 a night. San Sebastián has long been famous for its brilliant food scene – it's the proud home of 19 Michelin stars shared by various restaurants in and around the city. For dog owners, many of these are off limits, but fortunately fantastic food is still on offer in the hundreds of pintxos bars throughout the old and new towns. Most won't blink an eye if you rock up with your dog on a lead, perhaps after a thigh-burning walk up Monte Urgull (or on the beaches if it's outside the main bathing season). Eat sea urchins at Casa Vergara, grilled octopus at La Taberna del Pícaro, or go to Borda Berri for the smoky pork rib (kebab de costilla de cerdo). And it's obligatory to finish with a slice of Basque cheesecake anywhere you can find it. Where to stay Hotel Catalonia Donosti has a rooftop pool and a spa, and bedrooms from €112 a night. Lottie Gross is the author of upcoming travel guide Dog-Friendly Europe, which will be published next year by Conway Accommodation prices correct on publication. These are low-season rates – prices may be higher in summer
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
World Crazy Golf Championships 2025 gets underway in Hastings
An estimated 250 players will compete in the individual World Crazy Golf Championships on Saturday and annual tournament, held at Hastings Adventure Golf in East Sussex, will see entrants from at least seven countries, including the USA and New Zealand, winner receives £1,250 in prize money and a further £2,500 is distributed between players placed second to Tompkins, director of Hastings Adventure Golf, said it was "a great source of local pride to host the championships". The individual event has additional junior and novice categories. The team competition took place on play six qualifying rounds - three on Saturday and three on Sunday - before the best-scoring 18 players compete in the different players have won the trophy in the event's 22-year history, according to organisers. Canterbury fencing instructor Marc Chapman is attempting to defend his crown after winning his fourth title in reigning champion said he was "hooked" after he entered the event for the first time, and returns every told the BBC he won his first title at his 10th attempt and "the rest, as they say, is history." US competitor Tom Loftus said he was "absolutely thrilled" to take on the "classic" fifth hole, which requires players to avoid a windmill's spinning blades to make their added: "It was so exciting to have that moment. I just love windmills."Rainey Statum, who travelled to the tournament from Texas, USA, told the BBC he faced a long journey to make it to the tournament, flying to London via said: "Because I don't do trains down in Texas I kinda got lost and it took five hours for me to get here to Hastings through the train and subway system."They misplaced my luggage too, so I was here a day and a half without my luggage."
