A Lotabit About Us

Kia ora! We’re Toni and Tania — soulmates, storytellers, and slow travellers who call Aotearoa – New Zealand home, following the tohu (signs) wherever they lead.

A couple of years ago, we hit a point where we thought: There’s got to be more to life than working our butts off just to repeat the same routine. So we made a choice — to swap deadlines for freedom, concrete for coastlines, and start building a life that felt more aligned with who we are.

Some months, you’ll find us in our campervan, waking up to the sound of waves and cooking breakfast off the grid. Other times, we’re wandering through foreign streets, following our noses to the best street food or chasing sunrises up mountain trails.

Tohu Travellers is our way of sharing the lessons, laughs, and little wins we’ve picked up along the road — in Aotearoa – New Zealand and beyond. Whether you’re planning your own escape or simply looking for a spark, we’re glad you found us.

Vanlife in Aotearoa – NZ

Travelling Aotearoa – New Zealand by campervan gives us the kind of freedom we used to only dream about. If it’s raining, we’re curled up with a good book. If it’s clear, we’re out fishing, diving, hiking, or biking — depending on where we’ve parked.

We bounce between NZMCA parks, freedom camps, and the odd powered site when it’s time to recharge or get some housework done. No two days are the same — just the way we like it.

It’s not always smooth sailing. We’ve busted a window, snapped a trailer A-frame, and even fallen into a sump hole. But each mishap brings a good yarn, a lesson, and usually a bit of duct tape.

The real highlight? The people. Kind, funny, inspiring. Vanlife isn’t just about the van — it’s about the journey and who you share it with.

Our Global Travels

Toni and I have been travelling for years — exploring Asia, wandering through Egypt, cruising the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Pacific, and road-tripping across Australia and the USA.

We’re always chasing new experiences, but at a slower pace. Highlights so far include hiking the Dolomites and Swiss Alps, unwinding on the beaches of Croatia and Bermuda, and soaking up the spiritual energy of Angkor Wat. Asia keeps calling us back — mostly thanks to its incredible food, which often ends up being the deciding factor in where we head next.

Though it sometimes feels like we’ve seen a lot, one glance at the world map reminds us we’ve only just begun. That’s the beauty of travel — each journey brings something new, and we’re so grateful for all we’ve experienced and everything still to come.

Our Love for Good Kai - Food

Food is a big part of why we travel. Before visiting a new country, we binge-watch food videos and jot down must-try dishes. We used to plan every stop — now we just mark a few highlights. And if a place is packed with locals, we’re in.

Penang and Thailand top our list: congee, roti canai, curry mee, khao soi — total flavour bombs. In Italy, we cooked most meals ourselves, loaded with fresh pastas, cheeses, and prosciutto. In San Sebastián, pintxos completely changed the game. Local food tours and cooking classes have become one of our favourite ways to connect with a culture on a deeper level.

And never skip the bakeries — especially in France and Italy. For us, food isn’t just about eating. It’s soul-filling magic.

Our Pepeha

A pepeha is an identity statement used by Māori to introduce ourselves, sharing who we are, where we come from, and where we belong. It reflects a deep connection to whakapapa (heritage) and place, often including references to one’s mountain (maunga), body of water(awa/moana). Through pepeha, we express our cultural roots and the bonds that tie us to our land, people, and history.