Kruse GPS Travel Guide

20/07/2025

You don’t need to hire a rental car or motorhome to enjoy the Kruse GPS Travel Guide experience.

Because Kruse is a GPS-enabled app that runs directly from your smartphone, it works just as well for travellers using tour coach services or public transport. Whether you’re travelling solo, hopping between towns by bus, or exploring Aotearoa New Zealand on a guided coach tour, Kruse automatically detects your location and delivers relevant commentary as you move through the landscape.

This means you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the same engaging storytelling and local insights as self-drive travellers—without needing to be behind the wheel. Kruse brings Aotearoa New Zealand to life wherever you are, making it the perfect companion for independent explorers and group tour passengers alike.

20/07/2025

When hiring a rental vehicle for a self-drive holiday in New Zealand, there are important local nuances to be aware of. Here’s a concise guide to what you need to know:

🚗 Key Differences in New Zealand Driving Rules

Single-Lane Bridges - Common in rural areas, especially on the West Coast and in the South Island. Signs indicate who gives way. If the sign is on your side, you must give way. Some bridges are shared with trains – give way to trains at all times.

Give Way Rules at Intersections

At a T-intersection, the vehicle on the terminating road must give way (same as Australia). However, New Zealand removed the “turning right gives way to turning left” rule in 2012 — in line with Australian rules now — but older drivers or printed materials may still reference the old rule.

Speed Limits

Default open road speed is 100 km/h unless otherwise posted.
Many rural roads are narrow, winding, and unmarked — even if the limit is 100 km/h, it’s often unsafe to drive at that speed.
Urban areas: 50 km/h default unless signed otherwise.
Variable speed limits (especially near schools and road works) are strictly enforced.

Helpful Resources

NZTA DriveSafe: drivesafe.org.nz
NZTA Real-time traffic info: nzta.govt.nz/traffic
Kruse GPS Audio Guide: Hear the stories of Aotearoa New Zealand as you drive along with alerts about driving rules, hazards, and local etiquette while touring: www.krusenz.com

25/02/2025

The Story of The Blackball Hilton 🏨

If you're after a drink with a side of history, make sure you take the time to visit what is “formally” the Blackball Hilton Hotel.

This classic two-storey hotel in Blackball has been serving up pints and tall tales since the early 1900s. Once called the Blackball Hilton, the name ruffled feathers at the global Hilton Hotel chain, leading to legal threats and a rebrand as 'Formerly the Blackball Hilton'. But the name wasn’t just plucked from thin air—it sits opposite Hilton Street, named after a director of the Blackball Coal Company.

Want more fascinating stories like this on your journey?

With over 1,300 stories that play automatically through your car stereo, Kruse GPS Travel Guide turns your road trip through Aotearoa New Zealand into a moving storybook. 🚗

👉 https://www.krusenz.com/

17/02/2025

Okarito Lagoon: A Rare Sanctuary for the Kotuku 🏞️

Nestled along the West Coast, Okarito Lagoon is the only breeding ground in New Zealand for the majestic Kotuku (white heron), a bird so rare that Māori tradition describes spotting one as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From November to February, these elegant birds nest among tree ferns, kōwhai, and kāmahi trees, sharing their sanctuary with shags.

Standing at 91cm, the Kotuku is the largest and most striking of New Zealand’s three heron species, instantly recognisable by its flowing white feathers and distinctive willowy neck. After the breeding season, they disperse northward, making Okarito one of the few places you can witness them in their natural habitat.

Stories That Follow You – Kruse GPS Travel Guide brings 1,300+ hidden stories to life, playing automatically through your car stereo as you travel Aotearoa New Zealand. 🔊

📲 https://www.krusenz.com/
Download the app and start exploring!

10/02/2025

Curio Bay 🌿

Take a short detour off the main highway to Curio Bay, where a 160-million-year-old petrified forest awaits. At low tide, you can walk among the fossilised remains of this Jurassic-era forest—one of the most well-preserved in the world. The fossil site stretches 20 km southwest to Slope Point, offering a rare glimpse into ancient history.

Unlock 1,300+ stories with the Kruse GPS Travel Guide, it plays automatically through your car stereo as you explore. Start your journey today!

📲 https://www.krusenz.com/

06/02/2025

The Legend of Mt Taranaki 🏔️

According to Maori legend, the beautiful maiden Mt Ruapehu was married to Mt Taranaki, a mountain situated on the central west coast of the North Island. Once when Taranaki was away hunting, Ruapehu was wooed and won by the handsome Mt Tongariro.

When Taranaki returned and found that his wife Ruapehu had been unfaithful, he engaged Tongariro in a furious battle. Taranaki was defeated in the battle and withdrew to the west coast, carving out the course of the Whanganui River as he went.

In recognition of its hallowed Māori status, Mt Taranaki has been granted the same legal rights as a living person – a standing also recently afforded to the Whanganui River and Te Urewera National Park.

Ready to uncover more incredible stories as you explore Aotearoa, New Zealand?
The Kruse GPS Travel Guide brings over 1,300 tales to life, playing seamlessly through your vehicle’s stereo. 🔊

📲 Download now: https://www.krusenz.com/

31/01/2025

13/01/2025

🏔️ Can you name this world-famous NZ destination? 🌊

Hint: It’s known as the “8th Wonder of the World” and features dramatic cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and serene waters. 🌿

Drop your guess below! 👇 🇳🇿

24/12/2024

🎄 Where are you heading these holidays?

Are you chasing the sun at the beach 🌊, exploring mountain trails 🏔️, or relaxing at a lakeside escape? 🏖️

Don’t forget to download the Kruse GPS app to make the most of your trip: www.krusenz.com. Let us know your holiday plans below! 👇🎅

19/12/2024

Is it a frog? Is it a rock? 🐸 It’s Frog Rock! Find out the story behind this quirky spot and hundreds more across NZ with the Kruse GPS Travel Guide app. 🎧 As you drive, hear the stories and history of New Zealand’s landscapes come to life.

📲 Download now for free: www.krusenz.com