Mike Egan

Restaurateur and national president of the Restaurant Association of New Zealand.

What’s one place you would take every visitor to New Zealand, and why?

Mt Maunganui. It has it all – fine beaches, warm ocean, great surf, good cafes and restaurants, a classic campground, and spectacular views from the top of the Mount.

I would also take visitors to my wife’s grandmother who is 101, lives there on her own, still plays competitive bridge three times a week, and has wonderful life stories to share.

What’s your secret backyard favourite spot?

The eight-kilometre track in the Remutaka Forest Park.

Only a 45-minute drive from Wellington, it’s a wonderful walk through beech forests, and your visitors can then be rewarded with a refreshing swim in O¯ rongorongo River.

What’s your favourite place for a pie/coffee?

Definitely The Container Cafe in the Far North at Pukenui, which has outstanding pa¯ ua pies. It’s also the last cafe before Cape Reinga, so makes a perfect stop to refuel before or after you visit the top of the country.

You know it’s good when the car park is full of tradies’ vehicles. The cafe also sells the fabulous local honey from Houhora Honey Bees.

What’s one New Zealand spot that’s at the top of your bucket list?

To stay at The Landing in the Bay of Islands. I’ve heard wonderful things about this property.

It fits into the landscape beautifully and has an amazing food story, using produce from its kitchen gardens, and local kai moana cooked by a resident chef, who has a lovely touch with these ingredients.