Editor's note: This was written before the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle

Home. For some, with a certain printed cushion, it’s “where the heart is”. For the Dalai Lama, it’s where you’re “treated well’. And for the Talking Heads, it’s where “I want to be”.

I’ve thought a lot about home recently, as I was lucky enough to be back there for a summer break. Swapping the snow of my new hometown of London for the sandy beaches of Aotearoa New Zealand, I’ve found that the smallest of things can make a place feel so special. From the roadside hydrangeas that fly by the car window, to the cashier’s smile at the local diary – it’s the fleeting moments that make time seem to stand still. 

Talking of timing, I narrowly missed the flooding at Auckland International Airport on my way back to the UK, and I have since been devastated to see the effects the cyclones have had on communities across New Zealand. While your spirits may undoubtedly be dampened, I wanted to provide a gleaming snapshot of summer, in the hope you can take a moment to appreciate the small marvels like these. The sun *will* shine again. 

Birdsong

On my first morning back in Aotearoa, I felt like I was floating along to birdsong. Admittedly, I’d woken up disorientated at dawn. But still – the sound of tūī outside the window, when everything else was silent, felt truly tranquil. 

In fact, studies have shown that listening to birdsong can improve our mental health, and I think a native bird’s chirp must be more beneficial than a crow’s caw. Throughout New Zealand, a peaceful chorus with bell-like tones calls to us.

The beach

I’m not sure who counted them all, but New Zealand is said to have over 700 beaches. While the beauty of a beach seems an obvious thing to note in summer, our sheer amount of shores can’t be taken for granted. 

Just as every grain of sand between our toes makes a beach, every beach along some 15,000 kilometres of coastline makes our country unique. Whether there’s white sand, black sand, sea lions or Lion Rock, the best part is there is enough space for everyone to explore.

Cafes & coffee

New Zealand cafes claim the invention of the flat white, and being able to go to almost any and be welcomed by the warm smell of roasted beans warms me to my core. But it’s not just the nationwide appreciation of coffee (and chai lattes) that energises me. From the alluring display of cabinet food to the pies that are always in the warmer, Aotearoa cafes know how to create food for the soul, and a feast for the senses – even in an instant.

Togs, togs, undies 

In a Tip Top moment, I was buying an ice cream from a beachside diary when I noticed every other customer was wearing their togs – with nothing else, other than the odd crossbody bag. At least I was confident enough to be barefoot, and as I tip-toed across the hot pavements back outside, I decided to stop being so buttoned up.

Small Talk 

Studies have shown that those who live in large cities feel more lonely. The theory is that when there are so many more people, it’s harder to form close-knit communities. On my first day back, I was rushing around town with a to-do list when I heard voices behind me, ‘I hope you have a nice day’. It stopped me in my tracks. Everywhere I went from there, I made sure to pause and  let the small talk flow. This article seems like small talk (or small writing) but the bigger picture is that we need this kind of connection, now more than ever.