My wife and I travel to races regularly. We have had good experiences in the past and hold many fond memories BUT this trip to IM NZ was simply and unqualified OUTSTANDING. We decided a few weeks after our 2nd IM AZ that NZ would be IM #14 and would serve as my retirement present to ourselves. Considerable planning went in to the three week adventure. Race week first followed by a must do hike across volcanoes, sight see geo-thermal areas, Hot Water Beach, overnight horseback trip, overnight kayak, sailing, swimming with dolphins and the list goes on not to mention three months of focused training all in the pool, on the Computrainer and on the treadmill.
The race is held in the City of Taupo located on the North Island and easy 3.5 hour drive south of Aukland. Taupo, with a pop. of 22,500 ,is considered the sports event capitol of NZ hosting many national and international events. The venue is right. Natural beauty, a plethora of rooms, eateries and a group of townspeople who live to volunteer. Around 40 people from town did the race!
The swim is held in huge Lake Taupo, the largest lake in NZ.
Snowcapped mountains loom on the west side of the lake. The water is crystal clear and suitable for drinking as is. Underwater visibility is easily 50+ feet. Reports of the lake being cold were overblown as the water temperature was around 71 degrees.
The swim is one loop that starts parallel to shore, turns right out to sea for 80 meters and returns to the start. The water was like a mirror this year and the big bouys were easy to see even for my poor uncorrected eyes. A very tidy swim.
The 400 meter carpeted run to a stairway that led to the changing tent for T1 was a bit awkward but no worse than Lake Placid.

The transition organization and layout was perfect and like I said, the volunteers were happy to be our hosts and hostesses. They knew what they were doing.
The swim and T1 are in the middle of town so you bike out on a street that is lined shoulder to shoulder for the next 4-5 miles with enthusiastic spectators. At about mile 1.5 you climb for the next 4-5 miles so the cheering helps the early climb.
Once at the top of this climb, about the 10K mark it is down and flat through pine forrest and pasture to the turn around where it's back to the top of the hill, turn right and scream back in to town before starting the second and final lap.
There were no bumps or potholes BUT the surface is chip seal (stones covered with tar). When the stones are small the surface is smooth but long stretches of big stones slows cycling times. The difference in speed on the different surface types is pronounced.
Plenty of aid stations thoughtfully placed, well stocked and manned with really good adult volunteers who had been trained and/or were experienced.
Oh yes, for once there were draft marshalls doing what they should be doing, making the race fair for all. I saw more people "standing down" than in my last five long races combined.

T2 was seperate from T1 by about a mile. A steel walk bridge over the highway had been errected the previous day and got runners over the highway and on to the lake promanade safely.
Runners headed back to the center of town and T1, did a circle around the park and headed back along the lake for the first of two out and backs.
The scenery is breath taking (excuse the pun). Beautiful Lake Taupo, snowcapped mountains a little hill then more of the same.
The run course was shoulder to shoulder with enthusiastic onlookers who encouraged the racers as they made toward their goals.
Again, the aid stations were well stocked with what was needed and again, the volunteers were just the best.
There were about 1,100 starters and I think that only 34 folks dropped out. This is a friendly course and will always be at or near the top of my list for organization, venue and volunteer support.
Oh yeah, my wife was 11:54 and 5th in her AG while I was a happy camper at 13:16 and 10th in my AG. Great start of a great vacation.