Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is a great way to travel that allows you to really get to know the locals. Many people prefer hitching to other forms of transport because it you can get dropped off anywhere, allowing you to discover places you may never have dreamed of visiting.
New Zealand is a great country to hitch in and it is a popular way of getting around. Most hitchers say that you don't have to wait much longer than 15 to 20 minutes for a lift although it may take longer on deserted country roads due to the lack of traffic
Unfortunately hitchhiking gets a lot of bad press. It seems that everyone thinks that you'll get murdered if you hitch. This attitude has two negative effects -- people are too frightened to pick you up and a lot of other travellers are scared to hitchhike meaning less hitchers on the road which ultimately leads to hitchhiking becoming a dying art.
Where to hitch
It is important to choose a good spot to hitchhike.
If you are leaving a big city it is a good idea to take a bus or train to the outskirts of town to get to a road leading to a motorway (expressway).Choose a spot with plenty of room for the driver to safely stop. If possible try and stand in a spot where the traffic isn't too fast. It is much safer and also most drivers want to size you up before deciding whether to pick you up.
If you've got a lift on a motorway, try and get dropped off at a rest area rather than in town. If you're dropped off in town you have to wait hours in local traffic before getting a lift back on to the motorway. If you hitch at a service area you have facilities like a restaurant, shop and toilets; you can chat to truck drivers and ask about getting a lift and you can get a good safe spot to stand where all the traffic is long distance.
Don't hitchhike on motorways, stick to the entrance ramps and service areas. Not only is hitching on motorways dangerous, it is difficult for cars to safely stop and in most