Ten teams, ten adventures and 48 hours to complete them. AXN’s The Amazing Race Asia returned to New Zealand in its second series for more adrenalin-packed adventures around the country’s largest city, Auckland, and culture capital Rotorua.

Contestants were challenged by activities the only way Kiwis know how to do them - extreme! As host Allan Wu said "this is one place you won't ever get bored...or disappointed".

Teams from Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines were pushed to their limits as they jumped off bridges, raced jetboats, swam through mud and propelled down rapids on nothing more than a boogie board.

"I think we had more fun in New Zealand than in any other country... I highly recommend it", said Marc, one half of the Filipino team.

But it wasn’t all extreme activities. In a rare day off, the teams managed to relax and unwind in Rotorua, getting to know each other while soaking in geothermal pools and over a traditional kiwi barbecue.

When Allan Wu, the show’s host, heard they’d be returning to New Zealand he was again "…really excited to see what else this country had to offer. Even though we had already "raced" through, I soon realized that there was still so much to see and do, so I now know this is one place you won't ever get bored...or disappointed!"

The Trip

The adventure began by finding a secret about New Zealand’s colonial past before one team member took the plunge, bungy-jumping off picturesque Auckland Harbour Bridge.

From there, the detours of rock climbing or waka-ama (outrigger canoe) were almost too difficult to complete and many of the teams continued late into the night. It was a quick stop in the wine region of Matakana before finding their way to Spookers Haunted House and its frightening inhabitants.

The next day saw the teams drive south to the cultural capital of Rotorua. After a karakia (Maori prayer) to bless the journey, their first activity was to throw themselves into rapids with only a boogie board and flippers.

The pace increased when the teams drove their own 450 horsepower jetboat. Invented in New Zealand, the jetboat has become an iconic symbol of kiwi innovation. Contestants then got down and dirty in mud at historic Hell’s Gate, home to Rotorua’s most active geothermal reserve.

The final pitstop in the New Zealand race included a detour at Te Puia, a place dedicated to the growth of Maori arts and crafts. Here teams had to choose between learning a traditional Maori stick game, titi torea, and weaving (tipare) a flax flower.

To finish, teams ran through Whakarewarewa Geothermal Reserve to the mighty Pohutu geyser, New Zealand’s largest geyser. But that wasn’t the end of their time in New Zealand. Having raced for four solid days, the teams were ready for a break - their first in the race.

It was day of action and relaxation at Rotorua’s Agrodome, Agroventures and Polynesian Spas. At Agroventures they saw what a real jetboat experience is meant to be like - fast-paced spins, huge splashes and hard turns.

Well-earned appetites were satisfied with a good old Kiwi barbecue and a relaxing few hours soaking away their stresses in the therapeutic hot pools of Polynesian Spas.

The Amazing Race Asia (season 2) is currently airing every Thursday 9pm (SIN/THAI/MAL) 10pm (HK) 8pm (JKT) on the cable channel AXN, available in many Asian territories.

Auckland

Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful

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In the Maori language, Auckland is known as Tamaki-Makau-Rau - ‘the maiden with a hundred lovers’. It earned this name because it was a region coveted by many tribes.

Rotorua

With its unique volcanic landscape, living Maori culture, natural hot springs and

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The region was the birthplace of New Zealand tourism in the 1800s, when people flocked here from around the world to see the amazing Pink and White Terraces - vast, naturally formed silica terraces that cascaded into a volcanic lake. The Te Arawa people were their local guides. The terraces were destroyed in the 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption, but Rotorua's fame as a fascinating travel destination continued to grow. Today Maori guides can often be seen at the city's iconic attractions, following in the footsteps of their ancestors.