durable stackable small containers

Have you checked the various types of pill organizers? A lot of people recommend these for carrying small quantities of spices.

Check the customs regulations also to see if you are permitted to bring in spices. From what I have read, New Zealand is very strict with regard to food products.

All the portable spice containers I've purchased for camping have been crappy - either very hard to fill, don't dispense well, or both (like this one, for example, was an epic fail). How much variety do you think you want to take? I'd probably just buy something at REI like the individual 1 ounce Nalgene jars with screw on lids or the tiny size GoTubbs. I've used other containers in both of those brands and they have stood up to a lot of abuse - and can be used for other purposes when you get back. At a minimum something that has a very secure lid so you don't end up with curry-scented clothing.

I generally just buy spices, herbs and mixtures like herbes de provence when I arrive. I take them home in Ziploc bags that I'd packed empty because we don't cook when we're on vacation, but I believe it would work well if you do cook while in another country. I bought some lovely tins of herbes de Provence in a sweet little shop in Montmartre. One was just lavender buds. I'm looking at it right now and it brings me such joy! Would you consider buying in New Zealand and then taking them back home with you if you have leftovers? (and if it's legal to do so.)
I haven't bought fresh herbs in another country, but if we were cooking, I'd love to sample what that country has. While not an herb, I fell in love with the leeks in France. They reminded me of my pépé calling leeks, the "poor man's onion". I find it delightful to go into foreign supermarkets, food shops, etc.

While not stackable - WalMart sells plastic pill jars that look like miniature cold cream jars or tiny hockey pucks. Cheap. Easy to label with tape and/or black pen. I use these while traveling and they work well without costing much. Look near the pharmacy in the area for small travel-size toiletries. You can always buy a small knife and veggie peeler at a grocery store in New Zealand. If you want to “splurge” on a knife - there are many folding knives that will work. Just need to place in checked luggage and understand knife laws in New Zealand. (Example: Case sod buster jr. - Tru-Sharp steel with synthetic handle. Opinel knives.)

I’ve brought Ziploc bags for some spices (double-bagging can help for durability), and have also just bought some at my destination. Bring a few empty Ziplocs, quart and gallon, even if you don’t bring any that contain ingredients from hone.

A decent, sharp knife is usually hard to find at an Airbnb, VRBO, etc. short-term rental, and a dull, slip-prone knife is actually dangerous. I’ve bought a single knife (bigger than the smallest paring knife, but not a full, pricey chef’s knife) more than once at a destination, and then sometimes brought it home, but never carried one from home to my destination.

Kitchens have varied from having absolutely nothing in it, to having some basics (salt, pepper, olive or cooking oil, a few random spices, maybe some pasta or rice), to having more starter ingredients (a loaf of bread, a few eggs, some milk, veggies, even a bottle of water and/or wine provided by the owner). Be prepared to shop at the local grocery store (or farmers market in New Zealand?), but there’s the potential issue of buying ingredients in packages bigger than you’ll be able to use, and so, stocking the pantry for the next people. You may just have to wait until you arrive, and see what there is to work with, how big the fridge-freezer is, and what food you want to prepare.

Pots, pans, and other kitchen implements have also varied from cheap and overly-used to new and/or high-quality. Presence and quality of spatulas and other utensils has been hit-and-miss. I’m used to gas or old-style electric ranges, but on our trips this year to Ireland, Denmark, and Norway, induction heat seems to be the rage. Every induction cooktop seems to operate differently, and figuring out how to “unlock” it and set the digital temperatures has taken some problem-solving.

European cling wrap seems to be much thinner, more prone to tearing, and also more likely to get stuck together in a wad than what we’ve got in the USA, Not sure what’s available in New Zealand. Operating in a new-to-me kitchen in Europe or South Africa has sometimes involved some adjustments, and sometimes revealed unexpected pleasant surprises.

Having a dishwasher while on vacation is a real plus.

You can buy all those things in New Zealand. Have some fun now surfing the internet to find the best stores near your first accomodation. Or there is always Amazon.

On my current trip I'm only staying in Aparthotels that have kitchens. Usually, they only have huge frying pans. So, I bought a small one on Amazon and had it delivered to my first hotel. Anything else I needed I picked up at a local store. I plan to leave them at my last hotel as shipping these home would cost more than the items.

All of those are great suggestions. I note from NZ customs website https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/

"If it is unground tea, herbs, roots, spices it must be commercially manufactured and packaged, and in its original unopened packaging."

When I am going to a rental property and plan any real cooking I pack salt, pepper and maybe some other basic spices from the dollar store.

More on folding knives: Ontario rat 1 or 2 in Aus-8 steel or Buck 110 or 112 slim select. The Ontario Rat 1 would be my first choice for size, slicing efficiency, ergonomics, and safety.

New Zealand looks really tight on any plant product brought in. Seasonings may need to be transported in original sealed pouches or small sealed plastic containers (i.e. McCormicks).

Knife needs to stay in checked luggage and left at your room/apartment. Do not walk around carrying a knife. Although, if carried inside a backpack for a picnic - that’s okay. Just be discreet and don’t carry it in your pocket around town.

If the grocery stores there have the spice by weight bins, I would just pick some up when you arrive. I’m wondering if a larger version of my “day-of-the-week” pill organizer would work for you after you return from the store.

Thanks for all the great ideas.

Except for half a day in Wellington, we are not staying in any medium to large cities. The places we plan to make our own meals have few if any restaurants and no grocery stores with the possible exception of convenience stores.

I do like to pick up food items in other countries, spices in France, Spain, Hungary and Switzerland. Plus coffee, candy, olive oil, etc. Our cooking in New Zealand will not be terribly exciting unless we happen upon something interesting that would be fun to prepare. Most of our accommodations have kitchenettes, maybe a couple burners and a microwave. Right now, I can't recall seeing ovens in any of the pics. I know one place has a grill. Likely I will be making simple pastas. For most of our trip, we will be eating dinners in restaurants.

Except for camping, the only other experience I have with cooking on vacation is Hawaii. I brought small ziplocs of spices which I placed into a larger ziploc. In Hawaii, we didn't move around so that was fine. I was hoping to find something that was easier to utilize, like the stacking containers though it sounds like they have a tendency to fail in one way or another. I have heard the idea of pill containers, I'll check to see how tight the lids are. Another option might be the prepackaged Italian or taco bags. However, in general, I don't think they taste very good.

I do know that New Zealand is very particular about bringing food and other items into the country. I follow a couple New Zealand facebook groups. Several folks have told me they've brought and declared spices when they've entered the country and didn't have any issues. They were careful to make sure everything was ground (no seeds). That.said, just because a few people were successful bringing it in, I do agree that I may not be. At worst, they confiscate my problematic items. I am going to bring a few food items, it does seem pretty clear what is acceptable and what is not. I plan to keep it separate in my suitcase so that I can produce it for inspection if necessary. I don't mind pulling together a few items to tuck into my suitcase to keep us fed and flexible.

I never do as much food prep as expected, but I often slice bread, cheese and tomatoes. Because bread is on the list, I have a strong preference for a serrated knife; I use a steak knife. I've taken a vegetable peeler on a one European trip and multiple domestic trips, thinking primarily about carrots. I don't think I've ever used it. I won't take it to Europe again; in a pinch, I can use the knife.

I hold on to just about every small container that crosses my path, for possible travel use, but I don't think I have anything really suitable for spices. If you have a Michael's store near you, that's a place to look.

Maybe breath-mint containers with tight-fitting lids, if they haven't retained the odor of the mint?

Edited to add: I've used 5 or 6 weekly pill-minders, in 3 different sizes. None of the lids were tight enough or reliable enough for spices. I'd hope for something with a screw-on lid or a lid that snaps on all the way around. Come to think of it, the smallest size of OTC pill bottle might be better than nothing. You'd have to be very careful taking off the child-proof cap, though.

Check out Humangear Stax. The small size might work for you. My favorite containers for herbs and spices on camping trips are old 35mm film containers.

Grace, that's brilliant. I have some of those, harvested from a camera store ages ago. It just never occurred to me to press them into kitchen use.