The car ferry will save a long drive.

Dont just stop at the car park to see the seals, walk the whole peninsular. Depending on the tide, walk along the beach and back over the headland, or the other way round. Or be different, park at the southern end of the walk, its much quieter.

Always have a bullet proof vest and a loaded firearm with you

If you want to go to Christchurch, you should go to Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. That will help you see what is like to visit Antarctica.

the most amazing bay with the most amazing beach around the corner (omaha). omaha would b mi favourite beach in nz. white sand. lovely estuary. although doesnt hav much to do. there is a nyc bay u can walk to from the southern end of the beach. and u will find pink sand there

North Island is also beautiful but make sure you spend most of your time in the South Island

Once the capital of New Zealand, Auckland is a large city in terms of surface area because everybody still has a dream of their own backyard and house. Hence the distances that must be travelled to find cheap homes and supplies are huge. Very little in the way of public transport except buses and the Britomart, if you don´t have a car it is difficult to get around. The domain, albert park, the war memorial museum, Mt Eden, One tree hill and Rangitoto, are just some of the attractions to see. Auckland is also known as the city of sails not because it hosted the Americas Cup but because one in 34 people had a boat from the 70´s (Auckland had a population of approx. 800 000).

A rural town just off the main road heading towards Gisborne. There are a few amenities there including a cinema which has sadly closed down.

Go to the Blue Ice Cafe, drink lots of whatever you drink eat the great food then hop in a chopper do the overland Glacier tour then get out go to the info centre get tickets for a horse ride and do the sunset beach tour. Than stay at the YHA or any of the other great venues. Rafting is also a hit you can fly into the alps get dropped off and do anything from 1-3 day tours.

Avoid the new climbing wall and talk to the locals because they know where to go, make sure you meet a guy called Scumbag aka Greg Brown and you will be the luckiest person in the world.

Also the best things are 30km before hand in HARI HARI because thats where the Wildside backpackers is get the hut out the back and stay with Dan and Kath for as long as you want, suggested minimum is a month.

This is the most beautiful country I have visited. Nature here varies so greatly and is really spectacular, from rolling green hills to rocky mountains to glaciers...everything can be found in New Zealand! I had a wonderful time there! I also found New Zealand to be quite affordable to travel through. You get quite a lot for your money there...a quality vacation for a good price.