Related North Island Favorites Tips

Favorite thing: My wife and I did our honeymoon to the North island in early September 3 years ago and we were torn the same way you are, had 10 days. Eventually. We chose to stay on the north island, rent a car and do the following loop: Auckland, Rotorua, Lake Taoupo, MarTINborough, and finally Wellington. We skipped the glow worms (but I hear they are kind of neat) Better to avoid the floating innertube thing and do one of the hikes to the lesser known caves/trees.
Recommendation: Skip Rotorua, it smells and there is not much to do in winter.
Go straight to the Thermal Wonderland between Rotorua and Toupo hike for the day.
Stay in Toupo and enjoy the beautiful lake. We loved: Terraces Hotel in Toupo $245 /night
Then we went to Napier and the wineries. (Skip it!) Their Art Decco architecture stuff was a waste of time, and the local wineries are ok, if you want to spend a day wine tasting. We found it a little expensive. The hotel was a senic circle (thumbs down). Next stop was Martin Borough. Race to get here. Small local community of wineries centered around a town square. Main hotel in town is Pepeppers Martinborough, It was delightful and we enjoyed our best meal of the trip here in the hotel restaurant. Winter time means not too crowded and you can rent bycicles and visit many of the wineries. By our third winery we were being welcomed as the "American's who like Reds" before we even knocked on the door. Loved this stop. Next stop was Wellington. We actually loved the drive from martinborough to wellington. Wellington was a fun town. (Auckland was boring) Good night life. The Rose garden/botanical garden in the center of town was beautiful even this time of year. Skip the lunch at the restaurant at the top of the hill! We ran out of time at this point. but a hop down to queenstown would be very doable if you skipped rotorua and napier.
Ultimately, we chose to avoid the south island because it would be too much snow and cold. Definite takeaways: Peppers hotel chain Rocks! Little pricey but worth it. Hope this helps.
-T

Fondest memory: Martinborough and the little proprietor of one of the vinyards.

Favorite thing: This is a forum answer to someone asking about Honeymooning in NZ during July.

I was in New Zealand during July back in 1996 (sorry I know it is a while back) and the weather was stunning. That said I was in the North Island. Not sure about the South Island but Rotorua although being chilly will still be really great to visit in Winter all the usual attractions still run as far as I am aware and Auckland and the Northland (in particular the Bay of Islands) are just wonderful at that time of the year.

Favorite thing: Kiwi immediately reminds us of the indigenous iconic bird of NZ. We also used to have a famous brand of shoe polish called "Kiwi".

But there is a succulent and juicy green color fruit called "Kiwi".

Interestingly, the Kiwi fruit is not native to NZ but originated from Southern China. It was first introduced in NZ around 1906.

So visit a NZ kiwi fruit farm and eat a fresh Kiwi fruit. The taste is wonderful.

Favorite thing: While joining a river fishing trip at Lake Taupo area, I discover to my surprise small well rounded stones that are light and actually float on water.

They are pumice rocks which are volcanic origin.

Was so impressed that I carry them home and once in awhile let them float in water.

Favorite thing: Facing the Tasman Sea on the north, west and south of Mount Taranaki, New Plymouth has easy access of beaches for sailing, swimming, surfing or sand castles.

Was surprised by the black sand beaches. Apparently from some volcanic rock that produced small black specks that blacken the sand of the beach.

Anyway, you cannot miss the beaches while in or driving through New Plymouth.

Favorite thing: While it is expected to see cow and sheep farms, it was a nice surprise to see ostrich farms at the foothills of Mt. Taranaki.

Have tasted tender ostrich meat before. Not sure if I can stomach an entire ostrich egg omelete nor care for ostrich feather pillow.

Anyway, cows and sheep are not native to New Zealand. Ostriches are from Africa.

Favorite thing: Pukekura Park is a 52 hectares garden park right in downtown New Plymouth.

If is fun to stroll to view the amazing collection of native trees and ferns as well as a Japanese and Chinese garden. Great place to have a quick lunch.

Quite a number of row boats on the pond to enter a world of natural wonder right in the middle of town.

Favorite thing: When arriving at New Plymouth in the western tip of North Island, this snow capped conical volcano Mt. Taranaki (formerly Mt. Egmont) dominates the landscape.

Surprisingly it is an easy 10-15 minutes drive up to visitors center of this mountain for an amazing view of the sea and land below.

Fortunately, this volcano is not active and looks benignly over the surrounding plain.