Oceania (Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific) - Do I choose Wellington or Christchurch?

I'll be in Auckland early June and would like to do a day trip to either Wellington or Christchurch. I intend to fly from AKL and spend a few hours in the city. (Having done day trips from London to Amsterdam, Madrid & Valencia, the early starts aren't a problem.)
To all you F.T'ers out there, which would you recommend and what tips do have?
Thanks.

I may be biased, but I'd take Wellington. It's a great place for a short visit.

Catch the bus (#91) into the city and walk around. A taxi into the city isn't expensive either. Go to Te Papa for a couple of hours, enjoy lunch by the harbour. Visit the Beehive and catch the cable car up to Kelburn and walk back down through the Botanic Gardens. In the evening, have a few drinks Courtenay Place, then return to the airport.

If you're lucky, you may get one of the sunny winter days, or it can get a bit breezy (which most other cities consider to be gale force). :)

For Christchurch, there isn't much in the middle of the city... Akaroa is nice, but you'll need a car...

I would definitely recommend Wellington. There is more to do there than you may think by the population of the city. Being the capital city there are various things to look at like Parliament House, Te Papa Museum etc, plus a thriving restaurant/cafe culture.
Christchurch city centre will still need much rebuilding after the earthquakes, so probably another reason to go for Wellington.

I know you asked between wellington and cc, but how about a day trip to waitamo caves and/or rotorua. much more interesting than the cities you mention, and give you a look at the natural beauty of new zealand. or alternatively, take a ferry ride to rangotito island or waiheke island out of auckland, and you will feel like you are in a different place than auckland.

We were just in christchurch last week. the downtown is still cordoned off, and again the interesting stuff is outside of the city.

Wellington would be a better bet than Christchurch. Most of the centre of Christchurch was wrecked in the earthquake last year, and is still closed to the public.

I'd opt for Wellington. Previously, I might have said Christchurch, but since the recent earthquakes much of the centre of the city is still off-limits. There is plenty to see in Wellington. (Take a raincoat.)

Lots of ideas here.
I knew that Christchuch was still recovering from the earthquake, but I had no idea that much of the area was still out of bounds.
Thank you, everyone for your help.

I knew that Christchuch was still recovering from the earthquake, but I had no idea that much of the area was still out of bounds.
The "Red Zone" is slowly shrinking, but it's still pretty substantial. Latest map here:

http://cera.govt.nz/cbd-red-zone/red-zone-cordon-map

Chch is quite a sprawling city, so geographically the Zone covers only a small portion -- only problem is, it's literally the city centre and contains quite a few of the city's sights, top restaurants, hotels etc.

+1 from ChristChurch

The "Red Zone" is slowly shrinking, but it's still pretty substantial. Latest map here:

http://cera.govt.nz/cbd-red-zone/red-zone-cordon-map

Chch is quite a sprawling city, so geographically the Zone covers only a small portion -- only problem is, it's literally the city centre and contains quite a few of the city's sights, top restaurants, hotels etc.

I found that most helpful.
Thanks.

Lots of ideas here.
I knew that Christchuch was still recovering from the earthquake, but I had no idea that much of the area was still out of bounds.
Thank you, everyone for your help.

there are still aftershocks happening

Wellington seems easy to get to from the airport via city bus, but as someone else mentioned above consider any one of the other cities. I too like Rotorua, lots of thermal stuff to explore there. Tauranga was fantastic when I visited a few weeks ago. Napier/Hastings and Lake Taupo are cool.

Soon I'll be taking day trips to Whakatane, Kerikeri, and New Plymouth. Already done Hamilton and Palmerston North, but I don't think there's enough to do to fill up a day's worth of activities.

If you are determined on the South Island consider Blenheim or Nelson, both will get you into a very beautiful country side, but you will need a rental car to explore it.

Cheers,
--Russ

there are still aftershocks happening

Wellington seems easy to get to from the airport via city bus, but as someone else mentioned above consider any one of the other cities. I too like Rotorua, lots of thermal stuff to explore there. Tauranga was fantastic when I visited a few weeks ago. Napier/Hastings and Lake Taupo are cool.

Soon I'll be taking day trips to Whakatane, Kerikeri, and New Plymouth. Already done Hamilton and Palmerston North, but I don't think there's enough to do to fill up a day's worth of activities.

If you are determined on the South Island consider Blenheim or Nelson, both will get you into a very beautiful country side, but you will need a rental car to explore it.

Cheers,
--Russ

Thanks, TrueBlueFlyer.
I'll be relying on public transport and getting around on foot, hence visiting somewhere out of AKL which is easily accessible.

Cypress.

Public transport is very good between cities in nz. The buses have occasional stops and sometimes commentary and history from the driver. Great sights runs day tours from Auckland so you can check their itineraries.

Public transport is very good between cities in nz. The buses have occasional stops and sometimes commentary and history from the driver. Great sights runs day tours from Auckland so you can check their itineraries.

That's got me thinking, worldiswide.
Apart from the usual tour buses, is there a service to and from Rotorua? If so, what is the cost and how long does it take?
I know that Air NZ flies there, but I wouldn't get to see the landscape.
Incidentally, any other recommendations by coach?
Thanks.

Try Newman's or Intercity bus lines websites. They are two of the big transport companies and run from Auckland to Rotorua. You can combine the gloworm caves at Waitamo and Rotorua, or there is lots to do in Rotorua for a day. You just a have a day to do this, correct? Not sure what the price differences is for the bus alone or the tours The other option is a day tour to the Bay of Islands, 3-4 hours north of Auckland.

Try Newman's or Intercity bus lines websites. They are two of the big transport companies and run from Auckland to Rotorua. You can combine the gloworm caves at Waitamo and Rotorua, or there is lots to do in Rotorua for a day. You just a have a day to do this, correct? Not sure what the price differences is for the bus alone or the tours The other option is a day tour to the Bay of Islands, 3-4 hours north of Auckland.

Yes, my trips do involve days out. Your suggestions were useful.
Thanks.

Glad to assist. NZ is one of our favorite places with lots to see and do, and Id hate for someone to come away thinking auckland is the best of nz, even though it is not bad by city standards. The islands around auckland are very nice. Even the short ferry ride - I think it is 12 minutes - to devonport is nice. Ranotito is a volanic island and you can either walk around there by yourself, or take a 4wd tour around the island. Its very close to auckland. Both ferries leave right from downtown. If you are into history the Auckland musuem is really good. Kelly Tarlton's is also fun to visit. They have a bus from downtown (you cant miss it, it has a shark's mouth on the front of the vus) or you can take public transport. I dont remember hours it is open, but the visit doesnt take too long.

Glad to assist. NZ is one of our favorite places with lots to see and do, and Id hate for someone to come away thinking auckland is the best of nz, even though it is not bad by city standards. The islands around auckland are very nice. Even the short ferry ride - I think it is 12 minutes - to devonport is nice. Ranotito is a volanic island and you can either walk around there by yourself, or take a 4wd tour around the island. Its very close to auckland. Both ferries leave right from downtown. If you are into history the Auckland musuem is really good. Kelly Tarlton's is also fun to visit. They have a bus from downtown (you cant miss it, it has a shark's mouth on the front of the vus) or you can take public transport. I dont remember hours it is open, but the visit doesnt take too long.

Thank you. Yes, lots to see and do in AKL. ^
Have got a couple of guide books, plus searching on the www I'll be spoilt for choice.

I went onto ANZ's site to the Grabaseat page to discover that only afternoon flights to Christchurch were available. Now as this is intended to be a day trip, I'd only get a few hours there.
On the other hand, there were morning flights to Wellington, which is why I made the choice.
Thank you one and all for your help.

Just returned from 3 weeks in NZ and I loved Wellington. One of the most enjoyable days of our trip. Take the tram to the top and walk through the botanical gardens down. You'll end up through the old cemetery at Parliament. Take a Parliament tour (every hour) and have a drink or fish and chips at the Backbencher Pub. Google it - it's a one of a kind. A MUST SEE is the Te Papa museum (free). That will all fit into one amazing day !

Just returned from 3 weeks in NZ and I loved Wellington. One of the most enjoyable days of our trip. Take the tram to the top and walk through the botanical gardens down. You'll end up through the old cemetery at Parliament. Take a Parliament tour (every hour) and have a drink or fish and chips at the Backbencher Pub. Google it - it's a one of a kind. A MUST SEE is the Te Papa museum (free). That will all fit into one amazing day !

Shall go for it.^^^
Thanks.

Wellington would be a better bet than Christchurch. Most of the centre of Christchurch was wrecked in the earthquake last year, and is still closed to the public.

Yes, is very sad, and the mood in Christchurch isn't the happiest at the moment. Its still a good jumping off point for excursions in the South Island, but its definitely less interesting as a destination than Wellington for tourists at this point.