we are just back from a three night stop-over in auckland, and then on to oz.
we loved, loved, loved new zealand. we spent two days and one night in rotarua, about 3 hours south east of auckland. a fabulous mauri evening, amazing mudpots, and a kiwi experience that we loved. the next day we drove to waitomo (which you could also do with a tour) and visited the glow worm caves. after a recommendation from a fellow ft, we stayed at the hobbit hotel, and loved it. the views were beautiful, and it was an incredible quiet and peaceful place. (ie. its not the nightlife capital of anywhere at all).

as for oz.... so many possibilities, so little time.