Going to NZ on holiday... Advice from Kiwis appreciated

[sjs]

I know that there are lots of Kiwis who use the boards some in NZ and others around the world.

I've just booked up a 12 day trip to South Island straight after Christmas. This will be my first proper trip to NZ and the first to S. Island - I've been to Aukland for work a couple of times. We'll be travelling from Singapore to Christchurch and I'd love your advice and recommendations about what we should do and the must sees.

My dd will be close to 3 yo, so we don't want to spend the whole trip in the car. That's why I need your advice - I want to make sure we see all the amazing scenery, beaches, some wildlife (including some sheep!), drink great NZ wine and eat amazing fresh food but without it being a total trial.

Would love your inspiration! Thanks in advance.

Sibble I agree, my contract was for 37.5 hours and I was the only one who went home on time. All the others pratted about endlessly and then stayed until 8pm. They were very relaxed!

Hi again, thanks for all the info.

I'm a bit confused by where Mt Manganui is, on my map it seems to be right down the SW coast so I think that must be a different place with the same name - they have skiing there but it sounds very remote.

As for the different work ethic, I guess how much it depends on what I'm expected to do. Sibble I do project management too so tend to have a lot of freedom about how I work. Here I work with people who work very long hours (ironic as they're all experts in "work life balance" and "wellbeing" issus but I don't personally want a 45 hour working week.

I think it's actually Mt Maunganui - and it is just on the coast literally right next to Tauranga - it's like a suburb of Tauranga. Good for surfing/watersports. For skiing you'd need to drive to Whakapapa or thereabouts - about 3-4hrs drive I think. Agree that Hamilton is a dive and don't go there - having said that, Raglan (on the West Coast near Hamilton) is surfing paradise.