New Zealand stopover?

[NewZealandintherain]

We’re planning a trip to NZ next summer as my son is out there and it’s the only time we can go. Given the weather is likely to be rubbish I was thinking just a week in Auckland and surrounds with him then fly with him somewhere warmer.

We thought Fiji but are open to ideas. Anyone done anything similar? I think heading back to the UK via west of the US is quicker so we could stop there too? I’m a teacher so have a decent chunk of time off.

Thanks!

It seems a bit strange to go all that way to spend a week in Auckland which, in my opinion, is a shithole and where it’s much more likely to rain. It’s not going to be freezing cold but NZ has so much to offer so why would you want to miss it, even in their winter?
You can have your stopover somewhere hot (Singapore, Malaysia etc.) on the way back. This is generally the quicker route.
I avoid going through the US as you have to pay for an ESTA, even to transit, and go through immigration/collect your bags and recheck in for transit. Way too stressful when you’re on a tight schedule but ok if you’re staying a while. It took us 3 hours to get through immigration at JFK last time.
I’d go via the east, spend 3 weeks in NZ and then a week or so somewhere like Dubai if you want a blast of hot weather.
If you’re set on the US route, have a stopover in Tahiti and then LA (Santa Monica is a good base and accessible to the airport).

dont do a week a Auckland- go South Island. Weather will still not be wonderful, but at least the scenery is worth the trip 🤷‍♀️

Thanks for the replies. The reason I’ve said Auckland is it’s where my son is working. He’s unlikely to get 2 weeks off so I thought if we stay near him for the first week we can meet his friends, he can show us around. We’d like to see his life there. Probably day trip whilst he’s working. Then go somewhere easy travelling from Auckland for a week with him so he can then hop back to work. That’s the plan!

I would love to properly visit NZ but that will have to wait as I am very solar powered and don’t want to be freezing cold for my summer holiday. 🥶

Well, personally, I love Auckland and have spent a lot of time there over the years but I do have family that live in the city. Plenty to do, north shore, waiheke, an overnight to Rotorua etc. I agree with a pp, definitely go via Asia and do your stop over there somewhere, don’t go via the US as it’s a complete pita.

Cook Islands or Fiji are both very doable from Auckland. Even in their winter there will be loads of nice day trips or short stays.

In Auckland the winter is very mild. For example it's never below zero so not cold like the UK. I'd also head over to Waiheke Island (has it's own microclimate and it's a short ferry ride ) or drive up to Bay of islands for couple of days.

If you can get to Rotorua which is c 3 hrs drive from Auckland and see some of the Maori heritage things there. It's an interesting place

Thanks all. That’s really helpful. I thought the surrounding area looked nice, not as spectacular as the south but still worth seeing. I would also love to do the LOTR/Hobbit stuff. Fiji sounds good and so close!

First visit to NewZealand was in Uk summer hols, and based in Aukland. It was absolutely fine. Travelled around North Island and down to South Island. (there for 4 weeks I think). Certainly weren't freezing

Thanks @enpeatea it looks like (on average) max 11C min 1C in the south so not very warm! I think we’ll leave the south for another trip. We’re in Scotland so need a bit of sun and warmth by July 😂

I agree with other posters that transiting through the US is awful. You have to collect your luggage and go through immigration. air NZ have an arrangement that makes it slightly easier but then you get locked in a windowless boring room to wait for the next flight instead. I'd travel through Singapore or HK instead.

Born and bred in Auckland although not living there currently. Plenty to do in and around there for a week although likely it could rain for the entire time!
A day trip out to matakana for a winery tour and lunch, ferry ride to devonport, explore north head tunnels and then a stop off at the the Vic rd wine bar or kestrel before heading back. If you get patch of lovely weather then a day or two on waiheke, a visit to Toi o Tamaki art gallery, a walk around the waterfront boardwalk from st Mary's bay end towards the city (not great if it's windy but I loved it even in the rain).

Fiji and Rarotonga would both be good options. Fiji is a bit more commercial and Raro is lovely but more basic (still has resorts and activities).

Thanks! I think I need to look at flights. Annoyingly Fiji and Rarotonga seem to add extra on rather than being stopovers. It may be that the flights drive what we do.

We thought about doing Fiji (decided against in the end). He’d be best booking a package holiday for you both whilst you’re there.

Other options we looked at were Japan and Mexico, but it’s basically half way home