Any Kiwi's out there? I'm planning a trip to New Zealand and want to know where I should spend my time.

I'll be there for 2 weeks sometime in September. I'm more interested in seeing the natural/scenic areas of New Zealand, not so much the metropolitan areas. I was planning on flying into Auckland and spending the first night there...maybe hit a bar or two. But after that I plan on embarking on a New Zealand adventure. I would like to find some great spots to do some mountain biking, hiking, rafting, surfing, exploring, etc. My plan is to start in the North and work my way South....staying in hostels along the way. If someone could please give me some good advice on the good places to go, that would be much appreciated. I don't want to hit the usual tourist traps. Also, is September a good time to go? What will the weather be like? Will I be able to surf without a wetsuit? Sorry for all the questions, I just want to be prepared. Thanks.

September is quite a good time to come here - its the start of spring and there can be cold spells so come prepared (definitely bring the wetsuit - NZ surf is seldom warm).

Top surfing spots :
Raglan http://www.raglan.net.nz/about/index.php
Taranaki http://taranakisurf.tripod.com/
Gisborne (home of Maz Quinn!)

Check out this site for accomodation and attractions all around NZ http://www.jasons.com/New-Zealand/

The rafting in NZ is amazing - there are so many to choose from though in both North & South Islands from Grade 2 to Grade 5. You should do some research (use google.co.nz and choose pages from NZ)
Actually the same is true for mountain biking! So many options, so many trails, so much country and so few people.


The South Island is way more dramatic and a lot less populated, you must not miss going down the West Coast it is stunningly primeval and rugged http://www.west-coast.co.nz/

The Department of Conservation is a great place to get info about back country huts and maintained tracks http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/default...

The key tourist towns are Auckland, Rotorua, Taupo and Queenstown so as long as you avoid those for too long you should have a great time.

If you're only here for 2 weeks don't try to travel too far - you'll miss out on too much good stuff; decide on a couple of key places and spend at stay 4 nights in each. Also school holidays go from 26 Sept to 13 Oct so try to avoid that timeframe.

If you book early on the Air New Zealand website you'll be able to get some decent prices on airfares around NZ eg Auckland to Christchurch for $79

heres a quick runthrough of where u should go if your looking for certain things:
great shopping lots to do, nightlife=Auckland/wellington
adventure/thrills (e.g bungee jumping) Queenstown
rural escapes/wineries= wairarapa, hawkes bay
beautiful scenery=south island (west coast in particular)
thermal pools/volcanoes=Rotorua/Hmner springs
beautiful cities=christchurch/Hastings
Awesome beaches=Piha/Castlepoint
have fun in Nz!