Favourite NZ holiday spots

Where are everyone's favourite NZ holiday spots, and why? I've been soooo looking forward to this summer with T and cant wait to head down to our place at Whangamata- been going there since I was born, so for 23 years a few times a year, and really want T to grow up being able to call that place his second home like I have, I love the beach down there and being able to walk everywhere and just the general feel I get whenever I go down there *sigh* can't wait to get down there again, but would also be interested in taking T to some other places over summer, so feel free to let me know your favourite spots for summer

I always went to Auckland (no joke), New Plymouth and Taumaranui (sp?) I always enjoyed Taumaranui the best because we went camping rather than motels (Auck/NP) and stayed for about a month. Would go swimming in the River... Walks through the town centre... Just chilling out! Whereas Auck would be the Museum (Motat?), Zoo, catch the Ferry... Etc. And NP would be drive to Waitomo caves or just general walking round...

Since meeting DP, his family have ALWAYS gone to Himatangi (sp?) beach! So for the last 3 years we have gone there and it's pretty much like Taumaranui - camping, off to the beach, quad/motor bike riding in the dunes, or off to Palmerston North for the day to go to the mall etc. If it rains we'd go to the movies.

We will be taking DD to Himatangi this year and every year after with the ILs. They usually have a campervan whilst DP and I have a tent so we'll see what we do this year re that but honestly can't wait, it gets so hot (30+ degrees) but can also get really cold and wet (boo!)

Ohope or Ohiwa beach. Driving down there is like living in a postcard. Ocean on one side and pohutukawas hanging over the road on the otherside. Beautiful. Ohiwa is less populated but no surf patrol etc.

Not sure it was just where my mum went as a kid and we always had a place at the camping ground. We went to Gisborne but never went back, not sure why??

I suppose I just enjoyed the camping and the playing in the river best

I love Pahia and Russell it is so beautiful up that way. I would love to make another trip up that way as last time I went was for my 1st wedding anniversary back in 2004.

Awwww up north is so beautiful! I would love to take Lily to Kerikeri one year!

I love Nelson, Golden Bay and up round there. We used to camp at Mapua every year as kids and a few times at Kaiteriteri as well.

Basically I just love camping in summer though! I really miss that being away. DH's family used to drive up to Whitianga every year from Wellington It's pretty different now to when he used to go as a kid though.

We stayed in Paihia on our last trip home with Callum and LOVED it, I would love to go back up north and explore some more. The amazing weather definitely helped too.

I love the top 10 holiday park in Hastings, with Spash Planet down the road.

Love Taupo. De Bretts with the hot pools

We only stay in motor camps, thats half the fun. Plus its cheap.

We cant afford a holiday this year, but i might take DD camping somewhere close, maybe Castle Point or Riversdale etc. Near the beach but cheap to pitch a tent for one or two nights.

thanks so much for that! we are dying to take the kids camping - we are however, missing a lot of the main requirements to camp. is there anywhere you can rent gear?

all these spots sound sooo good, im just holding out for summer now so we can take T on his first proper holiday