I've been there 5 times (to see the grandkids) and notice no one talks much about the north island. What a shame. From the western beaches of Aukland and the Ranges, to Bay of Plenty, Bay of Islands, Rotarua, Tongariro Trek, Hawkes Bay (especially Napier) to the islands in Hauraki Gulf (Waiheke, Rangitoto, Kirikiri) you could stay your whole trip on the North Island and never have seen all the photographic opportunities.