New Zealand ended up being one of our favorite parts of our Australia and New Zealand trip. Before visiting, I think I mostly pictured dramatic scenery and Lord of the Rings landscapes. What surprised me was how much personality each city had as well.
One of the things I appreciated most about the trip was how varied the stops were. Dunedin felt historic and distinctly Scottish, Christchurch felt modern and creative, Wellington had a great energy to it, Napier was unlike anywhere else we'd been, and Auckland felt polished and cosmopolitan.
Christchurch was probably our favorite stop overall. We did a tour along the Avon River, wandered through Riverside Market for lunch, and explored the city by historic tram. The entire city felt relaxed, walkable, and easy to enjoy. New Regent Street in particular stood out — a small colorful stretch of buildings that somehow felt both historic and cheerful at the same time.
Wellington was another highlight, especially the Wētā Workshop Experience. Seeing the studio behind the props, creatures, and effects work for films like Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit was fascinating, even for someone who isn't normally obsessed with movie production. Afterward we spent time walking the waterfront, Oriental Bay, and Cuba Street, which gave the city a fun, creative feel.
Napier ended up being one of the more unexpected stops. After a major earthquake in 1931, much of the city was rebuilt in Art Deco style, and today the entire downtown feels like stepping into a different era. Walking through the city with all the preserved architecture made it feel completely different from anywhere else on the trip.
We also spent time exploring geothermal areas near Rotorua, walked through Auckland, and had a chance to experience several completely different sides of New Zealand in a relatively short period of time. It's one of the few places we've visited where almost every stop left us saying some version of, "Yeah, I could spend more time here."