Hi Melissa -

With only 12 days, I suggest you pick one island. Distances in NZ are much greater than they appear on a map, roads are generally one lane in each direction and they tend to be narrow and winding.

As you're outdoorsy, I suggest you head to the South Island - and I suggest you give the 'cities' a miss and concentrate on the island's natural scenic wonders.

One possibility is to fly into Queenstown and work your way back to Christchurch - either via the West Coast (glaciers) or the inland route (Mt Cook, Lake Tekapo). Or you could fly into Christchurch and make a loop, heading down south via the West Coast and returning via the inland route (or vice versa) - this is a popular route for first time visitors to NZ and incorporates many of the SI's 'must sees'.

I know nothing about hunting, but here's a website that might help:

http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/hunting/

I find the best way to see NZ is via rental car, but there are buses if you're uncomfortable driving.

Ok that's a start. Well being that we are flying into Auckland I am debating if we should spend a day in Auckland then make our way south then maybe back up to Auckland for a few days before we have to leave. It is both of our birthdays, mine 12th and his 20th so to incorporate a nice dinner or something romantic to do together, would be ideal either in the beginning or ending. Any ideas? I just ordered some books from amazon and a map so I can prepare but what does the north have to offer?

Someone else will have to help you with the North Island, I'm more familiar with the south.

Thank you Melnq8. I am trying to schedule a hunt with Clarence Vally Trophy hunting in South Island of New Zealand near Kaikoura in northern Canterbury.

Hopefully we can do some exploring after the 4 days with them in the south. Thanks for your help!