At least four weeks. Lots to see and do

4 weeks will suffice

40 years

At lest three weeks per island

You can do it in a few days or less. Depends what you mean by 'cover'? Speed run or visit every city and town from Cape Reinga to Invercargill

13 years and counting…

If you don't want to hike then you could squeeze things down in to 3 weeks... it'll just mean a very packed itinerary and you'll be driving a good few hours each day but definitely possible. I personally would make sure you do a hike or two while here, Roy's Peak by Wānaka if possible as you can factor that in easily with a drive to your next destination.

3 weeks *absolute minimum* but you’d have to make some compromises (e.g. east coast or West Coast of the South Island, not enough time for both). I’d split it to one week in the North Island and two weeks South Island. 4-5 weeks gives you more freedom, 8 weeks you could see the best places at a fast pace, 12 weeks would be ideal (but unrealistic for most people haha).

I was born and lived in NZ for 24yrs. Here’s an agenda. Fly to Auckland, drive north to Russell (Bay of Islands). Drive south thru Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula (stay Whangamata). Head south to Rotorua, then Taupo and keep on all the way to Wellington (you have seen the best of the NI. Take car ferry to Picton. Then south to Kaikoura. On to Christchurch. Drive west over Southern Alps to West Coast, turn left (!) and see Fox and Franz Joseph Glaciers.

What do you want to do whilst you’re here? Ideally how long do you want to travel? and what’s your budget?