Hi Jon
A quick kind of round up for you. As a North islander ( Bay of Plenty ) I would suggest you bear in mind that from top to bottom we are a 1250 miles ( 2000 km ), no great distance on motorways but a rather more arduous when catching ferries between islands.
So this leaves some options :-
1./ do both islands and bring a light quick automatic camera and use it to take notes, al la sketch book and use the pics to plan your second ( and dare I hope longer trip ). Fly into Auckland and drive up - ( hmm how far you are flying, if you are not a seasoned long distance flyer and you coming down from up north then you should take a break before driving too far – um – some where pleasant just out side AKL. Kaipara harbour north and on the west coast ) - north at least as far as the Bay of Islands before turning round and heading south. On the way back at Auckland you will have to decide “classic tourist” or country side. If you are into landscapes then go round North Cape and head down into Hawkes Bay back to Taupo and south to Wellington. That’s North Island once over very lightly. Cross over on the ferry and head for Christchurch. If you went round North Cape then head down the west coast from the ferry, loop round the bottom, Milford Sound etc and up to Queenstown and fly out from Queenstown.
2./ Bring all your gear and take a much slower and shorter trip. Li-hsia trip is a good option. Bear in mind that if you are doing LF then at 3 shots a day you will not cover any great mileage ( I allow at least an hour per LF scene ).
3./ Do the west coast starting from Christchurch, again take your time and make some stunning pictures.
Film is not cheap here so bring what your need. I carry on all film and get hand inspection, now while hand inspection is a right in the USA it is not in most other places including NZ but if ones request hand inspection politely then you will get it ( I have not been turned down yet ). Kodak HD 35 mm is normally availably in the duty free at Auckland before you go through customs. Now then customs and MAF. DO PLEASE READ what the bits of paper say – our customs and MAF mean what they say and any food that’s on the lists will give you grief if its in your luggage, your incoming luggage will x-rayed and dogged.
Labs have been recommended, for ULF up to 11 inches wide C41 any length there is a lab. here in the bay which I use – not had a problem yet.
What ever you decide on have a brilliant trip.
Rob
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