10 days in NZ - starting and finishing in Auckland

what interests you?
what do you want to see?
how are you travelling?

We are a couple in our mid to late 20's, we are interested in outdoors activities, eating at nice restaurants, just getting out there and doing stuff!
We were thinking of hiring a car as our way to get around.

Theres a sticky at the top titled "Read this first New Zealand". The first chapter is the important one. But I just typed "10 days in NZ" into the search box at the top and there are over 5000 hits. A bit of basic research doesnt go amiss.

And opologies if this sounds harsh but what you want is so common .

what kind of 'stuff'? Good long walks, good short walks, wine tours, bungee jumping???

but as the estimable Westwood says, there's plenty of information available for you and even those funny things called books. Come back when you have specific questions.

'sophie' does after all mean 'wisdom'. :-)

I thought it meant: I can't be arsed to do any research for myself.

My suggestion would be:
1. Attend trade shows (like wedding expos), planned events in Auckland.
- wharf restaurants are nice
- Go to One Tree Hill - Cornwall Park - nice
- Boutique cafes in New Market and Parnell
2. Drive two hours to Whitianga - Coromandel Cove, Mercury Bay, Hahei Beach - 2 nights
3. Drive 3.5 hours down to Rotorua - allow 2 nights

Then drive back to Auckland via Hamilton.
Stop by the impressive Hamilton Gardens on your way back.

There's also a shopping center in Hamilton called The Base - where you can find great value goods...

Hi, car or van is next to essential to get around in NZ as public transport (unless you are in the city or in one of the suburbs close by) is not very good (my opinion as someone who has lived in Europe and is used to their standards). The Department of Conservation (DOC) maintains some brilliant parks around Auckland (my favourites include Tawharanui and Wenderholm) where you can stay in tents or campervans. Look up their website http://regionalparks.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/wenderholm. Auckland is very cosmopolitain and nearly all the cuisines of the world can be found here - a lot depends on what you like or your budget, from NZ$185 per head degustation meals to NZ$10 bowls of brilliant noodles. Good cheap eats can be found especially in Dominion Road. http://metroeats.co.nz/category/cheap-eats/. Ten days, BTW, will not be any where near long enough to even scratch the surface of what NZ has to offer - are you committed to that time frame? Happy to answer any questions you may have....

TRADE SHOWS? WEDDING EXPOS?

on holiday? In a different country?

wow. How bored would you have to be?