I'd do NZ in a campervan in winter, but in a small one ( van size ) so could stay at hostels occasionally for a break from camp grounds. Big ones would be hard to park in town.
I'd also take an electric fan heater to use in camp grounds.
Shouldn't have any problem getting into campgrounds in winter, as few people using them then.
There can still be some nice weather - just depends on your luck! It's mostly rain around that time. You are unlikely to see any snow in the North Island, apart from on the mountains. It starts to get dark around 6pm in winter. I personally think that NZ is best in summer - everyone comes out to play, but I think you will still have a good time in winter also.
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