self drive TOUR vs planning my own way...

Personally I would just rent the car and head off ... you are not in peak season (except possibly for snow sports).

There is a very good network of hostels (not unlike those in Banff, Lake Louise, etc), and these can be booked fairly readily. I can't see what you gain from a self-drive tour ... what do they offer that a DIY rental car can't achieve?

There will be rain, and cool to cold weather, but snow at sea level and low elevations in the North Island is pretty uncommon / rare. And if you identify your interests, people here can make suggestions about a 10-14 day itinerary ... or you follow the one(s) offered by the tour company.

(And as an Australian I do of course see the All Blacks as the devil incarnate, but they do know how to play the game!).

Too bad you can't make it to Oz and watch a decent game of our GREAT AUSTRALIAN GAME, aka Australian Rules Football. However getting to back to NZ, the North Island is only 1000km end to end so 10-14 days gives you more than enough time. I'm not sure what a self-drive holiday is versus drive yourself, aren't they the same thing. If by self-drive, you mean an agency arranges things for you, of course you'll pay for it. As #1 says, there will be no problem finding a place to stay, (you'll probably be the only one there), there will be no snow at sea level, but IMHO expect rain and wind, its not known as Windy Wellington for nothing. Personally I'd buy an NZ guide, see what you're interested in, where it is, work out distances, give yourself a couple of slack days each week and take it from there.

Too bad you can't make it to Oz and watch a decent game of our GREAT AUSTRALIAN GAME, aka Australian Rules Football.

speaking of which, I have contemplated stopping over in Oz for some Aussie Rules football... I don't really understand the game, but I think it's a lot of fun to watch heh
How are the flights between NZ and Aus? cheap and plentiful, that if I wanted to, I could pop over for a day for a AFL match?
as you said, 1000km end to end, sounds like I'll have some time to burn.

Check www.iwantthatflight.com.au for cheap flights between NZ and Melbourne ... fares are pretty reasonable.

Being a Sydney boy (and therefore a lover of Rugby League and Rugby Union) I think AFL is very much an acquired taste, but I have been to a few games and it is sort of exciting in a juvenile way. But whatever you decide, I think a brief triangle (NZ > Melbourne > Sydney > ?) is a fantastic addition to your trip to the South Pacific.

There are many Melbourne to Auckland flights, takes about 3 1/2 hours and about A$300 each way. Although Melbourne does not have the iconic Bridge and Opera House or decent beaches, IMHO it does have a better vibe than Sydney. It has two stadiums, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), aka "the G" and Docklands which is newer and currently known as Etihad Stadium. Both are city stadiums, easily accessible and host Aussie Rules during the Southern Winter. Lord knows how you'd get there from the West Coast of Canada, across the Pacific to Oz takes about 14 hours, maybe down to LAX and pickup an Air New Zealand flight there. Air New Zealand is always winning awards for their seating, which is meant to be the bee's knees. Although the crew are native English speakers, understanding what they're actually saying is another matter.

I wouldn't waste my time flying into Melbourne to watch AFL during Aust winter months. The weather there is crap. You can fly into Sydney or Brisbane and watch live AFL as well and the weather is much better than Melbourne. I often see Jetstar advertising one way flights between Auckland and Sydney for around $130 each way.

If you plan to follow the All Blacks for a couple if games,it could see you going up and down the country.

I wouldn't waste my time flying into Melbourne to watch AFL during Aust winter months. The weather there is crap. You can fly into Sydney or Brisbane and watch live AFL as well and the weather is much better than Melbourne. I often see Jetstar advertising one way flights between Auckland and Sydney for around $130 each way.

Yes ... I would agree with that in the main (although Melbourne is never a waste of time).

I've been to both The Gabba (AFL in Brisbane) and the Sydney Cricket Ground - both good experiences. Plus you get the benefit of seeing Sydney or the Gold Coast. I agree that Melbourne has a better vibe as a city in general, but Sydney is pretty spectacular for a short tourist trip.

I had a look at Jetstar, they have a fare Auckland to Melbourne $107, I had no idea they were so cheap. Do they use Avalon?, does anyone use Avalon?