Riding in New Zealand: Routes, Advice, People and Places

I'm out in Welsford (1 hr north of Auckland) for the summer (UK winter) and hope to take in some local coastal and inland rides. I'll also be down in the south island near Christchurch as my friend (also keen cyclist) lives there. Lemme know if you're around from Dec-Feb in either place :)

Hit Raglan on the west coast then get off the bike and spend the rest of your time there surfing = job done

I'm hoping to ship my Brother's bike out there but it will take time to get the spare £200 I need for air-freight (the only friend going out that way this winter is also doing a round the world stop-off malarky)