Heading over to NZ! (Auckland)

Hi friends!

This upcoming summer some friends and I are going to embark on a backpacker’s dream through New Zealand, but all our planning is still in its beginner stage. We are currently trying to figure out where we should visit first, how long we are to stay, what we are going to do, etc…basically, everything.

I know that around this time is your summertime, and if similar to most cities, there are PLENTY of things going on. However, will there be any good festivals or important things that I should not miss out on between the months of May through mid-August in Auckland?

Might you recommend starting from the South Island of New Zealand, and making our way up, finishing in Auckland? Or starting in Auckland and making our way down? (At this point, flight prices look the same, and we do hope to visit both South and North islands – if possible).

Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

Jose