Are you and your family ok with colder weather? I would say Sept weather would be better, not too cold and not too hot either.

Everything should be open during Spring. It would be one of the best time to travel. If anything, you should only be worried about winter where daylight time is shorter which means less time to travel/sightseeing as attractions usually close earlier too.

I would recommend self drive, take some time to do some research, plan your route, rent a car and drive. You have 2 adults and 2 kids, just nice for a car.

I actually prefer Malaysia weather, hot and humid, hahaha

But yea, in general most Malaysian love to travel during cold weather.

Like the rest have already mentioned, all those places you listed out are in South Island, fly directly to Christchurch in South Island if you can. And 4 days is wayyyy too short to travel to NZ.

I would say Glow Worm and Hobbiton nothing much to see.

If you are choosing between North and South island, definitely go to South island.

There are not many choices for flights in and out of NZ. The two main choices are MAS (direct KL-Auckland) and Jetstar (KL-Auckland transit in Singapore for 3 hours or so).

Obviously Jetstar will take a few more hours to arrive your destination compared to MAS since you have to transit in Singapore. Luggage will all be checked in directly so you don't have to worry about that. Jetstar is like Airasia, you'll have to purchase luggage weight, food and/or entertainment, water is free to refill if you have a water bottle though. MAS is a full-fledged carrier so you'll have free flow of food and drinks on boards, etc.

As for traveling domestically around NZ, try Air NZ or Jetstar. Both of these airlines also give good pricing when they have promo. I find Jetstar have more promotions than Air NZ though. All tickets can be bought online so check both airlines when you buy domestic flights.

North to South island by car, you'll need quite some time to drive considering you'll be stopping by tourist attractions and what not. Since there's no direct flights to south island from KL, you can take a domestic flight from Auckland to Christchurch/Queenstown when you arrive. If you have the time to spare, take the drive down from Auckland to South Island. Check with the car rental company beforehand, most of them have branches in the main cities and you can return the rental car to their other branches, i.e. rent from Hertz in Auckland and return to Hertz in Christchurch. Then catch a domestic flight back to Auckland for your flight back to KL.

Enjoy your trip! Where will you be heading to this time?

I would definitely recommend driving. Some people prefer to have booking confirmation beforehand while some like to walk in. Depends on the time you are traveling also. If peak season, then better get your accommodations all set up. I usually book all my hotels before my trip. Check the few hotel booking websites, e.g. Booking.com, Agoda.com or check Trip Advisor to get a rough idea on what you are booking.

What do you mean by accommodation guide? I don't see an issue traveling with your wife and 2 young kids.

In NZ, I usually go for the holiday parks, the two main ones that I know in NZ is Kiwi Holiday Park and Top 10 Holiday Park. They actually cater for those caravan travelers but some of their bigger holiday parks also have motels and self-contained unit which includes a usable kitchen as we prefer to buy groceries and make our own dinner & breakfast (save $$). Holiday parks are definitely kids friendly.
http://www.kiwiholidayparks.com/
http://www.top10.co.nz/

ps: I'm no bro.

Take your time, enjoy the scenery. If this is your first time to NZ, focus more on South Island. I assume you will be flying into Auckland via Singapore on Jetstar?

Maybe hire a car from Auckland, take about a week or so travelling around North Island then head down to South Island and spend the rest of the time in South Island. End your trip in Christchurch or Queenstown, return the rental car there and take a domestic flight back to Auckland to catch your flight back to KL.

I've no idea what's a Hi Card.

Shouldn't be a problem. NZ is quite a slow paced country. Does she has any medical condition that doesn't allow her to travel for long period of time? If not, then I think she would enjoy it. Take your time and just enjoy the scenery.

I've thought about it few years back when I was still in a relationship. I think it's possible. Check with those wedding studios that do oversea wedding photo shooting trips.

Or if you have any photographer friends, try to make a deal with them. You will most likely be paying for their flight ticket, accommodation and everything else. Or discuss with any professional photographer that you have in mind? Otherwise, engage a wedding studio in NZ and see if they cater for international customers.

Get your own wedding gown then! These days china has some pretty cheap tailor made ones I think. If budget is an issue, don't go for branded ones lor. Can check online see anyone selling cheap wedding gown from china or not.

HOnestly, I'm not sure what's the price range like. Can't help you there. Sorry

NZ is visa upon arrival, can stay maximum 3 months. Immigration might ask where you plan to go, how much money you have, etc. if you plan to stay so long though. Make sure you have all your documents prepared.

Car rental, shouldn't be a problem in Auckland. Ask your gf studying there to look/ask around. Will be easier for her to get info for cheaper car rentals.

Can be used. But best to get a translation. Even no translation also can but you'll be taking a risk there.

Causing stress for other drivers

I was searching up and down for translators in Auckland (not exactly in the city, more like the smaller towns out of Auckland) and fail, couldn't find it. Had to translate my Malaysia driving license so that I can convert it into NZ driving license. Lucky I manage to dig up my expired international driving license.

So yea, just do the translation here in Malaysia, so much cheaper and save the hassle.

Yea, I have family there.
Go there once in two years or so. Next trip maybe Feb 2015.

Where will you be heading to?

That's a lieeee. Lol.

Bring some cash and credit card. Show proof that your gf is staying/studying there as well. NZD1k isn't that much to bring anyway.

They can be quite strict, but they can also be quite lenient. It really depends. Prepare to be question left and right though. I've heard of them purposely giving some of the PRs a hard time asking them all sorts of questions. Personally, I've had no issues/complains with the immigration.

I'm not sure about accessing your bank over there. Pretty sure you could access it via ATM but it's gonna cost money for the service charge and stuff. Best is still withdraw cash, convert it and bring it over.

This post has been edited by munkeyflo: Mar 20 2014, 03:27 AM

Whattttt???!
Means next cheapest way to auckland would be MAS already?

Depends how cheap is it, transit time might not be worth it.

Exactly. Not worth it. That day Matta fair MAS return flight is RM3k+

Say about RM2k per person return. But transit 10 hours worrr. I'd rather pay the extra 1k for a direct flight.

Yea, or you could do a break journey and spend few days in Melbourne if you have not been there.