I’ve spent about one month in New Zealand, half of it in the North Island, and half in the South Island. This is a very short time to discover this incredible country. It feels like a little like a western country where everyone is relaxed, at least from my perspective. The nature is everywhere and locals are laid-back and welcoming. The South island is more popular with tourists than the North and offers a bigger variety of sceneries with its incredible west-coast and sounds but the North also has its true gems, including impressive geothermic sites. I’ve driven 3300km in the South Island, and in 2 weeks, that’s very tight when you add the hiking activities. Visiting friends and hitch-hiking in the North was much more relaxed in comparison. But if I had one advice to give: allow yourself at least 3 weeks per island minimum if you really want to enjoy this beautiful country.