We are going to NZ in Feb on an Elderhostel walking program "On foot in Kiwiland". The program lasts 3 wks and we will go to the following locations: Whangamata (3 nights), Dunedin (2 nts), day trip to Rotorua, Te Anau (4 nts), Omarama (1 nt), Lake Tekapo (2 nts), Hanmer Spgs (2 nts. Picton (2 nts), & Wellington (3 nts). We will then have 7 days on our own and are looking for recommendations on what to do and see. Maybe 2 or 3 great locations for day hiking.
We are an active couple in our 60's (65&69)who like day hikes, outdoors, nature, gardens,and such. We like all kinds of people and cultures but do not care for cities, museums or the like (they can wait until we get older). We will start from Wellington. Also any advice on transportation to suggested places.

With your limited time are you wanting to stay in the North Island for your seven days? Do you fly out from Wellington too? That could affect your options.

We have just returned from a month long trip (most spent in the South Island) so can offer limited help.

However in the North Island we wanted to walk the Tongariro Crossing as it is supposed to be a fantastic day walk but unfortunately the weather was against us and it was too windy so unsafe.

It is south of Lake Taupo and the idea is that you can book on one of the buses that picks up from the small towns nearby then drops you at one end of the walk and picks you up at the other later in the day.

Not sure if that is a starter idea for you.

As for transport we hired a car in the south island dropped it in Picton. Foot passengered across the ferry and picked up a new car in Wellington (avoiding car transport costs). All car hire companies arrange this easily.

Have a fantastic trip.

Not exactly a day-hike location, but what about Kaikoura (S Island, about 2/3 of the way from Picton to Christchurch on the Tranz-Coastal train). It's the "marine mammal" capital, so you can swim with dolphins or seals, and take a whale-watching tour. There are some short walks (several hours) around the town, which is quite small and very friendly. I stayed at the Lobster Motor Inn, and was really pleased with it.

I didn't spend a lot of time travelling on the North Island, but I understand that there is supposed to be some good walking in the Far North (Tutukaka etc) and on some of the tiny islands up there (eg Great Barrier Island).

It's very easy to hop around the country by plane (either Air NZ, Qantas or some of the discount carriers). This can make it possible for you to see a lot in a few days, and fly into some relatively remote areas. Book your flights once you get to NZ, but perhaps close to the start of your trip (you can book online). Fares will probably range between about NZ 55 and NZ 175 (mostly in the 70-100 range).

What is the final stop in your tour, and is that the departure point for your flight home? (If we know, then it will be easier to suggest an itinerary).

Our tour ends in Wellington and our return to the US begins there also. However, if we end up staying on North Island, we could go directly to Auckland to catch our flight home. After all the moving around we do in the first 3 weeks, maybe we should look for a region or location where we can find a lot of things to do without taveling around.

Bay of Islands on the North Island would be a good place to spend a week. Lots to see around there and plenty of places to stay. Another good area would be the Coromandel Pensinsula.