We would love to experience a farm stay in either the South Island or North Island.

From September 3 - 14, 2008, we are tentatively planning on 3 nights in Queenstown, 2 nights in Dunedin, 2 nights in Christchurch, 2 nights in Rotorua, 2 nights in Coramandel Penisula, and 1 night in the Bay of Islands.

Any suggestions?

In between Queenstown and Dunedin, you should be able to find a farmstay somewhere in Southland.

Check bnb.co.nz, aa.co.nz, and I'm sure there are other sites.

Many 'farm stays' are really bed and breakfasts. We enjoyed the Westminster Lodge in Rotorua, which I felt was a bnb with a few animals. It was good but not luxury. http://www.westminsterlodge.co.nz/

Here's one that had a good report from another Fodorite. The plus is it's in the Catlins where there aren't a lot of lodging choices.

I had a great experience at one in Karamea but it's way out of your way.

http://www.catlinsfarmstay.co.nz/index.html

My son and I just returned from NZ and we stayed at an excellent farmstay not too far from Dunedin. It's called Parkside and it's in the Ida Valley off the Otago Rail Trail. http://www.centralotagorailtrail.co....ide/index.html