I'm looking for lodging help for the following itinerary. We'd like to spend between $100 and $200NZ or less.

Day 1 -- Kaikoura
Day 2 -- Christchurch
Day 3 -- Hokitika
Day 4 -- Fox Villiage
Day 5 -- Wanaka
Day 6 -- Te Anau
Day 7 -- Milford Sound (I've read a lot about the cruises -- should we take an overnight cruise?)
Day 8 and 9 -- Queenstown

Thanks,
Keith

Here are a two places we'll be staying within your budget:

Kaikoura: Anchor Inn Motel
http://www.anchorinn.co.nz/

Te Anau: Campbell Auto Lodge
www.cal.co.nz/

Anchor Inn at Kaikoura is very good. Two time winner of the NZ Tourism Award.

In Wanaka, try The Moorings. Lakefront property, and just a short walk to the town centre.

Queenstown, Huge choice. Depending on the time of year you may blow your budget here. we stay at 'Outrigger at the Beacon', but not in high season (now to end of March)

Milford Sound. Overnight cruise including dinner & Breakfast is $325pp twin share for an en suite cabin (Milford Mariner), or $199 pp quad share, (communal facilities (think back packer) on the Milford Wanderer.) Fabulous trip DO IT!! Worth every cent.

With a budget of up to NZ$200 you will have a wide choice. This is at the top end of the range. Most will be less than $150, with only the best places exceeding that. Generally you get what you pay for.

Was on a similar budget when visitng NZ last September, here are some of the good choices:
Christchurch : Stonehurst
Hokitika : Why do you need to stay there -add a day at Fox and see Lake Matheson/Gillespie Beach/do the glacier walk
Fox: Rainforest Motel
Te Anau : Lakefront Lodge
Milford Sound - not sure an overnight cruis is required, but Real Journeys is the best operator
Queenstown : Bluepeaks or if you can stretch your beudget Rydges Hotel or Millenium/Copthorne Hotel

Do you think it's better just to skip Hokitika and go straight to Fox? We could spend 2 days at Fox/Franz Josef are if we go straight through and skip Hokitika(driving times estimate about 5.5 hours straight).

Hokitika is worth an hour for a meal and a look around the jewelry stores.

Barbara

If the weather is good, head straight to the glaciers, and at least get a sighting, in case it turns. Do try to get a look at the Punakaiki Rocks on that leg. It doesn't take long.

Queenstown -
We stayed 5 nights at the Blue Peaks Lodge and loved it. We stayed in the newer 2 bedroom condos that overlook the lake. Great location - just an easy 5 minute stroll to the main pedestrian area.

Kaikoura -
We stayed 1 night at the Old Convent. Quaint and interesting, but rather isolated. We ended up having dinner there (quite $$$, we thought) because we didn't want to drive into town. Our 2 bedroom "suite" for 4 people was okay, but there was no A/C and because the place is old, it was rather musty. My younger son had major allergy problems there.

Blenheim (not on the original poster's list - but I'll add it anyway) -
We stayed 3 nights at the Peppertree. Expensive, but worth every penny. The house and grounds were beautiful, the hosts were gracious and friendly, and the breakfasts were heavenly. My kids were the only ones there and were treated like royalty.

On our visit from the US last January, we spent our one night in Christchurch at the YMCA. We had never stayed at a "Y" but it looked pretty good on its website, so we took a shot. What a surprise! Not only is the city center location great--across the street from the Botanic Garden and the Arts Centre--but a deluxe room was only $60! And there's a laundry, internet hookups, coffee shop and dining hall on the premises. Cathedral Square is only 3 blocks away. You can't beat it...John