Still in New Zealand but reporting in with a few observations and recommendations:

Even though it is just barely summer, it is VERY busy, busier than I remember on prior trips. Every I-site (info center) has a line of folks waiting. I would book ahead to the extent possible, especially for the major centers. I spoke to some folks who could not find a room at all in Christchurch, after two hours of attempted phone calls. Travel is very slow, due to an excess of campervans and roadworks. Average maybe 50-70 kph at best.

Dunedin: Hulmes Court is still recommended, although starting to show some wear. Solstice the cat has passed on, sadly, but there is a new kitten. The Hulmes II section is now cat-free, although they do come into the breakfast room for company. The breakfast is topnotch for continental, and free internet and laundry are available. The Cadbury tour is fun for chocoholics. Emerson's and Moa are the two beers of choice. Mazagram near Hulmes for excellent coffee.

Arthur's Pass: Mountain House cottages are highly recommended. Self catering, $60 per room or rent the house for $180. (They are three-BR cottages). Wobbly Kea / Oscar Haus for dinner was great (thai=style lamb salad).
There were a lot of wildflowers at Dobson's Nature walk in the pass as well as a kea or two.

Mt. Cook: The YHA single and double rooms have great pillow top views of mountains (not Mt. Cook itself). They have a log cabin feel, and are in good repair. Big kitchen with lots of capacity. Book ahead. Tekapo YHA was fully booked.

Waipara is good for wine tasting if you don't feel like driving to Blenheim. Torlesse and Pegasus Bay especially recommended. Amberley has an excellent cafe/bistro, NorWester Cafe.
Both are within an hour or so north of Christchurch. There is a Saturday farmer's market at Pegasus Bay.

Fleur's in Moeraki was very good, but must be booked ahead.

West of Auckland, Malolo House in Helensville is spotless and a very good value, although gets a bit of truck noise although not during the night. The west coast beaches, Muriwai and Bethell's are worth visiting. The gannet colony at Muriwai was in full force and you are very close to the colony with only a minimal hike.

All of the major tourist sites are mobbed, so seek out some of the out of the way spots.

Kia ora. I just checked with wotif. I am surprised to learn that it is so crowded, since it shows a large amount of accommodations available for the next 2 weeks.

http://tinyurl.com/ynbqgb

I second Hulmes Court, especially Hulmes II. Good central location, good excercise getting up there from the octagon.

Keep the reports coming.

I am surprised too that it is so crowded. I think a lot of people are leaving booking til the same day or day before, because the weather has been so bad for the last two weeks. At last yesterday was sunny and more good weather is forecast.

mlgb, thanks for taking the time for your mini trip report. Enjoy gorgeous New Zealand and may you find some peaceful spots.

More mini reporting:

Christchurch, Windsor Hotel is still my recommended choice of lodging, top location and helpful staff, plus a cute dog. Full-on English style or continental breakfast including choice of tomatoes, beans, creamed corn, spaghetti! (Great bacon). The do have free internet access now. No TVs in the rooms and share bathrooms. Got to see the Santa Parade which was fun. Dux de Lux was a disappointment (salads were mostly starches).

Arrowtown: Amisfield Bistro has a dining room with two fantastic picture windows and superb Mediterranean-influenced food. Order the chef's NZ$45 tasting menu or individual plates $15-30 more or less), wines by the glass, bottle or tasting flight ($15) Postmaster's House has reasonable lunch menu on Friday Sat-Sun. Arrowtown is quiet and peaceful after the shops close and the tour busses depart. I stayed at Poplar Lodge, a backpackers with a nice location but too many creaky floors and loud doors, and it is managed by the "inmates" rather than the owner. There are probably better choices.

Glenorchy: The drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy is stupendously beautiful, and even more so the drive from Glenorchy to the Routeburn track head. Birdwatchers heaven along the first leg to Routeburn Flats, including parakeets, riflemen, mohua (yellowhead), and South Island Robin. The fact that it was the first "fine" day in a week probably brought the birds out as well as the hikers.

Invercargill: The Southland Museum has a new exhibit about Burt Munro, with props from the movie and photos. Great. There are some nice walks at Sandy Point Domain (just out of town, with brochures available at the Info Center in the Southland museum. The Oreti Sands golf course is a great links layout. Jagz Cafe is recommended,(72 King Street) as is Zookeeper's (on the main drag). Went to the 150th A&P show in Invercargill and enjoyed the sheep shearing event. Recommended lodging is Lovett Lodge, in Gladstone neighborhood north of Queens Park. It isn't on a major street, friendly owners and breakfast included.

It took about 5 hours to drive from Invercargill to Dunedin along the Catlins Coastal heritage route (gravel) and Southern Scenic route (paved). Minimal stopping to to a cold southerly but it wasn't raining. Noted that Nugget Lodge looks like a worthwhile luxury stop (fully booked when I drove by). Kaka Point has other lodging choices.

Great info mlgb. Found your Invercargill info particularly interesting. We've been there a few times, but looks like we missed some things. I've noted your restaurant recs for next time (and there WILL be a next time).