Getting off a plane after a very long overnight international flight and hopping into a rental car to drive on the left side of the road on unfamiliar roads in an unfamiliar country isn't a good idea (a lot has changed since 1995) - especially in the dead of winter- it puts you, and more importantly, others, at risk. So, yes, staying in Christchurch that first day is a smart move, although I still think your wish list on that day is quite optimistic, but you could always play it by ear.

There is no train to Hokitika (there are discussions to extend the the Tranzalpine to Hokitika but it's not yet a reality).

Only you can decide between Mt Cook and the glaciers, but the drive to the glaciers and then on to QT is a lot longer, so that may be the deciding factor. Arthur's Pass can also be problematic in the winter. Staying flexible so you can change plans on a whim is probably a good idea for that time of year a most of your planned activities are weather dependent.

I strongly suggest against Day One of your third and fourth itineraries. Stay that night in Christchurch and catch your breath.

In winter, the TranzAlpine departs at 8:15 a.m. You're arriving at 8:25 a.m. so you wouldn't be able to make it. So you can cross this option off your list.
Forget Dunedin if you only have 8 days on the South Island. Besides, there won't be a single room available for miles around on July 17.

Another beautiful day in Central Otago Diamantina! Perhaps I missed it, but what's going on in Dunedin July 17?

Kendrick Lamar is in town with his hip hop tour DAMN. Dunedin seems to be the place for events these days. Ed Sheeran was certainly a hit there booking out all the accommodation.

But we are wandering away from helping Dabunting - I'm still not sure of the attraction of Pauanui and if the weather is bad it's a waste of your time.
Visit a black sand beach out of Auckland like Piha or Muriwai and do a bush walk there. There is no need to go all the way to the Coromandel.

i was only going to Pananui for the tree huts. I thought that would be a neat experience for my girls. Are there tree hut places to stay anywhere else?

Melnq8, the rain finally departed and it was beautiful here today, too. It's supposed to stay fine and dry through Sunday! In fact, it's predicted to be a warmer than average winter, with occasional "cold blasts" and "big rain events":
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/...snaps-and-rain

That's right, Kendrick Lamar, the first hip hop artist to win the Pulitzer Prize in music, and who did the soundtrack for the hit film, "Black Panther". Dunedin has the best rugby stadium/concert venue on the South Island (it's covered), but now Christchurch is getting money to build one of their own, which will be economically disastrous for Dunedin. These concerts really help boost the local economy.

i appreciate all of your suggestions. thank you. i think now i'm going to instead concentrate on what landscape i want them to see and then plan in the activities instead of planing the activities first. So on our way to Mt Cook, I need to decide if i want to take either the Lake Tekapo or Hokitika route.

I think i want to see Arthur's Pass, so i'll skip Lake Tekapo. After Hokitika- go to Wanaka or Mt Cook?

Wanaka - you'll be separated from Mt Cook by a mountain range.

So, I think i have it. THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP! I've gone back through all of your notes and i really appreciate all of your information. I'll post photos when we get back. :)

July 12 Christchurch to Mt Cook (stop at Lake Tekapo)
July 13 Mt Cook
July 14 & 15th Wanaka
July 16 - 19 Queenstown
July 20-23 Auckland (and possibly adding an extra day at the end)

Oh. and the days that we are traveling from City to City- i'm not gonna book anything. This way we won't have to rush anywhere.

Now, i just have to book hotels (and then activities) but the hard part is over. Anyone have any fav hotels in Mt Cook, Wanaka, Queenstown, or Auckland?

For Aoraki Mt. Cook:
Aoraki Court Motel
Lots of choices for Queenstown, stay some place central so you can easily walk to the shopping, restaurants, the gondola, and so you don't have to deal with driving into the center and parking. Go for accommodation with a lake view/Remarkables view. If needed, you can use a shuttle to the ski resorts.
Will you be keeping your car for Auckland?

Thanks. I guess i need to figure out where i’ll Be staying in Auckland. But i would imagine that i’ll Be getting a car in case we stay somewhere out of Auckland for the first night. Why do you ask?

That was a good movie -The Black Panther - no wonder he is popular right now.
I'm not sure about a tree house experience in the middle of winter - for me it's close to camping in winter which is best avoided at all costs. The wider Auckland area can be very damp and miserable in the winter in a depressing wet dreary cold way. We don't get that bracing exhilarating cold they get in the South Island.

Because if you have a car, you probably wouldn't want to stay in Auckland's CBD because of the traffic congestion and one-way streets. But if you're staying outside of the center, it's no so bad.

i keep forgetting that i'm going in winter. when i last went, it was fall and absol perfect. and yes, it was a great movie! as was the recent avengers movie!!!

Your girls are lucky to have a devoted parent planning a dream holiday.
Have a look at Bethells Beach cottages. They have the rustic vibe and are right on the beach. I'll also suggest the Hilton (if you have a good budget) as it's in a fantastic location on Princes Wharf with views from both sides. There will be no cruise ships in July to block the view and it's very hand to all the city attractions. For a wet day Auckland Museum has a Maori show and exhibit on daily. It's an interesting museum in a wonderful park setting.

that sounds great! Thanks so much!!!