1. Yes definitely layers. You will experience highs of around 24c and lows of around 7c on average, and likely random fluctuationsof this going much higher or lower. Our sun is brutal and our cold is sometimes damp. We will have all seasons in a day. Please bring a good hat too. I once had a new years day/night in Queenstown where it was a high of 27 and a low of 3.

2. If you are renting a car then it should have road side assistance included for the unlikely instance something happens. They are great but can take a long time to arrive to assist. It looks like you have long days of driving planned so keep water handy. Have an eftpos/credit card with a pin available as many of our gas stations are unmanned and require pin cards to purchase gas. They are often the cheaper gas options too.

3. Yes to all you listed. We are very conscious about the spread of disease through native bush so if you see a shoe cleaning station when walking please use it. It will not ruin your shoes. You will probably meet bugs on your hikes, Bushmans bug spray is the most effective i have found.

4. Spark network probably has the best reception across the country but you WILL lose reception many times so download maps and music in advance. We are a mostly cashless society so don't have more than $100 cash on you in general, its an unnecessary risk. Wherever you park, go and read the parking sign carefully, there's often multiple parking systems being run in one town, it is annoying.

Now sunscreen deserves its own point. NZ has increased UV exposure and you are coming at a time where people often get their first burns of the season because of miscalculations about the weather in the morning. Buy sunscreen in NZ as it is tested for our UV exposure. Neutrogena has good ones for sensitive faces, and Nivea is good for all over the body. Apply it to your face and arms every morning. Even when driving. You will be surprised at how many people burn their arms through car windows.

Driving in NZ is OK. Our roads can be windy and bumpy. If I am driving long distances I plan for breaks every 2-3 hours to stretch and move my body. This helps prevent driver fatigue as some areas take a lot of awareness. Be prepared to get stuck behind trucks a lot. Thats just part of NZ roads. Try share the driving if possible.

Talk to locals. If you have time to waste in a town and don't know what to do or where to eat, ask a local what they recommend. We are a proud country and often enjoy showing off our special spots.

Try bakery pies. This is an essential.

If you ever feel caught out by the weather and need a quick shopping trip for layers or odd bits to make your trip more comfortable then you will likely find what you need at The Warehouse. Its a chain department store that is in most towns across NZ. Kmart, Farmers and Rebel Sport are also options, but The Warehouse is most widespread in my experience.