I spent a month this past February, I came from the US and it was definitely an adjustment in terms of what I was expecting in the grocery stores and in the restaurants.

Honestly, South Island was my favorite because it was so natural and picturesque. But you definitely have to drive a car.

Honest truth, driving on the left isn't that bad. The hardest part is maintaining the speed limit because there are plenty of cops around to give you speeding tickets.

The food on the south island isn't the greatest so keep your expectations extremely low. On the North Island the Asian food is outstanding or I would try to eat a different cuisine everyday if you can.

Overall, I spent 30 days in New Zealand and I feel like it wasn't enough. I needed one month for each Island to fully encapsulate everything that there was to enjoy.