I am hoping to travel from Ireland to New Zealand in February. I plan to tour the south island by self drive and some train journeys which may take 12 days. I was looking for some advice on stopovers on the way and on the way back. One idea I have is to go via Japan and then return via the Cook Islands. A second idea I have is go via Hong Kong and Bali and return via Figi. I am wondering if anyone has any advice on these stopovers or other ones that they think would be good