I am planning a trip to NZ end of October for 2 weeks. Although a short time, I would like to see both the North and South Island. We will we renting a car. Any recomendations on where to find the cheapest airfare from the US (to Auckland), if an airfare/car rental package is the best way to go, and is it easy to find places to stay when not booking ahead? Thank you in advance!

We travelled on both the North and South Islands for 7 weeks in Jan-Feb 2004 and were amazed to find how often everything was booked before we arrived. We usually like just to find someplace on arrival, but wound up booking a few days in advance almost everywhere we headed. This was especially true of the good hostels and backpacker places, which were often fully booked days in advance. (In Dunedin, we ended up two nights in a pub 20 miles away because -- literally -- every hostel, backpackers' and other accommodation in the city and environs was solidly booked before we got to town and it was too windy to tent).

We travelled at roughly the same time, you should always be able to find spaces at camp sites. The only place where these were fully booked was Christchurch which really isn't worth the bother visiting.
Shop around for car deals when you arrive, obviously the longer you hire, the cheaper it is.

Hi

We found the best way to get around was to book shuttles. Most offer a hop on and hop off tcket that can be pretty well priced. We used Kiwi Traveller from Rotorua down to Wellington. For the same price as the national bus service we wrere able to "hop off" in Taupo and then again at the Tongariro national park for the crossing.
Enjoy

To really see NZ, you need a car.

I also suggest www.jasons.co.nz

It depends, though, as if you want an 'extreme sport' holiday or just the touristy areas, a package deal or backpacking might be more your style. But with only 2 weeks, backpacking might not get you too far (our public transport isn't as friendly as other nations!)Consider a motor home too as you can park and stay in rest areas overnight for free, and might be cheaper if driving around. Otherwise book into camping grounds now as most have self contained cabins for $NZ30-80 a night. It depends if you have a set itinerary, really.

Here's my tips for the 'secret gems' of the country that the travel agents won't tell you about as they are off the 'tourist route'...and you can often only get to by car or motorhome:

Buy a decent road map from a service station on arrival. You should also get some maps given when you hire the car - make sure you do!!

Magic spots that I'd say are 'must sees':
Don't linger in Auckland - it's not worth it! Get out and see the land asap.
Coromandel Peninsula - Paeroa, Te Aroha, Pauanui and Coromandel.
The East Cape - Hardly anyone there, and magical bays - especially Anaura Bay, Te Kaha, Whanarua Bay and Te Puia Springs
Masterton/ Carterton/ Greytown - wine and antiques
Hawkes Bay - for wine only
Rotorua - lots of stuff!Ask at the visitor centre for directions to 'Soda Springs' on highway 30 - it is a natural hot river that you can soak in for free.It's past a tourist place called 'Hells gate'. About 20 mins drive from city. Also see Hamurana springs if theirs time. Waimangu or Wai-o-Tapu are the best thermal areas - whakarewarewa and Orakai Korako aren't worth it.
Wellington is useful for a half-day visit if you are going across by ferry with a car. Book now if you are. See Te Papa, and a walk to the top of mt Victoria up Majoribanks street is worth it for the city view.
Nelson and the West Coast Stop at , down to Greymouth, then cut across Arthurs Pass (the Otira pub is good value to stop in at), and instead of going to Chch head down through Lake Tekapo (good campground and go see the church and dog statue) region to Mt Cook (in my opinion not worth going to the township, but get close enough to view it) and further to Queenstown (definitely see Arrowtown while there) and Wanaka. Then Fiordland is at your fingertips (Manapouri Glade camping ground is magic!). Fly back to Chch -and you can probably fly home to US from there.