Discussion: Waitangi Summer Carnival - advice

Okay AP Kiwis -

I'm basically sold on going to the Waitangi Summer Carnival. First, I need just a little nudging to seal the deal.

Once you've convinced me to go (that won't be hard), I'll just be looking for any advice regarding the event itself (transportation and lodging, things to do in the off-time) as well as suggestions for where to go for a non-orienteering related vacation the week+ before the event. We've never been to New Zealand, so any and all suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!

If you can hold out a few more days we are hoping to have lots more info on the website after exams finish on Saturday

Accommodation: Sat night there will be camping at the Katoa Po relay
Sun through to Wed night, we are looking at group accommodation (cabins, dorms and camping) just outside of Hamilton, this should be able to be booked on the entry form that will be out shortly.
That just leaves the last part of the carnival, once in Auckland somewhere northish of the city would be best, nothing is being officially organised but it is suggested that Parakai is the best with a camping ground (attached to the hot pools) and various motel like possibilities

Transport: car hire would be just about be the only option, rides or possible hire share might be able to be found if you post something on maptalk.co.nz

Non-O Attractions: Depnds on what you're into, so I'll start at the top
Bay of Islands, a fantastic tourist place, lots to see and do, nice beaches, bush, history, sea tours (swim with dolphins etc)
Auckland, infamous western beaches plus general big city normalities,
Coromandel Peninsular, another awesome area, lots of nice beaches (including Hot Water Beach where hot water naturally comes out of the sand), native bush, lots of treking/biking
Matamata, hobbition
Rotorua, Mt Biking!!! boiling mud, geysers, lots of tourist attractions , river rafting....heaps of stuff to do
Wiatomo Caves, about an hour south of Hamilton, massive cave system, run lots of different trips including black water rafting (tubing underground)
Taupo, lake, mountains, rivers, bungy jumping
Tongariro National Park, Mountians, treks

Really short list, If I had a week before hand I'd :
Go straight to Coromandel, spent a night in a bay up the top half (Waikawau) just relaxing out after the travel, then visit around with a night in either Whitianga or Whangamata, then to Rotorua for 2 nights doing some mt biking (on some of the best single track ever), tourist stuff like the mud pools etc, maybe some river rafting. Then to Tongariro National Park to do the Tongariro Crossing, (Rated as the best one day trek in New Zealand and listed by many in the top 10 day treks in the world), before final day in Taupo seeing the sights and getting ready for the carnival.

During the carnival, the Wed event is near Raglan, a famous surf beach, on Thurs I would go down to Waitomo Caves and go black water rafting. Final Sat is on the Kaipara Peninsular (famous orienteering playgound of Woodhill forest) which also has its own awesome mt bike park and is close to the western beaches, Muriwai, Bethells and Piha. If you day a few days after I would then head up to the Bay of Islands to finish off the tan.

If you need anything info etc maptalk.co.nz is the best place to seek/ask

Enrty form and more details will be up by the end of the week on
http://www.madeventz.co.nz/waitangi/

oh! you've made me wish i could afford to go Flyn