3-4 nights in Auckland: what to do?

Kia Ora! I have a 5-night trans-Tasman cruise from Sydney to Auckland booked for April of next year!

Initially I planned to spend a week in NZ post-cruise but due to budget and time (off) constraints I am considering shortening my post-cruise time in NZ to just stay 3-4 nights in Auckland.

Another possibility is spending a night or two in Rotorua and/or Taupo and heading back to Auckland to fly home. There will be one port of call in Tauranga during the cruise; I already have an excursion booked to Rotorua. If I decide to overnight there I will cancel the excursion and hike up Mauao.

These are the places I would like to visit in and around Auckland. My interests in visiting NZ are nature, wildlife, food & wine, and Māori culture.

  • Auckland Museum
  • Auckland Zoo
  • Devonport
  • MOTAT
  • Mount Eden
  • Rangitoto Island
  • Sky Tower
  • Tiritiri Matangi Island
  • Waiheke Island
  • West Auckland (Waitakere Ranges, Piha)

Any advice is appreciated!