Aaron,
You are obviously enamored with the North Island and the sub-tropical latitudes. Have you been south yet? You want beatuiful, uncrowded country?... try the South Island!

I too enjoyed Paihia, but I remember that it is one of the most popular holiday locales in NZ... that and the Coromandel. Keri Keri IS nice and it looks like a lot of things would grow around there. Do you remember how long a drive it is to Auckland?

I hope you get ot see more of NZ and that you let us know how you find other sections of the country.
cheers,
Tom