[Ginabridget]

I'm probably a bit late to reply too, but I'm biased towards Auckland, not the city itself but the surrounding areas, it would offer everything and more for the things you want out of the area you want to live your life. Amazing surfing at Piha and Raglan (a bit further south, but still do-able) and north at Managawhai. Saying that Wellington has an amazing coast surrounding it which will offer everything you need too. Mt Ruapehu is definitely the place to ski in the NI which is probably equal distances from Wellington and Auckland (bit of a guess, probably wrong about the distances). Loads of horse trekking and national park type areas all over the place.

As far as living in Wellington for access to the SI, I've found the inter-island ferry incredibly expensive with a car and family, I would probably choose to live a bit further north where there's less frost in winter (I don't do cold very well) and fly to whichever bit of the SI I wanted to see.

I'm a Northland girl at heart so am biased towards the 'winterless north' but wouldn't actually like to live in Auckland itself cos I'm more of a country-bumpkin.

I'm sure that where-ever you end up you'll have a fantastic adventure, I agree with Muffin Mum, once you've spent a couple of years in one place you'll know if it's for you, and you can always move again and have another advenutre.

Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Gina