Able Tasman
Hi
TBH you could spend your entire time up in the Tasman Bay and still have a great time (you might want to actually, you'll be in the Kiwi autumn/winter and the Able Tasman has the best weather in NZ)
The highlights have to be the Takaka Hill road between Tasman Bay and Golden Bay. Boat and kayak trips into the national park, as well as walking the coastal track are always good.
Kaiteriteri is probably your best bet for accommodation, there's a motor camp there, as well as a rather nice backpacker's hostel and if you're fed up of slumming it there's holiday cottages for rent that won't be too expensive in the off season. It offers the best access into the park as well (no roads!)
If you fancy some fish & chips go to the restaurant on the wharf at Mapua, they have the best in the southern hemisphere (it's right next to the nudist colony  ). Nelson is a really nice city too, be sure to stop by Pingu's ice cream parlour, being there takes me back to my childhood.
Enjoy yourself
Jim
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