If your making the long trip from the USA or Europe etc to New Zealand and plan to stay awhile in Auckland then you could do no worse than to take a day trip to the Magic Matakana Coast. One of the top things to do is to visit Scuptereum (website http://scuptureum.nz ) 

Trip Advisor rates it highly.

If your looking for long term stays then also checkout The Guest Home : https://www.facebook.com/theguesthomenz2005/

Or better still check the other activities in the area on  http://www.matakanacoast.co.nz/listings/piece-gallery