Spent a couple of weeks on the South Island back in November. We had planned to do the Gillespie Pass Circuit but that was cancelled thanks to some spring snow and swollen rivers.
Instead we did a couple of overnighters that I would recommend to anyone looking for a taste of tramping in NZ.
Information on these walks can be found here.
Green Lake Hut https://bogholesandbuckethats.com/2017/11/20/green-lake-hut/
French Ridge Hut https://bogholesandbuckethats.com/2017/11/17/french-ridge-hut/
Cheers