JenJen,
U must seen the wrong persons liao. I was with my hubby at Junction 8 on Saturday. Our NZ tour also on budget tour, we stay in Motel but I like it very much. One of our motel got spa pool inside our room and we only paid NZ$85, very worth it. I really like their motel with full kitchen facility even we didn't cook, the most is instant noodle. Our meals mostly settled in their restaurant, almost everyday steak and sometime we take chinese food too.
I think all in all, including air ticket, car rental, petrol, meals, accomodation, gifts etc, we spent abt $7K for our 17 days tours. We even drive to cape reiga, the northern point of north island, the view there is wonderful. So sad, we didn't make it to go to Golden Bay, the southern part of south island becos of the major accident happen on their highway, so we turn back and proceed to our next destination.
What abt you? How much u spent total including yr ticket, accomodation etc.