6 days in the saddle

Hello everybody,
I’m planning a trip from Masterton to Wellington to Auckland
on state highway 1 then back down to Masterton on state highway 2.
Mixture of camping and motels. I’m allowing six days.

I’d like to do the west side of lake Taupo. Has anybody got any tips
on that? Also any general stories or advice?

I can look things up on You tube but I’d rather hear it from my mates
on adventure riding. This will be the longest bike trip I’ve ever done.