[Velvetta]

Do we need one? do you think, DH has a tom-tom and we thought about adding NZ to it but it's about $100, so don't want to get it if it's unnecessary. We aren't navigating any cities except into and out of CC

Alternatively does anyone know of any free downloads for tom tom?

[Elippo]

You really won't need it. I had one (hired) when we went to the Sth Island on our honeymoon and we didn't get it out of the box once.

[Kay1]

We didn't use one and it was fine, very easy to get around as there is generally just one road in and out of each town.

[Velvetta]

Thanks, I've read that on some travel forums too. I just thought for finding specific places within towns - like Olveston House in Dunedin - it might be useful.

[sammyv]

My GPS has NZ loaded with Australia - so you might already have it on the Tom tom

[PrincessPeach]

We toured the North Island without a GPS - the company we hired the car through gave us the old school paper maps & they were fine for getting around, even in auckland.

Although we didn't have to refer to them very much, the signage over there is a lot better than here.

[countrychic29]

We have driven all over the North Island a couple of times and only ever had paper maps ... they were fine, it is quite easy to get around

[sir_mix-a-lot]

You'll be fine. There are loads of signs and paper maps abound for places. If you're really worried, then you could buy a street directory from a servo, but the free maps from tourist info centres (they're everywhere) should do the trick.
Around Christchurch it might have been useful, but I imagine there would be many changes to the roads since the earthquake damage, and I'm not sure how well the GPS would keep pace TBH.