Before we get into it, here are a few facts about the island itself that you may find useful to know:
Road rules:
Most of the signs you will see on New Zealand roads are international symbolic signs. This means they use the same shapes and symbols as traffic signs all over the world.
Keep LEFT! We drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Overtake other vehicles only when it’s safe to do so. Use passing lanes whenever possible, and never cross a solid yellow line on your side of the centre line.
Lane splitting (filtering) is legal if executed safely.

Driver's licences
You can legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have a current driver’s licence. If the licence is not in English, you must carry an accurate English translation.

International driving permits
You can also legally drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months if you have an International Driving Permit (IDP) that is issued in English or translated into English, provided that you also carry the current driver licence that the permit is based on.
In New Zealand all drivers, including visitors from other countries, must carry their licence or permit at all times when driving. You will only be able to drive the same types of vehicles you are licensed to drive in your home country.
It is important to note that if you are caught driving without an acceptable English translation or an IDP, you may be prosecuted for driving unlicensed or for driving without an appropriate licence.

NZ Facts:
It was discovered in 2009 that both of the islands that make up New Zealand did not officially have names. After public consultation in October 2013, the Island was named Te Ika-a-Maui which means “The Fish of Maui” in Maori.
The climate in the North Island can vary depending on where you are situated. The very north of the island has a subtropical climate, whereas the middle of the island is a volcanic landscape full of forests, volcanic peaks and lakes.
Despite Te Ika-a-Maui (North Island) being the smaller of the two islands, it is much more populous than the South Island and has a population of around 3.7 million.
Nine local government regions cover the North Island and all its adjacent islands and territorial waters. Today's route takes you from the city of Auckland in the Auckland region and then into the Northland region.
The Northland region extends north to the tip of the Northland Peninsula, covering an area of 13,940 km2, a little over five per cent of the country's total area. It is bound to the west by the Tasman Sea, and to the east by the Pacific Ocean. The land is predominantly rolling hill country. Farming and forestry occupy over half of the land, and are two of the region's main industries.

The first 40 minutes or so of the route navigates you away from the urban sprawl of Auckland and then runs parallel with the Auckland Northern Motorway without using it. You cross over the motorway and start to see the rolling hills and rich pastures with cattle and sheep grazing as you head into the countryside. The first section of gravel road is reached at 40 kms. The gravel is compacted and is quite easy to ride-on even for a novice, it's only 3.2 kms in length and will give you the confidence for further gravel roads.
You'll join the Hibiscus Coast Highway and then the Twin Coast Highway to Warkworth where I have suggested a lunch stop. The extension to the Northern Motorway is due to be completed at the end of 2021 which should take a lot of the traffic of of the Twin Coast Hwy.
After lunch, you will head back towards the South Pacific coast and at RP 26 you can stop at Big Omaha Wharf. The sheltered waters was once the home of wooden sailing-ship builders and a drop of point for mail from steamships.
At RP 28 you can have a great view of Goat Island situated in the Leigh Marine Reserve. Goat Island is named after the goats released by early European seafarers, to provide food for those who became marooned.
A couple more short sections of gravel road before you visit Te Arai Point. It's an area well known by surfers for consistent and safe conditions and it's an utterly gorgeous spot with it's pristine white sandy beach. Looking north, you’ll see the unmistakable outline of Taranga Island, part of the Hen and Chicken Islands as well as Bream Head. From Te Arai Point, the beach stretches north for almost 10 km to the mouth of the Mangawhai Estuary.
One more short section of gravel through the beautiful countryside takes you to the border between Auckland and Northland regions.
You will cross over the Mangawhai Harbour (estuary) and enjoy a nice twisty section of road that climbs and then descends to the end of day 1 at Waipu Cove. A little further on is Waipu, a friendly town with an intriguing history, strong Scottish heritage and spectacular natural surroundings. The beachside cafe is an idyllic spot for breakfast, lunch, or an open-air dinner among the fairy lights.
I have included some useful links below for Te Waipounamu Motorcycle Tours Ltd and some different types of accommodation at Waipu Cove.