Just thought I would update this thread after the trip. The Vodafone 3G mobile broadband internet worked just fine in the tiny neighborhood of Motuoapa located about 45-60 minutes away from the town of Taupo. Mangakino - We never got around to visiting it. Motuoapa was a better balance of quiet seclusion, price and proximity to Lake Taupo and the towns of Turangi and Taupo. Taupo - Really nice city with friendly people and very safe feeling. The Woolworth's supermarket was our favorite compared to Pak N' Save (low end). Turangi - Closest supermarket/town to our rental house in Motuoapa. We preferred driving the 45 minutes to Taupo for shopping and dining. Car - We bought a 1994 Toyota Carina ED sedan for $2,700 NZD and sold it for $2,200 NZD. So it ended up being like a $5 USD a day rental car for us..

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