I like Wellington, it's nice. But after going to China, I have to say that I love Christchurch.
ModernRonin, if you are an outdoors person you need to move to the South Island. Christchurch is simply great, because you're an hour (or less in some parts) away from the mountains. It's two and a bit hours to the West Coast, which has to be some of the most amazing bush in the world. Further south is the Fjordlands, which I've heard are fantastic.
Christchurch itself is quite a conservative, traditional city but it's not that bad. It's got quite an underground movement if you're into that sort of thing, and the stuff you can find there is really interesting. It's probably not as interesting as Wellington, but Christchurch is cheaper and it's nice and relaxed and comfortable. Not to mention you can live in the country (as I do - go Prebbleton xD) and be twenty minutes drive from the very centre of the city.
I don't like Lyttleton because it's too far away from town for my liking. However to visit it's really cool, as it's got good walking, biking, swimming, exploring and isn't too far away from the city for many people. Banks Peninsula as a whole is really fascinating. Little River is another good place to live. It's 30 mins from the city, absolutely gorgeous and very close to good beaches, as well as being on the way to Akaroa.
I'm with you on patriotism, Fenriswolf. I'm not politically patriotic, but NZ is a great place to live and Kiwis are really cool (I'm a Kiwi born and bred). And the more I think about the countryside of NZ and the relaxed attitude we've got to most things, the more I like it.
-will love NZ forever-