Heh mate, I'm from Tauranga. There are spots to kite there in pretty much all conditions. If the wind is from the south there is a flat water spot called Ferguson Park. If you get a northerly head to Mount Maunganui for a surf session. Whakatane is pretty much the same as Mount Maunganui but between Whakatane and the Mount is a place called Maketu, if its blowing that place gets real good.

I hear Taupo can be ok but everytime I have tried to kite it the wind has been pretty gusty and crap.

If you go the west coast definately cheack out Raglan. That place gets sick, you will see all the kites just south of the main beach in the river mouth. Be warned though if you kite there on an out going tide and you lose ya board, it's gone! The current is super fast.

Have fun, there are plenty of options for ya!