Places to visit around tutukaka

I am visiting new zealand this summer and plan to go scuba diving in poor knights on 28th dec. I land in auckland on 27th morning and drive that day to arrive by night at tutukaka. Any nice scenic routes and detours I can explore close by that will leave enough time to reach tutukaka by the night? Also plan to drive from tutukaka back to auckland on 29th, and have the whole day to myself so can also do a small detour on the way back. Im not a city/touristy person, prefer natural beauty and scenic places more than anything, so I’d wanna skip doing anything in auckland and try and see the beauty of north island instead. Any suggestions are welcome 🤗