Hey Duncan
I lived in Auckland for a couple of months. You ll rarely/never find someone turning up at Bryces - unless you want to hire Bryces for a days guiding/belaying. Wharepapa s good for a visit or 2, the dam about 30 mins away is better. Whanganui Bay is fantastic, as is Kawa Kawa. A bit further down and there s some great crags at Mt Ruapehu and some good mountaineering. Just north of Auckland is Ti Point - a nice, smallish sea cliff and of course the quarry in auckland is well worth a visit. You re more likely to bump into someone here on a summers evening than down at Bryce s.
My old climbing partner still lives in Auckland, usually lookign to get out so I ll put you in touch if you want.
Mick