have done all of those roads. dont bother going around the point, its not worthwhile, just follow the river.
if you are able to add another day, do the gentle annie road back to Taihape and go north from there, turn left at Waiouru, prehaps stay a night in Ohakune, and then go up thru Taumaranui, turn left again at Otorohanga and follow the road thru to Ngaruawahia and up to your home.