North Island

The North Island of New Zealand serves as the gateway to this picturesque and exciting country and is home to the capital city of Wellington. This is a destination to be considered from every perspective: The magnificent Waitemata Harbour that surrounds Auckland, to the charming harbor-side towns sprinkled throughout the waterways of the Bay of Islands and the Bay of Plenty. From deep in the famed glowworm caves near Coromandel to the bubbling sulfuric mud baths of Rotorua.

The landscape of the North Island ranges from lush rainforests beckoning those eager to trek, to the marinas of charming coastal hamlets and holds something in store for every traveler, regardless of personal interest. There is a rich history and heritage to be discovered such as the arrival of the first Maori canoes and the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. There is also abundant wildlife waiting to be explored, including the rare kiwi and white heron, seal and penguin colonies and a unique variety of fauna. For wine enthusiasts, the North Island has no shortage of award-winning wineries to visit, including those producing the distinctive Pinot Noirs of the Martinborough wine region, or the world-class Cabernets and Merlots of Hawke’s Bay.