North Island

The North Island has the majority of New Zealand's population, including the largest city (Auckland) and also the capital city (Wellington).

The North Island is fairly hilly, with small volcanic fields in Auckland and Northland, much larger and active volcanoes on the plateau in the centre, and the main mountain ranges along the east coast.

Roughly from north to south the regions are
Northland - rural, Maori culture, subtropical, early New Zealand history
Auckland metropolitan area - largest & most ethnically diverse city, Pacific Island culture, shopping, main gateway to New Zealand, city of sails and former home to the Americas Cup
Coromandel peninsula - bush and beach getaways
Waikato - intensive farming (dairy & horse)
Bay of Plenty - sunshine coast
Central plateau - geothermal activity and volcanoes, fishing, Maori culture, adventure activities
East coast - rural and remote (heartland New Zealand), surfing
Hawkes Bay - intensive farming, wine, art deco
Taranaki - provincial centre, surfing
Manawatu - farmland
Wairarapa - wine getaway, rural
Wellington - capital city, entertainment, the windy city


South Island

The South Island is more sparsely populated (especially on the west coast), with just one large city (Christchurch).

The South Island is mountainous with the Southern Alps running the length of the island and many lesser ranges parallel or branching off. Canterbury Plains in the middle of the east coast are the largest flat area in New Zealand. On the west coast, and also at Kaikoura in the east, the mountains reach up from the sea with little flat land.

Roughly from north to south the regions are
Nelson - provincial, sun belt, parks & hikes, arts & crafts
Marlborough - ferry to North Island, wine, whales
Christchurch metropolitan area - english city, extinct volcanoes
Canterbury - flat, agriculture, Mount Cook (highest peak)
West coast - rural, remote, rugged, bush, wet
Lakes district (Queenstown) - mountains & lakes, adventure capital
Dunedin metropolitan area - scottish heritage, scarfies (university students)
Southland - wilderness, rural


Stewart Island, Chatham Islands and other offshore islands

Overview