Small Towns & Cities

Stretching from Cape Reinga and North Cape, the two most northerly points of New Zealand, the bay is steeped in Maori legend.

This sweeping curve of a beach runs up the west coast from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga, although it is not actually 90 miles long (who’s measuring?). Great fun to sledge down the sand dunes here. Take your swimming togs.

A good place to learn about not only Maori but Dalmatian culture as both groups are still culturally active. The starting point for trips to Cape Reinga and the Ahipara gumfields.

Famous for the signing of the Maori/British treaty in 1840 today it is a national reserve. The largest war canoe in the world  is kept there. Visit the Maori meeting house and Treaty House to learn about the Treaty’s continuing significance.

Although it is a small seaside resort, Paihia is a bustling place and the centre of many of the ocean-going activities like dolphin watching, cruises, fishing and kayaking in the mangrove forest.

Just across the Bay from Paihia is Russell, a quieter, village. Visit the Duke of Marlborough Hotel, on the site of New Zealand’s first pub. Climb Flagstaff Hill for  the view and visit Russell Museum.

The place was so nice they named it twice! Just north of Paihia, Kerikeri is in the heart of orchard country. Lots of travellers stop here to fruit pick. “Keri” means dig and the very first NZ vines were planted here. See New Zealand’s oldest wooden and stone buildings.

This is the biggest city in Northland and home to the Clapham Clock Museum with 1300 timepieces. The Whangarei Falls are worth a photo and the harbour is definitely photogenic.

Take a side step to visit the limestone caves for black water rafting, a visit to the glow worms and a trip into the Lost World.

Ever dreamed of a hot bath during your travels? The Coromandel Peninsula has the answer to a weary backpackers’ wishes. Just dig a hole in the sand at Hot Water Beach, let it fill with water, stick a toe in to test the temperature, then enjoy!

Named by Captain Cook for it’s abundance of natural resources, the coastline here has great surf. Mt Maunganui is famous for it’s surf, and also offers wind surfing or wave sailing to get your adrenaline pumping. Try swimming with the dolphins in the warm coastal waters of this region.

Tauranga is recognised as both an adventure centre and a retreat to experience the best of natural New Zealand. With lakes, a large harbour, surf coast and offshore islands, all forms of water activities are available - sea kayaking rough coastlines or tranquil lakes in the forest, windsurfing, white water rafting - grade 5 rapids, river canoeing and water skiing.

Lake Taupo is New Zealand’s largest lake and an ideal water sport resort. On the lake you can fish, ski, kayak, canoe and para-sail. On local rivers try white-water rafting, jet boating of fly fishing. If your after some excitement in the air, there’s a bungy jump over the Waikato river or for the ultimate view take in  a tandem skydive.

Only 40 minutes from Taupo, the Turangi-Tongariro region is the natural centre of the North Island. Built on the banks of the wonderful Tongariro river, Turangi and it’s surrounding countryside offers challenging fishing, mountain biking, hiking and leisurely bush walks. It is the ideal base for excursions into the Tongariro National Park and Kaimanawa Forest Park as well as being only a 40 minute drive to the Whakapapa ski area on Mt Ruapehu.

Tongariro National Park offers opportunities galore in both summer and winter. From the grandeur of ancient forests to alpine herb fields and volcanic landscapes, the park also boasts numerous walking and climbing experiences. The Park is a world heritage area and is home to the internationally popular Tongariro Crossing, which traverses Mt Tongariro’s volcanic crater lakes, steaming vents and lava-strewn moon-scapes.

This is second largest city in Eastland and New Zealand’s most easterly. As it is so close to the International Date Line it is also the first to see the new day for most of the world, so  make sure you get up early and be the first to see the dawn from Nyati Poru peak.

Hawke Bay is the bay, while Hawke’s Bay is the region. Napier and Hastings are the two major cities.  The region  is famed for its fine wines, especially Chardonnays. As a mediterranean climate helps grapes ripen, more award-winning wines are made here. Boasting a wide range of activities the wine trail by bike comes highly recommended. There are around 17 wineries, from small family-run boutiques to large commercial operations. There are also gannets at Cape Kidnappers and action activities including paragliding, jet boats, whitewater rafting, caving, windsurfing, kayaking, water skiing, surfing and hot air ballooning. Both Napier and Hastings were flattened by an earthquake in 1931. Stunning architecture makes Napier the art-deco capital of the world. Hastings is renowned for its orchards, offering seasonal jobs for fruitpicking. Throughout the region you can eat all the fruit you want, bought from a roadside stall and as fresh as you’ll ever eat.

This is the name of the region and the volcanic mountain which dominates it. The mountain’s European name is Mt Egmont, which is also the name of the national park in which it sits. Skiing, tramping and mountain climbing are all excellent here, while the Park’s beaches have world-class surfing and windsurfing.

A good base for visiting the volcano (it forms a backdrop to the city) and exploring the National Park. Check out the curious transparent clocktower and  the Marsland Hill Observatory for some star spotting.

Wanganui is the name of the region, a river and the town. Add an “h” to the spelling of  the river and the National Park. The best way to get a feel for the area is to take to the river and sea kayak or jet boat. On the Whanganui River Road check out the Maori villages named after Jerusalem, Athens and London.

Famous for Massey University (New Zealand’s second biggest) and its farming, “Palmy”, as it is called , has the New Zealand Rugby Museum for  sports fans and a history museum, science centre and art gallery for those who couldn’t care less who scored which try.

A rich sheep and dairy farming region, the Manawatu is also something of a natural stunner with the Manawatu Gorge dividing the Ruahine and Taraua Ranges.

This coastline of white sand beaches stretches from Palmerston North to Wellington. The main villages are Paraparaumu and Paekakariki, although there are lots of smaller seaside villages dotted along the coast. Kapiti is known for its cheese, ice cream and chocolate. The Lindale Agricultural Centre and Nyco Chocolates are the places to go for tastings.

A protected wildlife reserve, access to  the island is  extremely limited. A boat trip is probably the easiest way to see it or diving in the marine reserve, which is unrestricted.

A whopping 3 million sheep live within a 16km radius of Masterton, the region’s principal town. It is therefore no surprise that the Golden Shears competition is held there annually in March. It is a test  of shearing skills, speed and finesse.

The Wairarapa’s wine capital, this town is certainly well  placed in the heart of the vineyards. Close to the town there are around 17 wineries, which have produced award winning Pinot Noire, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.

Thirty km north of Masterton, this is a sanctuary for native wildlife, mainly the feathered variety. See rare takahe (thought extinct until 1948), kiwis, and reptiles like the tuataras.