Chef foraging for ‘bush asparagus’ on a Maori food excursion.

Pete Seaward

North Island

Packing in cosmopolitan cities, authentic opportunities to experience Māori culture, and the country’s bubbling volcanic heart, the North Island is an exceedingly versatile destination.

Attractions

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

  • One Tree Hill monument in Auckland, New Zealand.

    One Tree Hill

    Auckland

    Maungakiekie was the largest and most spiritually significant Māori pā (fortified village) prior to British arrival. At the top of this volcanic cone (at…

  • Cape Reinga Lighthouse at sunset.

    Cape Reinga

    The Far North

    This dramatic headland is where the waters of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet, swirling and breaking together into waves up to 10m high in stormy…

  • Huka Falls.

    Huka Falls

    Taupo

    The Waikato, New Zealand’s longest river, squeezes through a narrow chasm at Huka Falls, making the dramatic 11m drop into a surging crystal-blue…

  • Red carving of a Maori Warrior. 26083891 polynesian, cultural, waitangi, warrior, zealand, culture, carving, ground, tattoo, native, treaty, paint, maori, male, face, wood, luck, art, new, red

    Waitangi Treaty Grounds

    Bay of Islands

    Occupying a headland draped in lawns and bush, this is NZ's most significant historic site. Here, on 6 February 1840, after much discussion, the first 43…

  • The Te Matua Ngahere (Father of the Forest), a giant kauri (Agathis australis) coniferous tree in the Waipoua Forest. 861154632 Large Growth Nature Vertical Outdoors Rural Scene Hiking Natural Phenomenon Plant Public Park Footpath Green Color New Old Tropical Climate North National Landmark Bush Tree Uncultivated Tree Trunk Leaf Landscape - Scenery Island Woodland Forest Tall - High New Zealand North Island New Zealand Northland - New Zealand Māori Giant Males Females Photography Travel Kauri Tree Rainforest Waipoua Forest te matua ngahere

    Te Matua Ngahere

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    From the Kauri Walks car park, a 20-minute walk leads past the Four Sisters, a graceful stand of four tall trees fused together at the base, to Te Matua…

  • The T?ne Mahuta (Lord of the Forest), a giant kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest of Northland Region. The Tāne Mahuta (Lord of the Forest), a giant kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest of Northland Region. 838457824 Nature Horizontal Famous Place New Zealand North Island New Zealand Northland - New Zealand Color Image Photography Tourism Kauri Tree Hokianga Harbour Waipoua Forest Tāne Mahuta

    Tāne Mahuta

    Bay of Islands & Northland

    Near the north end of the park, not far from the road, stands mighty Tāne Mahuta, named for the Māori forest god. At 51.5m, with a 13.8m girth and wood…

  • Pohutu Geyser in Te Puia, Rotorua, New Zealand.

    Te Puia

    Rotorua

    Te Puia dials up the heat on Māoritanga (things Māori) with explosive performances from both its cultural troupe and Pōhutu (Big Splash), its famous…

  • Aerial of the Mount Eden volcano in Auckland, New Zealand.

    Mt Eden

    Kingsland & Mt Eden

    From the top of Auckland’s highest volcanic cone (196m), the entire isthmus and both harbours are laid bare. The symmetrical crater (50m deep) is known as…

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Articles

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Wildlife & Nature

Hikers face heavy fines for entering New Zealand's quarantined forests

Jan 23, 2020 • 3 min read

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