North Island Attractions

by John Phillips

North Island: 5 Un-miss-able New Zealand Attractions

The North Island of New Zealand is the most built-up area of the country, featuring our two largest cities: Auckland (1.5 million) and Wellington (400,000). It’s a great place to visit with lots of interesting places to see. Here are five of my favourite spots to visit.

Wellington

A vibrant city with an artistic soul, Wellington will capture your heart like no other city. Filled to the brim with theatre, street performance and live music, Wellington is a city for urbanites and adventurous souls. Spend your days enjoying shows, visiting art galleries and indulging in some of New Zealand’s finest restaurants and cafes. Top of my list are Te Papa (NZ’s national museum), The Museum of Wellington City and Sea, The Artrium Gallery and shows at the Michael Fowler Centre, Shed 6 or the St. James Theatre.

Auckland

Nicknamed The City of Sails because of its water-loving population, Auckland seems a world away from the rest of the country. Aucklanders are a different breed, and even have their own nickname – JAFA (Just Another Fabulous Aucklander). The city is a great place to spend a few days – shop up a storm in Newmarket, enjoy the café lifestyle in Ponsonby, and visit the famous Matakana markets. Don’t forget to spend a day out on the water.

Hawke’s Bay

Dubbed “Hawke’s Bay Wine Country” this eastern bay is one of the often-overlooked gems of the country. An area of lush vineyards and productive farmland, you’ll find the Hawke’s Bay a food-lover’s paradise: restaurants and markets brimming with local produce, and local wines among the best in the world. The jewel of the Bay is Napier, the “art deco city” with its beautiful period architecture and laid-back style.

Rotorua

The perfect location for family fun and adventure, Rotorua boasts some of the most impressive attractions in New Zealand. Explore the natural geysers and areas of thermal activity.

The Coromandel

Relax by the beach and enjoy one of New Zealand’s favourite holiday destinations. The Coromandel area is famous for its fascinating mining history, pristine beaches and lush forests you can explore. Rent a house for a few days and relax in one of the North Island’s most beautiful areas.

Where will you go in the North Island of New Zealand?

Cultural Attractions In New Zealand

by John Phillips

Cultural Attractions In New Zealand

New Zealand is known internationally for stunning natural landscapes, but we’ve also a centre for arts and culture. Here are some of the top cultural attractions in New Zealand:

Te Papa Museum

Located on the waterfront in Wellington, Te Papa is a purpose-built museum housing permanent and changing collections about different aspects of New Zealand’s history. Everything from our natural history and wildlife through to cultural studies, Maori artefacts and art and science are covered, with travelling exhibitions from all over the world attracting a steady stream of visitors.

Marae Visit

For an authentic cultural experience, visit a marae to learn about the traditional culture of the Maori people. Take part in a welcoming ceremony on the marae, witness a performance of the Haka (a Maori war dance) and enjoy a delicious hangi (a meal cooked in the earth). Marae visits can be organised in most areas of the country through the local tourist centre.

Farm stay

Around half the population of New Zealand has something to do with the farming industry, and our rural heritage is an important part of our cultural identity. Experience life on a farm with an authentic farm stay: get up early to feed the animals, have a swim in the farm creek and watch the sunset over uninterrupted vistas. Farm stays are wonderful educational holidays for the kids and can also be a unique romantic weekend away.

Auckland Art Gallery

Home of the visual arts in New Zealand, the Auckland Art Gallery has recently been refurbished to a stunning international standard. The complex houses more than 15,000 artworks from New Zealand and around the world, and a changing exhibition programme ensures there’s always something new to see. Soak up the culture in the heart of Auckland, and finish your day at one of the fantastic cafes or restaurants just around the corner.

Civic Theatre, Auckland

Originally built as a cinema for Auckland, the Civic Theatre is one of the city’s top cultural centres. Built in a Rococo design, the theatre bankrupted its original owner, and was reopened in 1999 after extensive restoration work. Now the Civic hosts a yearlong program of music, theatre, cinema, comedy and lectures, and remains one of New Zealand’s most iconic architectural statements.

With so many different cultural events to choose from, you will be spoilt for choice when visiting New Zealand. Whatever your interest, there are museums, centres, galleries, theatres, and cultural experiences for you to enjoy.

What New Zealand attractions are you going to visit first?