Auckland
Auckland, also known as "City of Sails" due to its vast marina's of yachts and boats is New Zealand's biggest city with a population of 1.4 million.
Auckland boasts 50 volcanoes, the largest polynesian population in the world, the tallest building in the southern hemisphere and is considered one of the best cities in the world to live.
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands are in the sub tropical North of NZ and are steeped in history and natural beauty. A great place for fishing, diving, swimming with dolphins and many other water based activities. The main towns include Paihia, Kerikeri, Russell and Waitangi where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between Maori and Great Britain in 1840.
Coromandel Peninsula
The Coromandel is beautifully rugged with lovely beaches, stunning scenery and lush native bush. Although sparsely populated most of the year, it is a very popular location for Kiwis and overseas visitors all summer.
The major coastal towns are Coromandel Township, Thames, Tairua, Whangamata, Waihi and Whitianga.
Gisborne
The Gisborne Region on the East Coast of the North Island has a dry, sunny climate. Gisborne City is the main population hub in the region and is famous for being the first place in the world to see the sun each day. It has fabulous beaches incuding Midway and Waikanae, and the amazing Lake Waikaremoana with its great trout fishing and other wilderness attractions.
Hamilton
Hamilton is the largest inland city in New Zealand and the forth biggest overall. It is built around the Waikato River in the Waikato Region of the North Island. Originally an agricultural service hub for the fertile farms of Waikato, it still maintains that role as well as being a modern, diverse city with a bustling inner city scene and large University populaion.
Hastings
The Hastings District in The Hawke's Bay Region of the North Island is often referred to as the Fruit Bowl of the country due to its many orchards and large horticultural industry. It is also famed for its many vineyards and the fine red wines produced there. Hastings enjoys long, hot summers and has a strong tourism sector which it shares with its sister city Napier.
Masterton
Masterton is both a Town and District in the Wellington Region of New Zealand. It is well known for its adventure tourism and sport including hot air ballooning, fishing, surfing and jet boating. There are a lot of nature tracks for trampers and walkers, plus the seal colony at Cape Palliser, the Putangirua Pinnacles, Mount Holdsworth and the Mount Bruce Conservation Centre.
Mount Ruapehu
Famous for its eruptions, natural beauty and skiing Mount Ruapehu is one of the world's most active volcanoes. Turoa and Whakapapa are the two main ski fields on the mountain. It is the biggest of three volcanoes in Tongariro National Park and forms a spectacular backdrop to the town of Taupo on a clear day.
Napier
Napier is in the fantastic wine growing area of Hawke's Bay and is known as the Art Deco Capital of the world after being almost completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1931. It was rebuilt mainly in the Art Deco style making it quite unique. Napier also has a deep water port busy with both container ships and massive cruise liners bringing touists from around the world.
New Plymouth
New Plymouth is the main city of the Taranaki Region and is on the West Coast of the North Island. New Plymouth is the main service centre for the regions economic mainstays of oil and gas exploration, dairy farming and tourism. Views of Mount Taranaki from the city can be breathtaking when covered in snow and the West Coast beaches are popular surfing spots.
Palmerston North
Palmerston North is the biggest city in the Manawatu Region of the North Island. It is an inland city located by the Manawatu River with a population of about 80,000. It is home to Massey University and other important learning and research institutions. At the heart of the city is The Square which is a large recreational park featuring gardens and lakes.
Rotorua
Nestled on the shores of Lake Rotorua with a population of around 60,000 Rotorua is a popular tourist destination and is home to geothermal activity like boiling mud, geysers and hot springs. Maori history and culture is also a distinctive and important aspect of the city. Rotorua is an inland city in the Bay of Plenty Region of the North Island.
Taupo
The inland town of Taupo is situated on the shores of New Zealand's biggest lake, Lake Taupo in the Waikato Region of the North Island. It is a top tourist destination, boasting world class trout fishing, breathtaking scenery and many outdoor activities like tramping, boating and climbing. It has a population of around 20,000 and its main economic drivers are tourism and forestry.
Thames
Thames is the 'Gateway to the Coromandel' and is on the South West coast of the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula in the Waikato Region of the North Island. Thames started off as a gold mining town in the 1860's and in the late 1800'was the biggest population centre in all of New Zealand. Now the economy is centered more around tourism and farming.
Tauranga
One of the fastest growing cities in New Zealand, the costal and port city of Tauranga is another popular tourist destination and many migrants have also settled here. Tauranga is also a very popular place to retire. From the beautiful beaches of Mount Maunganui to the rich horticultrual land spanning out to Te Puke Tauranga is known for its climate and lifestyle.
Waiheke Island
Part of Auckland Super City, Waiheke Island is close enough to the action of Downtown Auckland to commute by ferry each day but far away enough from the hustle and bustle to be another world in itself. Waiheke has some of the nicest beaches anywhere and is home to fantastic vineyards as well as native bush and wildlife and even has its own warm, dry micro-climate.
Waitomo
The District of Waitomo is in the south of the Waikato Region in the North Island is home to the famous Waitomo Caves, one of the best known natural wonders in New Zealand. At around two million years old, these ancient limestone formations attract around 400,000 visitors every year who come to see the glowworms as well as stalactite and stalagmite formations.
Wanganui
Wanganui or Whanganui, is situated close to the mouth of the awesome Wanganui River which originates from high up on Mount Tongariro. Wanganui district has a population of around 50,00, and a particularly temperate climate. Farming benefits from the fertile lands around the actual city and river, while tourism is also important to the economy of Wanganui.
Wellington
Wellington City is the Capital of New Zealand and situated at the southern tip of the North Island. Although it gets a bit windy at times, it is a vibrant and cultured city, highly ranked worldwide as a tourist destination as well as for its own high living standards. Both the CBD and residential suburbs are nestled in the hills around Wellington Harbour.
Whakatane
Whakatane is a District as well as a Town in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. The town is situated by the Whakatane River Mouth where many boats are moored and many more are launched to sea to enjoy the great fishing and other sea activities in the area. Its economy is a diverse mix of forestry, paper production, farming, fishing, horticulture and touism.
Whangarei
The Whangarei District is in the Northland Region of the North island. Well known for its many pristine beaches, harbours and islands, its a sub tropical wonderland for diving, boating and other sea activities. The City of Whangarei is New Zealand's northernmost with its own fantastic harbour. Ecomnomic strengths are in boat building, forestry, agriculture & tourism.
Blenheim
Blenheim is the biggest town in the Marlborough Region of the South Island with a population of around 30,000. Blenheim itself is surrounded by vineyards, world famous for their production of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Wine. The rural based economy is fairly diverse with a mix of animal & crop farming, fishing, mussel farming, grape growing and tourism.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island and second only to Auckland in New Zealand. It is the 'gateway' to the South Island thanks to its international airport and proximity to some of the best and most diverse sights & activities anywhere in the country, including ski resorts, whale watching, wineries, bungy and other adventure activities.
Dunedin
Dunedin is nestled around the beautiful Otago Harbour, which along with the surrounding hills is what's left of an extinct volcano. It is the largest city and main hub in the Otago Region. Otago University was New Zealand's first and around 1900 Dunedin itself was the nations biggest city. Dunedin is steeped in history and culture.
Fiordland
In the far south of the west of the South Island, Fiordland is one of the natural wonders of New Zealand and the World. It has World Heritage status to back this up with a string of amazing destinations including Lake Te Anau, Lake Manapouri, Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound, Mitre Peak, Fiordland & Mount Aspiring National Parks and the famous Milford Track.
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost city in New Zealand with a population of around 50,000. It is the ecomomic hub of the Southland region. Surrounded by sea to the south and the fertile farmlands of the Southland plains everywhere else, its not surprising that dairy farming and fishing are its main economic drivers.
Kaikoura
Kiakoura is a costal town about halfway between Picton & Christchurch on the South Island's east coast and is on the Tranz Coastal Pacific train route, one of the most scenic anywhere on earth. It is famous for its whale watching activities and also hosts seal colonies and roadside crayfish caravans.
Mount Cook
Mount Cook National Park is home to Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. The mountain forms part of the Southern Alps, an alpine fault caused by two cotinental plates pushing together. The National Park is one of four in the area that combine to make a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features many more mountians, glaciers and lakes.
Nelson
Nelson is both a District and City within the Nelson-Tasman Region in the north of the South Island. Fondly known as 'The sunshine capital of New Zealand' due to its long sunshine hours, the city and area have a lot to offer including world class fly fishing, white water activities, kite surfing, biking, wineries and three National Parks to boot.
Picton
Picton is a picturesque town of about 3,000 nestled at the head of Queen Charlotte Sound, part of the breathtaking Marlborough Sounds at the northwest tip of the South Island. It is the South Island port for the passenger & vehicle ferries that cross the Cook Straight between Picton & Wellington.
Queenstown
Queenstown is an all season tourist wonderland with amazing scenery and activities as diverse as skiing, bungy, swimming, rafting and sightseeing. The town itself is full of things to do and places to eat and stay. It is situated on the shore of the picturesque Lake Wakatipu with a dramatic mountain backdrop in the Otago Region of the South Island.
Stewart Island
Stewart Island is about 30km south of the South Island of New Zealand & has a population of about 400. Over 80% of the prestine forest and bush covered Island is Rakiura National Park. It is well known for its majestic sunsets and views of the Southern Lights and is a unique bird watching destination. The main economic drivers are tourism and fishing.
Wanaka
Wanaka is a fast growing resort town on the shore of Lake Wanaka in the Otago Region of the South Island. It is an adventurists dream location with adventure activities abound, including rafting, kayaking, lake fishing, hiking, biking, water skiing, sailing during the summer and of course snow skiing during the winter.
Westport
Westport is a town of around 5,000 people in the West Coast Region of the South Island. The town is situated at the mouth of the Buller River. In its earlier days, Westport's economy revolved around gold and coal mining but now its fishing, dairy farming, coal mining and tourism.
