Where to go North Island?

The North Island is a huge volcano; the northern tip of which is subtropical with warm humid summers.  Lake Taupo is right in the middle and was formed when the volcano blew its top 27,000 years ago.  It’s as lovely as our own Lake Tahoe and people come from all over the world to fish for lunker Rainbow Trout here.  Continuing south is Mt Ngauruhoe, the fictional Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings, and on to Wellington at the southern tip.

• Northland: The treaty establishing the country was signed here at Waitangi just outside the seaside town of Paihia.  Its rolling hills covered with giant tree ferns and the massive Kauri trees, the biggest of which the Maori call Tane Mahuta; father of man and forest.  Further north is Cape Reinga, where the spirits of the dead are believed to enter the underworld.
• Auckland and surrounds: NZ’s largest city with over one fourth of their entire population, it looks a lot like our own Seattle and even has a space needle. The Coromandel and Waiheke Island are near here as well.
• Central North Island: Rotorua is the heart of Maori culture and known for the extensive thermal activity found here; the NZ version of Yellowstone.  It’s also the best place to experience a Hangi (Maori feast), and there are a lot of adventure activities in the area.
• Hawke’s Bay: Location of Napier, the art deco capital of the world, and a premiere food and wine region.
• Wellington/Wairarapa:  “Welly” is the nation’s capital and most cosmopolitan city in NZ, with the best dining and shopping and the Wairarapa wine region is nearby. It’s also a great jumping off spot for the South Island, as the Wellington to Picton ferry departs from here, which is the best way to arrive there.