New Zealand - North Island
by Lori Tenny
 Most
of New Zealand’s 3.6 million people reside on the mellow
green North Island, the region that also has the strongest
Maori presence.
Auckland, the largest urban area in the country, packs a
wallop of cosmopolitan flavour, cultural appeal, scenic beauty
and outdoor lures. Sparkling harbours, 60 volcanoes (no worries,
the last one erupted 200 years ago), two mountain ranges,
dozens of offshore islands and thousands of hectares of green
space coexist with art galleries, museums, performing arts,
cafes, trendy restaurants, a healthy nightlife scene, Victorian
architecture, great shopping, and a rich Maori, Polynesian,
Asian and European presence.
The inviting Auckland waterfront has witnessed a huge revival
in the past decade thanks to Auckland’s international
yachting events. Thousands of boats ply the waters during
the summer months, hence the sobriquet: City of Sails.
 Aside
from cafes, restaurants and bars, there are yachts and sailboats
galore — a perfect opportunity to hitch a ride or book
a dinner sail. Or even paddle a kayak around the harbour and
check out the skyline.
The best view is from atop the 328-metre-high Sky Tower entertainment
complex. Visit the casino if you’re feeling lucky and
stay for dinner with a view at the revolving Orbit restaurant.
Head to Auckland Museum for a superb overview of Maori culture
and traditional dance performances, Auckland Art Gallery for
a dose of New Zealand, Pacific and British works, the surrounding
mountains for tramping, and Waiheke Island for striking beaches
and award-winning red wines.
Northland, a region at the top of the island, is readily
explored via the Twin Coast Discovery Highway, which begins
and ends in Auckland. The drive reveals one treasure after
another: the Bay of Islands, a gorgeous azure seascape of
tranquil isles; Whangarei, a pleasant city with pristine beaches
nearby; Ninety-Mile Beach (the name says it all); Waipoua
Kauri Forest, brimming with flora and fauna; and Hokianga
and Kaipara, two historic harbours.
 Kayaking,
sailing, swimming with dolphins, scuba diving and game-fishing
are all popular aquatic diversions in these transparent waters,
though you might be equally at home simply kicking back on
a peaceful blonde beach between dips.
On land, explore waterfalls and ancient forests on bush
tracks, visit wineries, and take in the native culture while
you're at it, as this area has a large concentration of Maori.
Southeast of Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula provides a
more rugged coastal experience, and farther south, Rotorua
is a hit-list spectacle for every visitor.
Known as Sulphur City, it could also pass for Surreal City;
sitting atop a violent volcanic zone, its steamy, spurting
geysers, bubbling, boiling mud and geothermal pools are nothing
short of geologic oddities. This is perhaps the best place
to get to know the Maori culture. Albeit touristy, the local
Maoris stage concerts and dances, and whip up the traditional
hangi meal, baked in an earth oven.
 With
Rotorua’s surrounding untamed landscape of gorgeous green
forests, volcanoes and crater lakes burgeoning with huge rainbow
trout, you can take your pick of simply standing in awe of
the earth’s forces, stepping into a mineral pool, standing
on the lip of a volcano, fishing or kayaking on the lakes,
and tramping or mountain biking through the forests.
The east coast south of Rotorua, often overlooked by tourists,
is well worth a side trip for the vibrant seaside city of
Napier, an outdoor museum of Art Deco architecture constructed
after the earthquake and fire of 1931.
The area also features several picturesque towns along Hawkes
Bay, remote beaches, and numerous wineries producing excellent
sauvignon blanc and chardonnay.
The country’s capital of Wellington, located on the
southern tip of the island, serves up another shot of sophisticated
New Zealand in a quirky harbour town atmosphere. This city
begins with a lovely harbour and climbs up verdant hillsides
in an array of timber houses, some of which cling impossibly
to the steep slopes. More than 150 private cable cars dot
the hillsides to transport residents between street level
and their homes, though your best bet is to take the public
cable car up the hills and zigzag your way down by foot through
the inviting neighbourhoods and gardens.
 The
city is stocked with flavour, from the historic architecture
of the homes and government buildings to cafes and smart restaurants
to trendy shops and a good nightlife scene.
There are also dozens of performing arts options, including
opera, ballet, symphony and theatre. The latest leading attraction
is the national Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, a cutting-edge,
waterfront facility that chronicles the land, people and culture
of New Zealand with interactive flair.
Finish off the North Island with an easy excursion to Wairarapa,
a scenic rural area packed with relaxing diversions: the upscale
boutique wineries and creative cuisine of Martinborough; the
Mt. Bruce Wildlife Center, where you can see the national
Kiwi bird foraging for food; forest areas beckoning bush walkers;
and a beautiful, rugged coastline.
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