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New Zealand North Island Trip

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From Auckland in the north to Wellington in the south, explore the North Island from top to bottom with stops in Paihia to see the Bay of Islands, Rotorua to see the geysers, the rocky shores of Wellington, and the gorgeous resorts of Taupo.

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About Auckland

Auckland in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country. Auckland has a population of 1,454,300 - 32 percent of New Zealand's population. It is part of the wider Auckland Region, which includes the rural areas and towns north and south of the urban area, plus the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, resulting in a total population of 1,570,500 that is governed by the Auckland Council. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. In Maori, Auckland's name is Tamaki Makaurau and the adaptation of Auckland, to suit Maori phonetic rules, is Akarana.

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Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

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About Paihia

Paihia is the main tourist town in the Bay of Islands in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand. It is located close to the historic towns of Russell and Kerikeri, 60 kilometres north of Whangarei. Missionary Henry Williams named the mission station Marsden's Vale and eventually the Paihia became the accepted name of the settlement. Nearby to the north is the historic settlement of Waitangi, and the residential and commercial area of Haruru Falls is to the west. The port and township of Opua, and the small settlement of Te Haumi, lie to the south. The population of Paihia was 1770 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 69 from 2001.

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Paihia

Bay of Islands, New Zealand

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About Rotorua

Rotorua, ("The second great lake of Kahumatamomoe") is a city on the southern shores of the lake of the same name, in the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand's North Island. Rotorua is a major destination for both domestic and international tourists; the tourism industry is by far the largest industry in the district. It is known for its geothermal activity, and features geysers – notably the Pohutu Geyser at Whakarewarewa – and hot mud pools. This thermal activity is sourced to the Rotorua caldera, on which the town lies. Rotorua is home to the Waiariki Institute of Technology. The Lakes of Rotorua are a collection of many lakes surrounding Rotorua.

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Rotorua

Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

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About Napier

Napier is a popular tourist city, with a unique concentration of 1930s Art Deco architecture, built after much of the city was razed in the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake. It also has one of the most photographed tourist attractions in the country, a statue on Marine Parade called Pania of the Reef. Thousands of people flock to Napier every February for the Tremains Art Deco Weekend event, a celebration of its Art Deco heritage and history. Other notable tourist events attracting many outsiders to the region annually include F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic events, and the Mission Estate Concert at Mission Estate and Winery in the suburb of Taradale.

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Napier

Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

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About Wellington

Wellington is the capital city and second most populous urban area of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, and is the world's southernmost capital city of a sovereign state. Wellington is marketed as the 'coolest little capital in the world' and its popular tourist attractions include Museum of Wellington Museum, Wellington Zoo, Zealandia and Wellington Cable Car. Cruise tourism is experiencing a major boom in line with nationwide development. Cafe culture is prominent and restaurants offer cuisines including from Europe, Asia and Polynesia.

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Wellington

Wellington, New Zealand

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About Taupo

Taupo is a tourist center, particularly in the summer, as it offers panoramic views over the lake and to the volcanic mountains of Tongariro National Park to the south. It offers a number of tourist activities including sky diving, jet boating and paragliding. Taupo services a number of surrounding plantation pine forests including Kaingaroa Forest, the largest man-made forest in the world, and related industry. A large sawmill is sited approximated 3 km to the north east of the town on Centennial Drive. The Wairakei geothermal power station is a few kilometres north of the town.

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Taupo

Waikato, New Zealand

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About Auckland

Auckland in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country. Auckland has a population of 1,454,300 - 32 percent of New Zealand's population. It is part of the wider Auckland Region, which includes the rural areas and towns north and south of the urban area, plus the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, resulting in a total population of 1,570,500 that is governed by the Auckland Council. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. In Maori, Auckland's name is Tamaki Makaurau and the adaptation of Auckland, to suit Maori phonetic rules, is Akarana.

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Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

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Jan 5th 2025, 7:00PM

Billie Marten

Combining smooth melodies and honest lyrics, Billie Marten's extensive catalog of songs easily weave a narrative that has captivated audiences worldwide. Her BRIT Awards-nominated debut album, Writing of Blues and Yellows, solidified her place as one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters in the folk music scene.

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New Zealand North Island Trip
N
City name
Date
Nights
1.
Auckland, New Zealand
2 nights

En-route: Attaractions on the way.

1.1
Waiheke Island
1.2
Rainbow's End Theme Park
1.3
Waipoua Forest
1.4
Ayrlies Garden
1.5
Castle Rock (Waikato)
1.6
Waiau Falls and Kauri Grove Lookout Walk
1.7
New Chum's Beach
1.8
Russell
1.9
The Waterworks
1.10
Rapaura Watergardens
2.
Paihia, New Zealand
2 nights

En-route: Attaractions on the way.

2.1
Hot Water Beach
2.2
Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve
2.3
Te Whanganui-A-Hei (Cathedral Cove) Marine Reserve
2.4
Poor Knights Island Marine Reserve
2.5
Waitakere Ranges
2.6
Waitakaruru Arboretum
2.7
Te Henga (Bethells Beach)
2.8
Okere Falls
2.9
Lake Karapiro
2.10
Taitua Arboretum
3.
Rotorua, New Zealand
2 nights

En-route: Attaractions on the way.

3.1
Te Mata Peak
3.2
Cape Kidnappers
3.3
Tongariro National Park
3.4
Whakapapa Ski Field
3.5
Turangi
3.6
Mount Ruapehu
3.7
Mount Ngauruhoe
3.8
Rere Rock Slide
3.9
Tawhai Falls (Gollum's Pool)
3.10
Hastings
4.
Napier, New Zealand
1 nights

En-route: Attaractions on the way.

4.1
Putangirua Pinnacles
4.2
Tongariro National Park
4.3
Mount Ruapehu
4.4
Whakapapa Ski Field
4.5
Bason Botanic Gardens
4.6
Tawhai Falls (Gollum's Pool)
4.7
Mount Ngauruhoe
4.8
Cape Palliser Lighthouse
4.9
Turangi
4.10
Whanganui
5.
Wellington, New Zealand
2 nights

En-route: Attaractions on the way.

5.1
Tongariro National Park
5.2
Mount Ruapehu
5.3
Whakapapa Ski Field
5.4
Staglands Wildlife Reserve
5.5
Tawhai Falls (Gollum's Pool)
5.6
Mount Ngauruhoe
5.7
Matiu-Somes Island
5.8
Huka Falls
5.9
Wrights Hill Fortress
5.10
Craters of the Moon
6.
Taupo, New Zealand
1 nights

En-route: Attaractions on the way.

6.1
Hobbiton Movie Set
6.2
Waitakaruru Arboretum
6.3
Huka Falls
6.4
Taitua Arboretum
6.5
Karangahake Gorge
6.6
Rainbow's End Theme Park
6.7
Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park
6.8
Lake Karapiro
6.9
Tree Church
6.10
Wairakei Natural Thermal Valley
7.
Auckland, New Zealand
1 nights