Auckland

Auckland's waterside location has fostered the locals' love affair with the sea, earning this place the nickname "City of Sails".

Auckland sprawls over a narrow isthmus between the sparkling waters of the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours. A cloak of rainforest covers the surrounding hills, dozens of dormant volcanic cones dot the landscape and enchanting holiday islands are scattered throughout the vast Hauraki Gulf. Two of the best island getaways are Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island

Auckland's heart beats to a Polynesian rhythm, its people a melting pot of European, South Pacific and Asian cultures and a strong indigenous Maori heritage. This diversity brings with it an abundance of unique dining and shopping experiences.

Auckland's temperate climate, easy access to the coast and variety of activities earn the city consistent top five rankings in international lifestyle surveys. Discover for yourself why it is one of New Zealand's best destinations.

New Zealand's indigenous people, the Maori, called this land "Tamaki Makau Rau", a maiden with 100 lovers. It was a place desired by many and fought over for its riches, including its forested hills, productive volcanic soils and harbours full of seafood.

The first sailors to settle here were the Maori, and in later years migrants from the Pacific Islands have contributed to the Polynesian population. You can take a walk through the city with a guide from the local iwi (tribe), visit the Auckland Museum, or wander through the weekend markets at Otara and Avondale for the flavours, sounds and sights of the South Pacific. In the city centre, Auckland has seen an explosion of ethnic restaurants and shops, especially Asian-style eateries.

Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui is a coastal resort town which enjoys great weather year round, and is a popular destination for those seeking sun, sand and relaxation.
As New Zealand’s ‘Surf City’, Mount Maunganui’s beaches are great for surfing and diving, with large numbers of visitors wanting to experience the laid-back summery atmosphere.
‘The Mount’ is a centre for summertime activities, hosting everything from surf lifesaving events to beach volleyball, national surf contests to sandcastle-building.
Mount Maunganui, or Mauao, is also the name of the extinct volcano which rises above the town. Shrouded in history and legend, the mountain is a dominant feature of the landscape, and a climb to the summit offers amazing views of the surrounding city and ocean.
The relaxed atmosphere of Mount Maunganui has something for everyone, from its vibrant café and pub scene, to its coastal shopping and beach culture.

Palmerston North

Palmerston North (Maori: Te Papa-i-oea) is the main city of the Manawatu-Wanganui region of the North Island of New Zealand. It is an inland city with a population of approximately 78,800 [2], Palmerston North is currently the eleventh largest city in the country, and the centre of the seventh largest urban area.[3] A large proportion of its population consists of students attending Massey University, Universal College of Learning (UCOL) or International Pacific College[1] during the student year.
Locals are known as Palmerstonians and affectionately refer to the city simply as "Palmy". The city was first named "Palmerston" in honour of Viscount Palmerston, a former Prime Minister of Great Britain. However, the suffix "North" was added in 1871 by the Postal Service in order to distinguish the settlement from Palmerston in the South Island.
Palmerston North covers an area of 325.94 square kilometres (126 sq mi) and one million people live within a two hour (200 km/120 mi) radius. The city is situated about 140 km (87 mi) north of the capital, Wellington, in the eastern part of the Manawatu Plains, and close to the northern bank of the Manawatu River. It is 35 km (22 mi) from the river's mouth and 12 km (7 mi) from the end of the Manawatu Gorge.
The official limits of the city also take in rural areas to the south and northeast of the main urban area, extending to the Tararua Ranges and including the town of Ashhurst at the mouth of the Manawatu Gorge. This is a rich and fertile agricultural area.

Wellington

Lower Hutt (also known as Hutt City) is a 15 minute drive north-east of Wellington. The gateway to the great outdoors of the Wellington region, it attracts walkers, runners, mountain bikers and horse trekkers. Here you’ll find fantastic recreation opportunities, while buzzing cafes and great shops are never far away. It is also home to leading-edge art museum TheNewDowse.

Upper Hutt is a destination for lovers of the outdoors. 30 minutes from Wellington, you’ll find the pristine Hutt River, stunning native forest and riverside trails suitable for walkers, joggers and cyclists. Keen golfers will enjoy a round at one of its picturesque golf courses. Upper Hutt is also home to Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre.

Porirua, 15 minutes drive north of Wellington, offers culture and breathtaking rural scenery. Its rugged coastal setting provides a natural backdrop for water-sports, including windsurfing, sailing and diving. For a change of pace, relax and spend the day exploring the shops and markets, or visit the award-winning PATAKA Museum - the cultural heart of Porirua.

Kapiti Coast – known as Nature Coast, offers a quintessential New Zealand experience just a 40 minute drive north of Wellington. Sample some of the local cheeses, ice creams, chocolates and other specialist small goods produced in the area. Or take a day trip to the unique Kapiti Island, home to many rare and endangered birds.

Wairarapa is Wellington’s wine region, is only 90 minutes drive from Wellington. It offers the perfect escape, with a strong focus on gourmet flavours and experiences. Discover the boutique wine-village of Martinborough, or the charming antique and crafts stores of Greytown.
Explore Wellington’s neighbouring regions with the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail. Producing around 70 percent of New Zealand’s annual wine production, the Classic New Zealand Wine Trail travels some 380 kilometres through the regions of Hawke's Bay, Tararua, Wairarapa (Martinborough), Wellington and Marlborough.

Christchurch

The largest city in the South Island, it is also the second largest city and third largest urban area of New Zealand. A coastal city, the urban area is situated just north of Banks Peninsula, midway down the South Island's east coast, but (since 2006) the city limits encompass the peninsula.

The city was named by the Canterbury Association, which settled the surrounding province of Canterbury. The name of Christchurch was agreed on at the first meeting of the association on 27 March 1848. It was suggested by J.R. Godley, who had attended Christ Church, Oxford. Some early writers called the town "Christ Church", but it was recorded as "Christchurch" in the minutes of the management committee of the association.

The river which flows through the centre of the city (its banks now largely forming an urban park) was named Avon at the request of the pioneering Deans brothers to commemorate the Scottish Avon, which rises in the Ayrshire hills near what was their grandfathers' farm and flows into the Clyde.

Christchurch lies in Canterbury, near the centre of the east coast of the South Island, east of the Canterbury Plains. It is located near the southern end of Pegasus Bay, and is bounded to the east by the Pacific Ocean coast and the estuary of the Avon as well as the Heathcote River. To the south and south-east the urban portion of the city is limited by the volcanic slopes of the Port Hills separating it from the Banks Peninsula. As of 2006, the Banks Peninsula was incorporated into the city, in effect tripling the city's land area [2] while adding only about 8,000 people to the city's population. To the north the city is bounded by the braided Waimakariri River.

At the centre of the city is Cathedral Square, surrounding the Anglican cathedral, Christ Church. The area around this square and within the four avenues of Christchurch (Bealey Avenue, Fitzgerald Avenue, Moorhouse Avenue and Deans Avenue[5]) is considered the CBD of the city. The central city also has a number of residential areas, including Inner City East, Inner City West, Avon Loop, Moa & Victoria.

Cathedral Square is a popular destination and hosts attractions such as the speakers' corner made famous by the Wizard of New Zealand, Ian Brackenbury Channell, and evangelist, Ray Comfort. The central city includes the pedestrianised Cashel Street as Christchurch's urban mall. At one end of the mall stands the Bridge Of Remembrance; at the other end the amphitheatre known as the Hack Circle.