          |
 Northern North
Island photos ...... |
| |
    |
|
Cape Reinga at the northern most tip of the North Island is where the Tasman
sea meets the Pacific Ocean (Reinga is Maori for place of leaping
.... legendary place where spirits of the deceased depart for homelands in
Polynesia). The Bay Of Islands is renowned as New Zealand's finest Maritime
Park surrounding one of the earliest areas of European settlement in New
Zealand in the early 1800's. |
    |
       |
| Paihia is an ideal base
to relax and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Northland region by sea
cruising off-shore islands or land based sightseeing, to the Kauri forests, and
points of great historic significance in early
New Zealand history. The
giant Kauri trees such as those at Waipoua Kauri Forest and Trounson Kauri
Park Mainland Island should not be missed, nor the Matakohe Kauri Museum
further south. |
    |
| Treaty House at Waitangi
was the site of the initial signing of the Treaty House of Waitangi in
February 1840 between
Maori Chiefs representing several Maori tribes and the British Crown.
Northland is dotted with historic buildings such as the little wooden church
at Russell built in 1836 - the oldest surviving church in New Zealand.
Another feature of Northland are the coastal sand hills ranging from
brilliant white to golden such as those shown above at Opononi. |
   |
| Farming is the most
important aspect of the New Zealand economy from Northland in the far north
to Southland in the far south of the South Island. Dairy farming especially is by far New
Zealand's most important industry and New Zealand dairy
products are exported to almost every country world-wide. Kiwifruit (not
Kiwis) one of our
most important horticultural crops, are grown on vines mostly in the upper
and eastern North Island for harvesting in the autumn (April/May) for export
to many countries. |
    |
| Auckland City with more than 25% of
New Zealand's population, is by far the largest city (1 million
plus, greater than the entire population of the South Island) yet a very
attractive city not too be rushed (traffic congestion) there is plenty of
interest for visitors and great views from Sky Tower and from the top of
some of the twenty two dormant volcanic cones, such as Mount Eden or One
Tree Hill, the city is built on and around. Offshore harbour cruising to Islands
such Waiheke (for wine lovers), Rangitoto (for adventurers) or Tiri Tiri
Matangi (for bird lovers) are a must. |
