Cities of New Zealand

Most people who visit New Zealand will spend a good portion of their time in the backcountry, getting up close to glaciers, magnificent, green meadows, crystal blue lakes, and forest area where they will climb, backpack, camp, or simply enjoy the magnificent beauty of this land.

When in New Zealand, you definitely want to experience the all of this, especially since so much of the country is unspoiled and breathtakingly beautiful. However, in addition to spending time skiing the mountains, swimming the lakes, or walking the forests, keep in mind that New Zealand also boasts some incredible cities, each distinct.

For starters, the capital city of Wellington, as seen in the photograph, only has population of around 345,000. Situated on a beautiful harbor on the very south tip of the North Island, this city is a wonderful place to experience culture and arts. In fact, Wellington has some type of festival each month throughout the year. Then you will discover fantastic, ethnic restaurants and quaint cafes. Although Wellington has become somewhat modernized with tall buildings, a large part of the city remains true to its history and culture.

Several things you might consider doing while in Wellington include seeing the National Library, going to Cuba Street, and visiting the Native Plant Museum. The National Library houses the country’s most comprehensive collection of books so if you appreciate literature, you will love it. For shopping, you cannot beat Cuba Street and the Native Plant Museum provides you with information about all the various plants, trees, and flowers growing in New Zealand. Other points of interest include the Katherine Mansfield Memorial, the place where Mansfield was born in 1888, the Te Papa museum, Thorndon, a great area of many historical sites, or even the local zoo.

Another great city in New Zealand is Auckland. Although Auckland is not the capital city, it is the largest with a population just over one million. Nestled between water and volcanic hills, you will enjoy a wonderful view of the harbor and bridge where you can sit back and watch the massive yachts and sailboats as they leisurely stroll by, which is why Auckland is often called the City of Sails. The greatest ethnic group in Auckland is Polynesian, which means incredible food! While in Auckland, you might visit the Auckland Museum where a number of Maori artifacts are found, Newmarket or Parnell where you can shop until you drop, or hit the beaches of Mission Bay or Kohimarama.

Finally, if you want something a little smaller, a town that is cultural then Harihari is a beautiful destination. This small town is on the west coast of the South Island. The town’s people are warm and hospitable, the restaurants and cafes charming, and the views truly spectacular. However, Harihari became famous when in 1931 Guy Menzies finished the first ever, solo flight from Australia across the Tasman Sea. Unfortunately, while the flight was perfect, the landing resulted in the plan overturning in a swamp. Menzies was able to get out of the plane, only to fall face first into the mud, much to the delight of the locals who had come to watch this historical day.


Last Updated: 10/19/2006 3:14:00 PM

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