Other Regional Profile

Northland | Auckland | Bay of Plenty | Waikato |Taranaki | Gisborne | Hawke's Bay | Wairoa | Palmerston North | Wellington | Malborough | Canterbury | Timaru | West Coast | Southland

NORTHLAND
Rich in culture and history and blessed with a pristine natural environment, Northland is where the birth of New Zealand took place with the arrival of the first Maori canoes to the country in this region and the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

New Zealand's warmest region, Northland enjoys warm weather throughout most of the year, with the hottest months being January and February - perfect for enjoying the golden beaches, secluded coves, tranquil harbours, -New Zealand's newest deepwater port is located at Marsden Point, just south of Whangarei - warm waters, dramatic coastline, wild beaches and spectacular forests. Northland is filled with stunning beauty - an aquatic playground and a land of unspoilt natural beauty.

Along the East Coast, Northland greets its visitors with golden beaches fringed by pohutukawa trees, secluded coves, tranquil harbours, forest and coastal walks, and sought-after dive spots. In the Bay of Islands you can find thrilling adventure or perfect peace. The Poor Knights Islands marine reserve along the Tutukaka Coast is a dive mecca, regarded by the late Jacques Cousteau as one of the world's top dive locations. Northland's east coast is where visitors and locals alike enjoy boating, surfing and fishing. In the Top of the North, the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet producing waves more then 10 metres high at times and surrounding the land with warm, subtropical waters. At the furthest point of New Zealand, Cape Reinga plays host to the historic lighthouse guarding the northwestern approaches. Along 90 Mile Beach surfers take to the waves where giant sand dunes line the shore. It's a place to keep one's eyes peeled for the wild horses of the Aupouri Forest.

Further south along the West Coast a sprawling array of inlets and tributaries form the Hokianga region, leading on to the Kauri Coast. It's a place of wild beaches, spectacular coastline and peaceful forests. An atmospheric drive through Waipoua Forest will acquaint you with New Zealand's largest living Kauri trees, standing 50 metres tall.

Northland offers a sublime combination of work and lifestyle.

Northland's population base of approximately 148,000, - about 51,500 (FT) employees-work for over 17,500 businesses and Northland's gross regional product of $3.4 billion annually represents about 3% of the national total. The region is in a steady growth phase and is attracting new investment and industry development. This growth complements a solid industry base of pastoral farming, horticulture, forestry and wood processing, and tourism.
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AUCKLAND
Auckland, reputably known as the City of Sails is the biggest and fastest growing city with almost 30% of New Zealand's population. Its bountiful Maori, South Pacific and Asian cultures deem it one of the most culturally diverse places in the country. Stretching between the sparkling waters of the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, the city offers a thriving metropolitan lifestyle and island get-aways throughout the Hauraki Gulf. Here you can experience the abundance of shopping and dining, and indulge in the surrounding great escapes - from vineyards, forests, islands and beaches - all within half an hour of downtown. Auckland sits near the upper end of the North Island so generally the climate is warm, bordering on sub-tropical. In recent years Auckland has attracted vast media attention in playing host to some of the world's most prestigious sporting and business events such as the America's Cup and APEC.

BAY OF PLENTY
The Bay of Plenty abides by its name - think beautiful harbours, long white surf beaches and easy-going lifestyle. It lies east of the Kaimai-Mamaku Ranges and south of the Coromandel peninsula in the North Island. Spectacular beaches attract surfers year round, with Mount Maunganui providing a focus for wave culture. Around the sunny city of Tauranga you'll find orchards and gardens growing everything from kiwifruit and citrus fruit to avocados and culinary herbs. About 100kms along the long beach you'll find Whakatane, the portal for expeditions to White Island - New Zealand's only active marine volcano. Take a guided tour or helicoptor over the island to see the spectacular volcano vent steam, roar and hiss surrounded by sea water. White Island is one of the most amazing natural experiences in New Zealand and is internationally important for scientists and vulcanologists. Click here to read some endorsements from happy clients living in the Bay of Plenty region

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WAIKATO
The Waikato is the first region south of Greater Auckland. It has two spectacular landscapes—one above ground, the other below. Above ground the view is dominated by the serenity of the Waikato River and the rich rolling green of productive farmland. The main centre is Hamilton—a city that serves the thriving farming and university community. The population of the Waikato Region is approximately 400,000.

The mighty Waikato river is best experienced from the deck of a classic paddle steamer. While the world passes by, an interesting commentary will tell you about local landmarks, the history of the region and riverbank life.

Hamilton is famous for its themed gardens, and the local zoo which has the largest free flight aviary in the Southern Hemisphere—an excellent chance to find out about New Zealand's distinctive native birds. The southern end of Hamilton's main street offers an excellent choice of restaurants, cafes and bars. In the Waitomo area, south of Hamilton, there's a natural labyrinth to discover. Massive subterranean caverns are adorned with stalactites and stalagmites—formations that have been millions of years in the making. Visitors can glide through the darkness on a water-borne barge and admire the beauty and deep silence of the cave where the glow-worms overhead give the effect of an eerie underground sky.

The quirky West Coast beach town of Raglan is known throughout the international surfing community for its amazing left-hand break. As a result, the local township is laid back, crafty and well furnished with good eating places. Even if you don't surf, you'll want to sample the idyllic Raglan lifestyle.
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TARANAKI
Taranaki boasts magnificent gardens of national significance, the iconic Mt Taranaki, a spectacular national park and two marine reserves, iron sand beaches and great surf, wonderful lakes, a vibrant arts and crafts scene, gourmet cafes and restaurants, museums and galleries and a range of activities for those with a sense of fun and adventure.
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GISBORNE
Gisborne’s natural attractions include renowned surfing breaks, perfect swimming beaches, and miles of untouched coastline. There are many garden attractions, excellent bush, farm and wilderness walks, New Zealand best fly-fishing rivers, award winning wineries to visit and unique tourism activities.
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Gisborne's restaurants can provide a dining experience as diverse and unique as the region is itself. Local restaurants take advantage of an abundant supply of fresh produce from Gisborne’s beautiful natural surroundings. Gisborne has a growing number of authentic events scheduled that will provide a unique range of Gisborne/East Coast experiences.
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HAWKE'S BAY
Hawke's Bay is the oldest winemaking region in New Zealand - hence the derivative name Hawke's Bay Wine Country. This leading food and wine region has over 2200 hours of sunshine, making it a popular year-round holiday destination with an eclectic mix of visual and sensory experiences. The land sweeps through the east of the North Island with high forested mountains flattening out to the Heretaunga Plains. Enjoy fishing on the wide rivers, sample artisan gourmet foods and glorious beaches that stretch from Mahia Peninsula in the north to Porangahau in the south. With a population of 134 000 Hawke's Bay consists of a pleasing mix of tiny townships and two vibrant cities - Napier and Hastings. No doubt visitors and residents enjoy the generous offerings of vineyards and orchards, coastal hideaways and lush rolling farmland. And while the pace seems somewhat more relaxed than that of larger centres, thriving business activities underpin everything that takes place in the region.
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WAIROA
Wairoa is a settlement within the Hawkes Bay, 118km northeast of Napier and 99km south of Gisborne is a pretty town situated on the banks of the broad Wairoa River, and is the southern gateway to Eastland. The Maori name means "Long water". It is the gateway to the wilderness playgrounds of Te Urewera National Park and Lake Waikaremoana.

Activities to be enjoyed include lake kayaking, trout fishing, boating, day walks and a multi-day walking trip around magnificent Lake Waikaremoana, one of New Zealand's 10 Great Walks. Inland from Mahia on the highway between Gisborne and Wairoa are the Morere Hot Springs set in a nikau-predominant native bush reserve with superb walking tracks.

Wairoa (district population of 10,000, town around 5200) provides an excellent, sheltered venue for waterskiing, yachting and rowing and features a relocated lighthouse set on the banks of the river.
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PALMERSTON NORTH
New Zealand’s first settlers thought Manawatu was a breathtakingly beautiful place. Manawatu (meaning ”heart standing still”) takes its name from its river, which has the second greatest flow in the North Island; its business and retail heart, Palmerston North, was formed in1866 in a natural clearing in the Papaioea Forest, (meaning ”how beautiful it is”). Today, Manawatu is a growing region, employing over 100,000 people in a variety of industries and occupations. Palmerston North is New Zealand’s sixth largest urban area; it’s rural surrounds are largely pastoral and flat to rolling, framed by the magnificent Tararua and Ruahine ranges and the Oroua and Rangitikei rivers.

The region has a great sense of community, a rich pastoral tradition and a vibrant business heart, offering a metropolitan base and a superb lifestyle for its residents. Manawatu has affordable housing, a relaxing lifestyle and friendly people, but still has still has all the benefits of a major city. The schools and educational institutions are excellent and we are home for many world leading researchers, notably those in the areas of food science and animal health. The arts and sporting infrastructure is excellent and Manawatu is home to many international fixtures: rugby, netball, basketball, motor racing, squash, art exhibitions and many more.
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WELLINGTON
Wellington, as New Zealand's capital is widely known for its arts and culture. With a compact population of 423,800 in 290km2 the city is set on the edge of a stunning harbour and surrounded by forested hills, ocean beaches and regional parks. Dominating the spectacular waterfront is Te Papa Tongrewa - the interactive, innovative museum that's one of New Zealand's key cultural attractions. The Wellington Beehive, as the Parliament's building stands in the midst of the central business district and is known for its instantly recognisable and stunning rotunda architectural features. At night, the city stays up late to enjoy live theatre, music and dance performances. Generally the climate in Wellington is temperate with moderate rainfall and mild day temperatures. It is also is renowned for its wind. The wind-funnelling effect of Cook Strait leads to a high frequency of strong winds around the southern coast. Click here to read some endorsements from happy clients living in Wellington
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MALBOROUGH
Situated at the top of the South Island, Marlborough has a population of approximately 42,000+ residents, and that number is increasing all the time. No wonder, with National Parks close by, beautiful beaches, clean rivers, boating, and all manner of outdoor pursuits available within minutes of the city centre of Blenheim.

The Marlborough region in which Blenheim is situated has a wide range of leisure activities, from swimming with dolphins in the Marlborough Sounds to watching whales in Kaikoura; from walks through the bush and along the rugged coastline, as well as scenic boat cruising, fishing, water-skiing and kayaking. The relaxed lifestyle and the flourishing wine and gourmet food industry in Marlborough are enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike.
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CANTERBURY
Canterbury, a unique combination of supremely beautiful and different districts, and the city of Christchurch, sits on the East coast of New Zealand's South Island. It offers premium panoramic landscapes formed by the Southern Alps. Between the mountains and the sea, the vast Canterbury plains are patchworked with the patterns of rural life. Christchurch, the biggest city of the South Island buzzes with exciting festivals, theatre, modern art galleries, great shopping and award-winning attractions. Explore the contrasting offers of both urban and rural lifestyle - live and work in the city, ski on one of the multitudinal ski fields during the winter season, soak away the stress in thermal pools at Hanmer Springs, go eco-watching in Akaroa or Kaikoura, and get in touch with nature by tramping and camping by forested parks. Canterbury has warm summers and cool to cold winters; it is also known to have hot norwesterly winds blowing during warmer months.
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TIMARU
Within the gentle curve of the South Canterbury coastline the Timaru District covers 2,602 square kilometres of diverse landscape.

Attractive towns, lush pasture, rolling downlands, green hills and clean rivers lie in the lee of New Zealand's magnificent Southern Alps in the west.

Timaru boasts a beautiful and relaxing and central business district linked to Caroline Bay. The quality of life within the South Canterbury region is a drawcard for many people who enjoy the outdoors, and a wide range of year round activities and scenic beauty. Its proximity to world class mountain sports and challenging alpine areas attracts people such as professionals.

Over 42,000 residents enjoy life in Timaru District. Moderately-priced real estate, good medical services, excellent educational facilities, an abundance of sporting and recreational facilities and a friendly community all contribute to make Timaru District a welcoming and attractive destination. Enterprising businesses keep the workforce stable.
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WEST COAST
The West Coast of the Southern Alps boasts five of New Zealand’s fourteennational parks - Kahurangi, Paparoa, Arthur’s Pass, Westland, Mt Aspiring -along with the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Among the scenic treasures to be found on the West Coast are New Zealand’s highest mountains, lowest glaciers, finest lowland rainforests (with the tallest trees), wildest beaches, longest caves and most natural rivers. During Winter months the warmer current of the Tasman Sea make the West Coast's temperatures relatively mild compared to other parts of the South Island. Winter weather on the West Coast is generally very settled, with crisp mornings, blue skies, and snow on the mountain tops giving the region a wonderful fresh feel.
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SOUTHLAND
Southland is New Zealand's southernmost region and includes New Zealand's third island, Stewart Island. The lush, green pastoral lands of Southland are a strong contrast to the dryness of Central Otago further north. Throughout the Southland region are a number of accessible, tranquil waterways that attract fly-fishing enthusiasts in search of brown trout. Southland's largest urban centre is Invercargill, a city of 49,000 people. Visitors come to admire the elegant Victorian and Edwardian buildings, gardens and landscaped parks. As in Dunedin to the north, Invercargill was originally settled by people from Scotland. Invercargill is built around beautiful Queens Park—80 hectares of gardens, wildlife and sporting fun. As well as an 18-hole golf course, the park has animal enclosures, a bird aviary, play areas and the Southland Museum. A half hour drive south from Invercargill is the fishing port of Bluff—home to the famous Bluff oyster and the annual Bluff Oyster and Southland Seafood Festival. Once you've tasted a Bluff oyster, no other oyster will do! From Bluff, visitors can catch a ferry to Stewart Island. The island can also be reached by air from Invercargill. Stewart Island is a haven for native bird life and the only place in New Zealand where you can readily see kiwi in their natural habitat.
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