The North Island of New Zealand is home to around three-quarters of the country's population. It's warmer, more urbanised, and geologically more active than the South Island — the Taupo Volcanic Zone cuts across the centre of the island, producing geysers, boiling mud pools, and the thermal lakes around Rotorua and Taupo. Mount Ruapehu, an active volcano, dominates the Central Plateau.
Auckland is the largest city by far — around 1.7 million people live in the greater Auckland region. Wellington, at the southern tip, is the capital. Northland to the north of Auckland holds the Bay of Islands and Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of the country. Taranaki on the west coast is dominated by Mount Taranaki, a near-perfect volcanic cone.
Destinations in the North Island
Auckland Region Northland Bay of Plenty Hawke's Bay Taranaki Greater Wellington Eastland Waikato Manawatu Whanganui Region
