New Zealand Regions
New Zealand is a beautiful island country nestled in the southern hemisphere - about a four hour flight from Australia. Find information about New Zealand's regions, or you can look for information in New Zealand's main cities and towns.
North Island
The main regions in the North Island of New Zealand are:
| Name | Approx. Population | Brief Description | Map | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Northland |
148,470 | Northland is the northern most region of New Zealand. Here you will find subtropical forestation, beautiful beaches, world-class diving and an amazing world of water activities. | Northland Map | More Information |
Auckland |
405,000 | The Auckland region is a wonderful world of bays, islands and attractions. Home to Auckland City - the largest city in New Zealand, the Auckland Region enjoys a warm, temperate climate. | Auckland Map | More Information |
Waikato |
382,716 | Waikato is a large region, encompassing the Coromandel, Rotorua, Taupo and the area generally known as the Waikato. Hamilton is the largest city in Waikato, an area famous for the Waikato River, and the vast underground network of caves and caverns at Waitomo. | Waikato Map | More Information |
Bay of Plenty |
257,379 | The Bay of Plenty is a sunny area of New Zealand, home to many beautiful beaches and bays. Tauranga is the main city of the Bay of Plenty. | Bay of Plenty Map | More Information |
Gisborne |
44,496 | The Gisborne area is also known as the East Coast. Gisborne is the main city of this region, a city known for its surfing and beaches. | Gisborne Map | More Information |
Hawke's Bay |
147,783 | The Hawke's Bay is a region known for its art deco cities, sunny weather and lush vineyards. The towns of Napier and Hastings were leveled in 1931 by a devastating earthquake, and rebuilt in the Art Deco style of the day and are popular attractions. | Hawke's Bay Map | |
Taranaki |
104,127 | Taranaki is a small western region of New Zealand. New Plymouth is the largest city in this region. | Taranaki Map | More Information |
Manawatu/Wanganui |
222,423 | The Manawatu/Wanganui region is located north of Wellington, and includes the famous Tongariro National Park. Palmerston North is the main city of this region. The Whanganui River is the longest navigable river in the country, with 239 rapids and stunning bush scenery. | Wanganui Map | |
Wellington |
393,000 | The Wellington region is the southern most region of the North Island and home to Wellington City - the Capital City of New Zealand. Here you will find Parliament, the head offices of all Government Ministries and Departments, the bulk of the foreign diplomatic missions in New Zealand and the Te Papa Museum of New Zealand. | Wellington Map | More Information |
South Island
The main regions in the South Island of New Zealand are:
| Name | Approx. Population | Brief Description | Map | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tasman |
44,625 | Tasman is a sparsely populated region of the South Island with three National Parks - the Abel Tasman National Park, the Kahurangi National Park and the Nelson Lakes National Park. | Tasman Map | |
Nelson |
42,888 | Nelson is a sunny region, with a small city of the same name, located at the top of the South Island. Nelson is home to the World of Wearable Art and Classic Cars Museum. | Nelson Map | More Information |
Marlborough |
42,558 | Marlborough is a warm, sunny region of New Zealand. Blenheim is the main town in Marlborough, and Picton is an important port town. There are many lush vineyards to be found in this region. | Marlborough Map | More Information |
West Coast |
31,326 | The wild West Coast of the South Island is a largely untamed area. Here you can find cascading glaciers, beautiful beaches, and vast forests. | West Coast Map | |
Canterbury |
521,832 | Canterbury is a large region of the South Island, known for its flat plains. Christchurch City is the largest city in Canterbury - known as the "Garden City". Whale watching and swimming with dolphins are popular activities along the Canterbury coastline. | Canterbury Map | |
Otago |
193,800 | Otago is home to the University of Otago, and the famous Otago Peninsula. Dunedin is the largest city in Otago, and the second largest city in the South Island of New Zealand. | Otago Map | More Information |
Southland |
90,873 | Southland is the most southern region of New Zealand and home to beautiful Fiordland. Invercargill is the largest city, and home to SIT - the Southern Institute of Technology which was the first campus to launch the "zero fees scheme" in New Zealand. | Southland Map |
Statistics sourced from Statistics New Zealand.
