For a rustic like New Zealand that is cut up into two elements, it may be tempting to pit them in opposition to one another and select which one is healthier. Nevertheless, each islands have their share of that simple Kiwi attraction, every in its personal distinctive method. Which of New Zealand’s islands is healthier to go to? Properly, that every one will depend on what you’re on the lookout for in Aotearoa. Here is how New Zealand’s North Island and South Island stack up.
Greatest island for Maori tradition
The primary folks to set foot on New Zealand, the Maori arrived 700 years in the past, stated to have been guided there by the semi-legendary Kupe, and landed at Hokianga Harbour on the North Island. As soon as they arrived, the completely different Maori iwi (tribes) explored and settled throughout Aotearoa, and Maori tradition nonetheless suffuses the land. In the event you’re seeking to find out about Maori historical past and tradition, each nook of New Zealand has its personal story, however the most well-liked cultural expertise villages and museums devoted to documenting Maori historical past are discovered on the North Island. We extremely suggest dealing with down the haka in Rotorua and studying about Maori historical past at Wellington’s Te Papa Museum.
Winner: North Island
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Greatest island for climbing
Each the North Island and the South Island have some unbelievable climbing adventures. The North Island’s Tongariro Alpine Crossing is a full-day, 19km (12 mi) hike over a volcano. In some of the distinctive landscapes within the nation, this hike takes you thru New Zealand’s first nationwide park, the place you see the long-lasting emerald swimming pools ready on the high. The North Island can also be extra densely populated, which means most hikes are simply accessible.
To not be outdone, the South Island has scores of wonderful hikes that wind their manner by means of the Southern Alps. A few of them even require a helicopter to achieve! For you multi-day maniacs, there’s all the time the choice to spend three or 4 days traversing Abel Tasman Nationwide Park, some of the stunning pure environments in all of Aotearoa.
Winner: South Island, however solely by a Kiwi feather
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Greatest island for New Zealand wildlife
New Zealand is house to distinctive wildlife. New Zealand’s fauna (principally giant birds) developed in isolation for 1000’s of years earlier than people modified the habitat by introducing bigger mammals and predators. One of the crucial widespread wildlife experiences in New Zealand stays the glowworm caves of Waitomo on the North Island.
Nevertheless, the South Island’s fame because the “wild island” signifies that it shines when it comes to animal life. 13 penguin species may be discovered splashing within the southern fiords, together with dolphins, southern proper whales, and the long-lasting (and mischievous) kea fowl. New Zealand’s nationwide animal, the kiwi, is discovered on each islands, nevertheless it’s mostly seen within the wild on the South Island’s west coast or on Stewart Island.
Winner: South Island
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Greatest island for metropolis tradition
When evaluating cities on the North Island and South Island, it will depend on what you’re on the lookout for. In order for you the frenetic hustle and bustle of New York or London, nicely, you may be on the incorrect continent. Nevertheless, Auckland on the North Island is New Zealand’s largest metropolis and its monetary, instructional, and financial centre and is the Kiwi equal of a serious metropolis. Wellington, the nationwide capital on the southernmost tip of the North Island, is a ravishing metropolis that embraces the pure panorama of forested hills and yawning bays. Wellington’s espresso store tradition is second to none, and Cuba Road presents a incredible night time out.
In distinction, the South Island doesn’t have too many massive cities, with Christchurch, its largest metropolis, about 4 occasions smaller than Auckland.
Winner: North Island
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Greatest island for journey actions
In the event you’re going to New Zealand with out going bungee leaping, skydiving, or rafting, then your journey insurance coverage supplier might be thanking you, as a result of these choices are in every single place. It is troublesome to decide on a winner for this class as a result of journey actions are so ubiquitous that yow will discover choices anyplace you spend the night time in New Zealand. In the event you’re in Taupo on the North Island, you may jet ski on the lake and go whitewater rafting on the Huka River.
Queenstown is among the world’s journey exercise capitals, and leaping on the Shotover Jet boat is the proper warm-up earlier than bungee leaping within the Nevis Valley.
Winner: Whereas Rotorua within the North in all probability has probably the most choices, we’ve opted for scale. The South Island, particularly Queenstown, is a must-visit for thrill-seekers.
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Greatest island for New Zealand’s wineries
Whereas there may be some pleasant competitors between the North Island and South Island on this record, the most effective vineyard island in New Zealand has a transparent winner: the South. Many of the wines produced in New Zealand come from the Marlborough area. Certainly, Marlborough wines make up 85% of all wines produced in New Zealand, and 70% of the Marlborough area is devoted totally to wine manufacturing. The opposite 15% of wine manufacturing in New Zealand is unfold between the North and South Islands, however Napier and Auckland are the principle wine-producing areas of the North.
Winner: South Island
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Greatest island for geothermal exercise
As a rustic on a fault line, New Zealand is alternatively cursed and blessed with harmful earthquakes and spectacular geothermal websites. Among the best locations to expertise the mesmerizing sights, sounds, and (sadly) smells of New Zealand’s geothermal exercise is Rotorua. Between Rotorua and Taupo, you’re by no means too removed from multi-coloured swimming pools and effervescent vents. One in every of our favourites is Orakei Korako, a sprawling geothermal park that’s so remoted that it’s important to take a ship to get there.
Whereas the South Island has some geothermal areas, reminiscent of Hanmer Springs, many of the exercise is round Rotorua.
Winner: North Island
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Greatest island for glacier actions
In the event you’re seeking to stroll on glaciers, drink from glaciers, or swim in glacier water, then head straight for the South Island. The Southern Alps alongside the west coast have a couple of choices, every extra iconic and heart-racing than the final. Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, two of probably the most well-known on the wild coast, are famend for his or her otherworldly appearances up shut. Queenstown additionally has flyover and heli-hike choices, touchdown on glaciers in Mt Aspiring Nationwide Park. Milford Sound was created by glaciers and continues to be fed by dozens of them on the towering peaks surrounding the fjord.
Winner: South Island
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Greatest island for seashores
Not like the Northern Hemisphere, the additional south you go in New Zealand, the colder you’re more likely to be, so it is smart that probably the most temperate climate and finest seashores are extra concentrated across the North Island. Bragging rights for the most effective seashores in New Zealand often go to Northland, however the seashores round Auckland, the Coromandel Peninsula, and the Bay of A lot are additionally spectacular.
Nevertheless, should you’re on the west coast of the South Island and need a distinctive expertise, make the winding drive out to the black sand and smoothed driftwood of Gillespie’s Seashore.
Winner: North Island
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Greatest island for Lord of the Rings actions
The North Island has bragging rights for being the guts of The Lord of the Rings movies as a result of Wellington was the place many of the manufacturing befell. In Wellington, you may go to Weta Workshop, which continues to supply particular results and props for motion pictures right this moment. A day journey north takes you to Hobbiton, which was torn down after capturing however constructed up once more for The Hobbit. Don’t overlook Mt Doom, filmed in Tongariro Nationwide Park, or Rivendell, filmed within the Hutt Valley simply north of Wellington. Whereas extra close-ups could have been filmed up north, lots of the most iconic establishing pictures may be discovered across the South Island, like Isengard (in Paradise), Edoras (Canterbury), and Lothlorien (Glenorchy).
Winner: Whereas there are some unbelievable pure sights down south, the sheer quantity of iconic areas up on the North Island takes this spherical.
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