Auckland
Population: 1.1 million
Auckland, known as 'the City of Sails', is one of the world’s most exciting waterside cities with a magnificent harbour and many enthusiastic yachters. The city is surrounded by water and covered in volcanic hills. Thirty percent of New Zealand’s population calls Auckland their home, with a large population of Polynesian and Asian residents. Auckland has a wide range of entertainment and accommodation.

Whitianga
Population: 3,540
Whitianga is a small seaside town located on the Coromandel Peninsula, just two and a half hours from Auckland by car. Popular with locals at holiday time, Whitianga boasts stunning beaches, a sheltered harbour, endless recreational activities and a friendly, “at home” atmosphere with the sophistication of a resort town.

Levin
Population: 19,500
Levin is a busy country town with the coast on one side and mountains on the other. A couple of small lakes characterize the lovely countryside, where rowing and yachting are very popular. 

Wanganui
Population: 45,300
The Wanganui region’s main artery is the Wanganui River, and its main highlight is Wanganui National Park, based around the river and the parallel River Road. The main estuary, over 30 km long, was known to the Maori as Wanganui, meaning ‘Great Harbour’. 

Palmerston North
Population: 67,400
On the banks of the Manawatu River, Palmerston North is the principal centre of the Manawatu region and a major crossroads. With Massey University, the second largest university in New Zealand, Palmerston North has the relaxed feel of a rural university town.

Masterton
Population: 19,900
Masterton is a fair-sized town. Its main claim to fame is the international Golden Shears competition held annually during the first week in March, in which sheep shearing is raised to the level of sport and art, with the world’s top shearers competing in finesse as well as speed.

Wellington
Population: 205,500
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and the home of the country’s government and national treasures. The city runs up the hills and is hemmed in by its magnificent harbour, with wooden Victorian buildings on the steep hills. It prides itself as a centre for culture and the arts.

Nelson
Population: 52,300
The city of Nelson is pleasant, bright and active. The surrounding area has some of the finest beaches in New Zealand and more sunshine than any other part of the country. Nelson is noted for its fruit-growing industry and its energetic local art and crafts community.
 

Geraldine
Population: 2,205
Geraldine is a charming, rural town located in the beautiful rolling hills of South Canterbury. Formerly a forestry town, Geraldine is surrounded by beautiful scenery – native forests and bush, gorges, rivers and mountains. Geraldine is renowned for its local craftspeople and gardeners. It is an hour and a half drive to the city of Christchurch and only 30 minutes to the larger towns of Timaru and Ashburton. 

Christchurch
Population: 331,400
The large, ordered city of Christchurch, centrally located on the east coast of the South Island, is the focal point of the Canterbury area. To the west are the imposing Southern Alps, to the north the marine-mammal centre of Kaikoura. Christchurch is often described as the most English of New Zealand’s cities with carefully edged lawns and exquisite gardens. The picturesque Avon River flows through the city, a grand Anglican cathedral dominates the city square and trams rattle along streets.

Queenstown
Population: 7,500
Queenstown is the self-styled ‘adventure capital of New Zealand’. Surrounded by the breathtaking Southern Alps and close to the stunning Wakatipu Lake, this popular resort town has a fabulous range of activities, facilities and restaurants. Skiing, white-water rafting, sledding, jet boating and bungy jumping are some of the exciting adventure activities that are popular with both local and visiting thrill seekers.