Which is better north or south New Zealand?

Generally speaking, if you want to engage with city culture or explore Maori history, the North Island is for you. If you want to deep-dive into nature, the South Island has plenty of lakes, mountains, fjords, and glaciers to discover.

What is the nicest part of New Zealand?

10 Best places to live in New Zealand

1. Queenstown. View from the top of the Skyline Gondola in Queenstown. ...
2. Napier. Coming in at number two on our list is Napier. ...
3. Rotorua. ...
4. Auckland. ...
5. Tauranga/Mt Maunganui. ...
6. Wellington. ...
7. New Plymouth. ...
8. Christchurch.

Is north or South Island New Zealand better in winter?

Both islands are warm in summer and while the South Island's mountain regions are colder and snowier in winter, you're rewarded with unforgettable alpine views and great skiing.

What is the difference between the north and South Islands of New Zealand?

In the island's south, you'll find volcanoes around Tongariro National Park. While both islands have beaches, the North Island has more of the traditional white-sand beaches that are perfect for swimming. Generally, the North Island is warmer, as its northernmost regions are subtropical.

Which is warmest north or South Island New Zealand?

Also there is considerable variation between regional climates in NZ. South Island has a temperate climate. North Island warmer than South, Northland the only true sub-tropical region - warmest in country.

What is the best city to live in New Zealand?

The best New Zealand cities to live in

• Auckland. ...
• Wellington. ...
• Christchurch. ...
• Hamilton. ...
• Dunedin. ...
• Tauranga. ...
• Napier. ...
• Queenstown.

Which New Zealand island is most beautiful?

The 15 Most Beautiful Islands in New Zealand

• Waiheke Island. ...
• Kapiti Island. ...
• Chatham Islands. ...
• Aotea/Great Barrier Island. ...
• Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island. ...
• Rangitoto ki te Tonga/D'Urville Island. ...
• Motu Ihupuku/Campbell Island. ...
• Rangitoto Island.

What is the warmest place in New Zealand?

Where is the warmest place in New Zealand? Based on the average yearly high of 19.7 °C (67.6 °F), Whangarei is the warmest place in New Zealand. In summer, temperatures climb to the mid 20's °C (mid 70's °F) and occasionally reach above 30 °C (mid 80's °F).

Can you drive from North to South Island NZ?

Can you drive from North to South in New Zealand? Fancy a road trip between islands? Unfortunately, there is no bridge or tunnel connecting the islands, the distance is too great. However, there is an Interislander Ferry or Bluebridge Cook Strait car ferry that you can hop aboard.

Which part of New Zealand is the warmest?

Daily maximum temperatures are normally in the mid to low 20s (°C) over most of the country. They are higher in northern, eastern and interior part of the country; Hastings is the warmest city on average with 25.5 °C followed by Gisborne with 24.9 °C and Napier with 24.5 °C.

Is North Island or South Island better?

The verdict

This one is a no-brainer with the North Island offering way more cultural and traditional Māori experiences than the South Island. This is due to the bigger populations found in the North, stemming from large cities such as Auckland and Wellington.

Which NZ island is most populated?

Most Populated Islands

The North Island of New Zealand is the most populated island with a total of 3,519,800 people. Second is the South Island with 1,076,300 people and the third is the Waiheke island with the population of 8900.

Is New Zealand hotter than UK?

In simple terms, almost the whole of New Zealand is warmer and sunnier than the UK. The driest weather is found in the east (Christchurch and Napier, for example) and the warmest weather is found in the north (Auckland and Napier, for example).

Where do the rich live in New Zealand?

With over one hundred Auckland suburbs sitting on or around the average sales price of one million dollars, it's not surprising that the Auckland region is the obvious leader in the luxury housing market in New Zealand.

What is the safest city in New Zealand?

Wellington is ranked as New Zealand's safest city - the 18th safest in the world. The capital was the only city in the country ranked in the 2019 Safe Cities Index, by global business intelligence firm The Economist Intelligence Unit.

What is the cheapest place to live in New Zealand?

Top 10 Cheapest Cities in New Zealand to Live in

1. Rotorua. With cheap rent, entertainment and food, Rotorua easily tops this list. ...
2. Napier and Hastings. New Zealand's high-end wine country is surprisingly cheap to live in. ...
3. Whangarei. ...
4. Palmerston North. ...
5. Hamilton. ...
6. Tauranga. ...
7. Christchurch. ...
8. New Plymouth.

How long is the ferry from North Island to South Island New Zealand?

New Zealand's most famous and beautiful ferry route is between Wellington in the North Island and Picton in the South Island. The journey between the two islands is commonly referred to as 'crossing the Cook Strait'. The sailing time is around 3.5 hours (weather dependent).

How far apart are Australia and New Zealand?

↔️ Kilometers: 4157.41 km. / Miles: 2583.3 miles. / Nautical Miles: 2243.34 NM. ✈️ Estimated flight time: 4.56 hours.

Where is the best snow in New Zealand?

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park is home to NZ's highest mountain and biggest glaciers; and some of its highest snowfall, too.

What is the sunniest place in NZ?

Officially crowned the Niwa Sunshine capital for 2020, this makes Whakatāne the sunniest place in New Zealand.

Does it ever snow in New Zealand?

Snow rarely falls in the coastal areas of the North Island and west of the South Island, although the east and south of the South Island may experience some snow in winter. Frosts can occur anywhere in New Zealand and usually form on cold nights with clear skies and little wind.

Is Wellington or Auckland better?

Essentially it totally depends on what you're looking for and what you want to do. If you're looking for adventure activities then you should head to Auckland. If you're looking for culture then Wellington has the edge. If you want a bit of everything then either city would do!

Should I go to Auckland or Queenstown?

Queenstown may be top for fantastic scenery and landscapes, but Auckland has a beauty of its own. It has parks, botanical gardens, sandy beaches that can make your visit worthwhile. Within the vicinity, you can hike, get close to nature, and take a dip in the beach.

Which is bigger North or South Island NZ?

The South Island, also officially named Te Waipounamu, is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand in surface area, the other being the smaller but more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, and to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean.