A map of New Zealand showing the Hikurangi subduction zone off the coast of New Zealand's North Island. The red circles are the sites where the UTIG-led science expedition drilled and recovered ...

New Zealand is a land of contrasts and nowhere is this more evident than in the North Island, with its thick rainforests and secluded coastlines, small towns and eclectic cities.

The contest Of course, the main city rivalry in New Zealand exists between Auckland and Wellington (à la Sydney and Melbourne) but this is a contest between North and South.

Get stop-by-stop directions for a driving tour of New Zealand’s North Island from National Geographic's Ultimate Road Trips. Get into the adventure with some of the most varied and rugged ...

Auckland on the North Island is the only NZ city that feels like an urban area capable of competing on the world stage. Credit: iStock New Zealand may be packed with attractions and activities to ...