Home to 1/3 of the entire population of NZ, Auckland is a reasonable sized city surrounded by a beautiful harbour and home to the America's Cup, and has everything on offer that you will find in most other major cities plus that little bit of extra "kiwi" touch.
In the city centre you will find the 'backward bungy' that will catapult you into the air at 220kph (best advised to do this BEFORE consuming an entire tepanyaki dinner), the 'Sky Tower' (the tallest structure in the southern hemisphere) which has spectacular views of the city and the Hauraki Gulf, and now most recently the 'bridge climb' where you can don a yellow jumpsuit and walk across the harbour bridge (connecting the northern shores of the city with the metro area) at 100m above the traffic.
But basically Auckland has many things on offer, most of your whims can be catered for.. all you need to do is ask!
Auckland is nice but if you want to bear witness to some pure and natural beauty then you need to head north and towards Northland which incorporates every town from the city of Whangarei right to the tip of the country. Here you will find bushland comprising of native trees such as the Pohutukawa and Punga, and an array of other lush green beauties.. the rumour of the sheep will become apparent also as there are simply thousands (and if you didn't know already there are 20 sheep to each NZer)! There is beach after beach after beach, and more likely than not you could be the only person standing on one at that time.
The people of north are noticeably friendlier, smile as you pass, and often times offer a salutation - and are always willing to lend a hand.
Before I forget there is a must-do if ever in this neck of the woods, when heading to Northland visit the "Mangonui Fish Shop" which has been visited by thousands of people from around the globe (and subsequently raved about), it is situated in a tiny village named Mangonui and built over the water on the harbour; the business has their own fishing boats to give their customers the freshest seafood possible - and while you wait for your order you can enjoy a glass of wine or beer on the deck with the water beneath you!
Undoubtedly you would visit Cape Reinga Lighthouse where the Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Sea meet, a most enchanting sight, and is also home to souls departing the earth according to Maori legend. There are many quaint villages and towns along the way and always a story to take home. If you fancy golf you can play a round at Houhora, and take a look inside the museum of NZ history they have there (also beside the water).
There is just far too much to mention.. the only thing to say here really is to come and experience it for yourself - and it's not just Auckland and Northland that are well worth seeing, the entire country is amazing (and amazingly different throughout) with such natural scenes as thermal mud pools, volcanoes, snow tipped mountain ranges, unspoilt beaches, enormous lakes, and of course the kiwi bird.
The summer is from Nov-Feb and if you like a warmer climate then this is the best time to come with temperatures ranging from 17 to 27 degrees Celcius, if you are more interested in skiing then winter is best but in saying that it is not unusual for there to be snow on the mountains all year 'round!
What more can I say?.. it is one amazing country and you will be glad you came.
Kia ora [thank you]
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Advantages: Great people, nice fresh clean air, not so much traffic and wide open spaces in a big NZ city! Disadvantages: It's one hell of a long flight!
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