New Zealand’s North Island is the upper of the two islands that comprise the country and the one considered the more important from economic and political perspectives as it is home to the capital, Wellington. It’s a destination with much to offer the visitor, from great natural beauty to a myriad of venues and locations of cultural interest, plus a wealth of modern manmade attractions and conveniences.

Wellington is an essential stop on, or possibly the starting point of a well-considered island tour. This vibrant city recently became famous courtesy of Hollywood due to its part as a setting for scenes in the movie adaptation of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Long before this, however, its stunning scenery and plethora of cultural and sightseeing attractions drew visitors from around the globe.

Auckland is the largest city in the country, and another must-see destination if you are planning on travelling around. Aside from more great scenery and history and heritage based attractions, the city offers light-hearted, fun attractions such as Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, the Rainbow's End theme park and its own zoo.

Maori culture is prevalent across the island and there are plenty of opportunities for visitors to experience it. Of all the attractions featuring aspects of indigenous tribalism, Rotorua’s Te Puia is perhaps the best. There’s also plenty of geothermal activity on the island and Te Puia is one of the best places to experience that too.

North Island is used to receiving visitors and the modern infrastructure of its major cities caters well to tourist needs. Comprehensive transportation networks make getting around easy, while extensive hotel selections ensure that there is accommodation to suit everybody. Booking accommodation online in advance is recommended.

The North Island has a considerable number of airports but those at Wellington and Auckland provide the major gateways for international visitors. From either airport it’s possible to take domestic flights to most major destinations on the island.

The climate can vary somewhat across the island; however, generally speaking weather conditions are best described as warm and temperate. There are four fairly distinct seasons, within which summers are warm and humid, winters are cool and wet and spring and autumn are transitional. Rain can fall in any season but is heaviest in the winter (June to August).

Summer (December to March) is considered the best time to visit the North Island as this is when temperatures are highest and rain is least likely to fall. January and February can see highs reach around 23°C, so are perhaps the best months for sun seekers. Visiting at other times of the year is possible as the North Island is not prone to any serious weather extremes aside from the odd storm here and there.