About Northland

Northland, as the name suggests, is the northern most part of New Zealand, an island nation in the South Pacific. With a latitude of approximately 35 degrees latitude, Northland enjoys a warm sub-tropical climate.

Northland is known as the Birthplace of a Nation.

The peace and tranquillity, the ‘greeness’ of Northland, can be found and felt in areas of native bush and streams

Kupe, the legendary Polynesian navigator from Hawaiiki discovered Aotearoa / New Zealand around 950AD, landing on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour. Oral history tells us that canoe / waka migration followed at around 1000 AD bringing sufficient numbers of people to form viable and sustainable communities. These were the first settlers, the Tangata Whenua of Aotearoa / New Zealand.

Many of these original migrants stayed in the warm climate of the north, settling the shores and sheltered harbours that provided abundant food supplies.

The first recorded European contact with New Zealand was by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1642, but it was not until the late 18th century that other explorers, including Captain James Cook, and European settlers began to arrive. Trading, whaling and sealing communities along with missionaries were established.

New Zealand’s founding document the Treaty of Waitangi was signed on the 6th February, 1840 in the Bay of Islands. Gatherings are now held every year on this Public Holiday at Waitangi to commemorate the signing of the Treaty.

Cape Reinga – the northern-most tip of the North Island, New Zealand – a place where two oceans meet, a place of great spirituality

The region of Northland today starts at around an hours drive north of New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland and reaches to the very top of the North Island at the spiritually significant Cape Reinga. It has a land area of 1.25 million hectares (approximately 3 million acres), with significant tracts of virgin, primordial forests providing a habitat for ancient trees and wildlife.

Northland’s economy is based on agriculture, tourism, forestry and woodprocessing, horticulture, construction and marine engineering. Emerging industries include the creative sector, mining and aquaculture. Northland has a full range of professional and retail services.

New Zealand is an island nation and no part of Northland is more than 40km from a coast. This extensive coastline has some of the best beaches, coves and harbours in the world, from long sweeping surf beaches, estuaries, and tidal mangrove flats, to rocky dramatic headlands and sublime, sheltered intimate coves. The Northland coast is also home to many smaller islands and marine reserves.

This ease of accessibility to the ocean and coast and all the activities associated with them, is a major attraction for both visitors and for those who decide to make their homes here.

Just when you think you’ve discovered paradise, you will arrive at another - Maitai Bay on the Karikari Peninsula is just one of the many treasures on Northland’s coast

Northland is now home to a population of around 148,500 people, an eclectic mix of people – locals who can trace their ancestry back to the first major Maori and European settlements, artists, farmers, entrepreneurs, families, the young the old and everyone gloriously in between.

The people lucky enough to visit or live here speak of an intangible drawing to, and sense of belonging with, the land and the sea. Indeed many who visit choose to return, bringing their families, their skills and trades, and businesses with them.

We hope this site provides with you some insight into Northland – it will be no substitute for a real-life Northland experience but hopefully will provide you with an appetite to find out more.

Related Websites

The following websites provide more information about the history of Northland

• Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
• Waitangi Treaty Grounds
• The Treaty of Waitangi


What the weather does in Northland

• Northland climate
  
  

Travelling to and from Northland


• By road, by air, by sea