Taitokerau Northland Trade Manual
The Northland Trade Manual is a tool to assist travel trade in learning more about Northland. It provides key reasons to visits, must do’s, maps, and general information.
The magical Taitokerau Northland region starts just one hour’s drive north of Auckland.
Renowned for its spectacular contrasting coastlines, subtropical pathway, marine reserves, and kauri forests, your clients will enjoy a warm, friendly welcome and a true kiwi holiday experience.
Taitokerau Northland has three airports that service domestic flights, and two main cruise ports. A surprisingly large region, perfect for self-drive explorers who can follow the 800km touring route along the Twin Coast Discovery Highway. We also boast to be the only region to have a full suite of ten Northland Journey touring maps, allowing you to travel deeper into the region.
Taitokerau Northland is represented by four brand pillars, each one helps us tell the unique story of our special region.
Looking for uncrowded peace and tranquillity to relax and unwind, Taitokerau Northland’s contrasting coastlines are among the best in the world. Discover the East Coast’s white sandy beaches, hidden headlands and harbours, sheltered coves, and pristine harbours, to fish, cruise, sail, dive, swim, snorkel or surf. Along the wild West Coast discover shipwrecks, the solitude of empty beaches, the world's largest kauri trees, prehistoric rock formations, crystal clear freshwater lakes and giant sand dunes.
Travel to the very top of Aotearoa New Zealand and experience where two oceans collide, and spirits depart for their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki. Enjoy some of the many cycle trails, and the region's fresh local produce, award-winning wines and restaurants, artisan food, and beverages.
Our region has a rich history that ties both Māori and non-Māori (Pākehā) together. The Hokianga is where the first canoe (waka) arrived with Kupe. Visit the new 4D Cultural & Heritage Centre there, Manea Footprints of Kupe. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds in the Bay of Islands is the place where the historic signing of the Treaty of Waitangi took place in 1840. You can bathe in the healing ancient waters at Ngawha Springs and visit the spiritual very tip of the North Island where two oceans collide.
Immerse yourself in the living ancient kauri forests, thousands of years old, here well before humans came to these shores. Explore these ancient forests with a local guide. Learn how they have supported lives and livelihoods for centuries and how now we must protect these great guardians of the forest.
Taitokerau Northland is home to world-class luxury resorts, golf courses, and has an abundance of walking tracks as well as one of New Zealand's Great Ride cycle trails. The first grapevines planted in Aotearoa New Zealand were in the Bay of Islands in 1819; with resurgence in the 1990’s Taitokerau Northland has emerged as an award-winning wine region. You can taste paddock to plate dining, in iconic locations with idyllic backdrops.
There are so many world-class options in Taitokerau Northland. You can dive at one of the top ten dive sites in the world at The Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve, take a scenic cruise around the Bay of Islands, or sail aboard an iconic Tall Ship. Relax on a sunset cruise, hire a kayak and find your secluded beach, or take a fishing charter out to the blue water to try and catch a marlin. Today, there are many Taitokerau Northland tourism operators that offer water-based tours, charters and lessons.
Accommodation options range from luxury lodges and boutique retreats to hotels, motels, farmstays, glamping, B&B’s, and waterfront holiday parks. You can opt for a bit of luxury perched high on a cliff top overlooking the sea, a bush hideaway set in subtropical gardens, or the ultimate glamping experience. Taitokerau Northland has it all. As one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s favourite domestic holiday destinations, Taitokerau Northland also has many self-catering holiday homes options available, many bookable online.