Regions of New Zealand
Although New Zealand is not large, it offers incredible diversity; from volcanoes to glaciers, mountain ranges to stunning coastlines, high country farms to wilderness.
It is not possible to cover the whole country in one trip and there is a danger of trying to do to much, which ends up with you spending all your time driving and not enough time to explore and discover the many gems along the route.
Each Region has distinct features, geographical and cultural; understanding these will help you decide where to travel.
Thames, Waihi, Coromandel & Whitianga
UPPER NORTH ISLAND
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/200x126/1/operators/processed/Sunrise.jpg)
Contacts:
Tourism New Zealand Websitewww.newzealand.com/nz/coromandel
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/143x126/1/operators/processed/MMapColleith.png)
Rotorua & Waikato
CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/200x126/1/operators/processed/VolcanicWeb1.jpg)
Contacts:
Tourism New Zealand Websitewww.newzealand.com/nz/rotorua
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/143x126/1/operators/processed/Rotorua-Whakatane.png)
New Plymouth & Whanganui
CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/200x126/1/operators/processed/mount-taranaki.jpg)
Contacts:
Tourism New Zealand Websitewww.newzealand.com/nz/taranaki
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/143x126/1/operators/processed/NPW.png)
Martinborough & Palmerston North
LOWER NORTH ISLAND
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/200x126/1/operators/processed/River_Birches_137_21.jpg)
Contacts:
Tourism New Zealand Websitewww.newzealand.com/nz/wairarapa
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/143x126/1/operators/processed/Wairarapa.png)
Nelson, Abel Tasman & Golden Bay
TOP OF SOUTH ISLAND
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/200x126/1/operators/processed/ArtZ2019.jpg)
Contacts:
Tourism New Zealand Websitewww.newzealand.com/nz/nelson-tasman
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/143x126/1/operators/processed/MMapResurgence.png)
Kaikoura
EAST SOUTH ISLAND
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/200x126/1/operators/processed/AbelZTasmanZEcoZToursZ3_1.jpg)
Contacts:
Tourism New Zealand Websitewww.newzealand.com/nz/christchurch-canterbury
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/143x126/1/operators/processed/Kaikoura.png)
Christchurch, Akaroa & Arthur's Pass
EAST SOUTH ISLAND
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/200x126/1/operators/processed/Bularangi_Motorbikes_-_Central_Otago_Roads.jpg)
Contacts:
Tourism New Zealand Websitewww.newzealand.com/nz/christchurch-canterbury
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/143x126/1/operators/processed/Christchurch-Akaroa_1.png)
Geraldine, Oamaru, Timaru, Twizel
EAST SOUTH ISLAND
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/200x126/1/operators/processed/CookGuides_HR.jpg)
Contacts:
Tourism New Zealand Websitewww.newzealand.com/nz/waitaki
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/143x126/1/operators/processed/mtZcook.png)
Clyde, Cromwell & Alexandra
LOWER SOUTH ISLAND
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/200x126/1/operators/processed/cluthaZgoldZtrailZ2_1.jpg)
Contacts:
Tourism New Zealand Websitewww.newzealand.com/nz/central-otago
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/143x126/1/operators/processed/MMapFletcher.png)
Dunedin & Otago Peninsula
EAST SOUTH ISLAND
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/200x126/1/operators/processed/TawakiZPenguinZonZtheZLakeZMoerakiZCoast.jpg)
Contacts:
Tourism New Zealand Websitewww.newzealand.com/nz/dunedin-coastal-otago
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/143x126/1/operators/processed/Dunedin_2.png)
Oban, Tuatapere, The Catlins & Invercargill
LOWER SOUTH ISLAND
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/200x126/1/operators/processed/kaka.jpg)
Contacts:
Tourism New Zealand Websitewww.newzealand.com/nz/stewart-island-rakiura
![](https://greenjourneys.foxyms.co.nz/files/greenco/resources/cache/143x126/1/operators/processed/Stewart_Island.png)