The Fish of Māui
Te Ika-a-Māui
The Māori say that the North Island was created when the god Māui and his brothers caught a great fish; Māui's brothers fought over their catch, chopped it up and created the land now often called Te Ika-a-Māui, the Fish of Māui.
Today the North Island is home to people's from all over the world, including the Maori, the English settlers who came later, and more recent arrivals from the South Pacific, Asia, and every other corner of the globe.
A Taste of the North Island
Unique destinations
Glowworm caving
Spectacular glowworm caves are a must see in New Zealand, and there are a pair of unique locations on the North Island to experience this natural wonder.
Bay of Islands
Home of New Zealand's first (but not last) capital, the Bay of Islands is a subtropical treasure comprising of more than 140 islands in the island's Northland. Beaches, water activities, and history provide a unique take on the kiwi way of life.
Lord of the Rings Tourism
Filming of the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies in New Zealand made the country a real world "Middle Earth". Tolkien fans can visit several of the film's settings in the North Island.
