North Island vs South Island New Zealand

Last Updated on 3rd December 2022

This post about North Island vs South Island New Zealand contains affiliate links.

Unless this is the first post you’re reading on my blog, you’ll know that I’ve spent a lot of time in New Zealand, both in the North and South Islands so I feel pretty confident in my ability to talk about both islands in great detail.

Since returning home from travelling (temporarily 🙄), one of the most common questions I’ve been asked is “which is better/which one should I prioritise – North or South Island New Zealand?) and honestly? It’s simply a question that cannot be answered because they’re honestly like two different countries.

However, if you are looking for a more conclusive answer to the North Island vs South Island New Zealand debate, I’ve put together the following post highlighting the difference between both islands so you can forge your own opinion.

North Island vs South Island New Zealand – which should you visit?

north island vs south island new zealand which is better

North Island New Zealand

During the entire time I’ve spent in NZ, I’ve spent the vast majority of it on the North Island. I lived in a small town called Katikati, not far from Tauranga on the North Island between 2011 and 2012 and then when we began our trip around the world, we started by house-sitting for my old next-door neighbours for 6 weeks.

Life on the North Island of New Zealand is incredible; the people are awesome, the food is fab and there’s so much to see and do there. Let’s take a look at some of the key elements of NI NZ, shall we?

The climate

The North Island’s climate is typically much warmer than its southern counterpart. During the summer (Dec to Feb), you can expect average temperatures between 18°c and 25°c, whereas in the winter (June to August) temperatures usually fluctuate between 7°c and 13°.

There’s definitely a more tropical feel to the climate in the North Island as well; there’s so much greenery and plants everywhere that it almost feels like you’re somewhere much warmer.

The landscape

Speaking of greenery, the North Island’s landscape is smattered with avocado plots, kiwi farms and so many fruits and vegetables.

There are also numerous beaches to enjoy, particularly at the very top of the island including Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove, Waihi Beach and The Mount.

As you move your way further down the island, there’s a huge national park called Tongariro, which is home to the infamous Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Here you’ll find towering mountains and explosive volcanoes, including the one used as Mount Doom in Lord of the Rings.

The food and drink – North Island vs South Island New Zealand

Garuda, Indonesian food market, Wellington

In my opinion, the NI doesn’t really have an overwhelming food and drink scene. There are a fair few wineries, vineyards and cideries floating about, but nothing compared to the amount that you’ll find in the South Island.

However, I do think that the food is arguably better in the North cities such as Auckland and Wellington.

Wellington is home to some of the best food we ate while travelling and Auckland also has a great foodie scene, including an extravagant menu at the top of the Sky Tower.

Tauranga is also home to some fabulous fish and chip eateries and while it’ll never be as good as traditional English fish and chips, they certainly give it a good go. You’ll also find many places to tuck into a hearty meat pie across the island.

The activities

While the South Island is usually more synonymous with adventure and extreme sports, the North Island also has plenty to offer both tourists and locals in terms of activities.

We enjoyed the likes of a Hobbiton Tour, adventurous activities (including a bungy jump!) at Velocity Valley, luge rides in Rotorua, plus plenty of hikes, walks and climbing adventures.

The North Island is teeming with so many fun things to see and do and there are plenty of road trips you can enjoy from most major cities as well.

The culture – North Island vs South Island New Zealand

The culture in the North Island is much more focused on the Māori heritage of New Zealand than it is in the South. You can visit places such as the Tamaki Māori Village and Whakarewarewa; New Zealand’s only living Māori village. It’s a great chance to get accustomed to the vibrant history of NZ’s indigenous people and to learn more about the people who make New Zealand what it is today.

The city life

Arguably the most famous city in the North Island is Auckland, but there are also numerous other places you can enjoy city life as well, including the often-overlooked beatific capital of Wellington, Tauranga, Hamilton and Rotorua, to name a few.

My favourite city has got to be Wellington and as I mentioned above, the food scene there is incredible, the landscape is beautiful and while there’s not an insane amount of things to do there, it’s definitely a place you need to prioritise during any trip to the North Island.

Top things to see/do in the North Island

Hot Water Beach/Cathedral Cove
Hobbiton
Tongariro Crossing
Velocity Valley
Mount Maunganui/Tauranga
Karangahake Gorge
Wellington
Redwoods Rotorua
Orokawa Bay Beach/Waihi Beach
Waimangu Volcanic Valley

South Island New Zealand

As I mentioned above, it’s incredibly hard to compare the two islands as they really are like two different countries.

However, now that we’ve seen what the North Island has to offer, let’s take a look at the climate, landscape, city life and more of the South Island.

The climate – North Island vs South Island New Zealand

Average summer temperatures in the South Island range from anywhere between 12°c and 16°c and in the winter, it can drop as low as -3°c to 5°c in places such as Queenstown, Mount Cook and Milford Sound. One night when we were staying in our campervan on top of a mountain not too far from Queenstown, we experienced whopping lows of -6°c!

While the North Island is much more renowned for its tropical and rainforest-esque climates, the South is much colder and alpine-like.

Snow-capped mountains, sub-zero temperatures and windy cities are an essential part of the South Island climate.