Kia Ora! What to Do, See & Eat: 2 Weeks in New Zealand

In Auckland, visit the adorable Parnell District of shops, restaurants, and architecture. Walk down the hill to the waterfront and have a breezy lunch of crisp Sauvignon Blanc, Bluff oysters, and french fries.

Spend the morning at the Auckland farmers’ market downtown, and from there, hop on a ferry from Prince’s Wharf over to Davenport for the day. Climb the easy Takaranga hill for amazing views of the city on one side and Rangitoto Island, the country’s youngest volcano, on the other.

Visit the impressive Auckland War Memorial and Museum, and don’t miss a walk through the stunning Wintergarden at the bottom of the hill.

Visit Rotorua for an easy horseback ride along the cliffs. Finish your day with a geothermal mud bath and soak in the natural hot springs and learn about Maori culture and history on the island.

Don’t miss Hawke’s Bay, known for its incredible and one-of-a-kind wine tasting. Hire a wine tour to get a real taste of the region’s wineries. Stay in the town of Napier, a beautiful coastal town that is known for its fabulous Art Deco architecture, and learn about Napier’s dramatic history of a 7.6 earthquake in 1931 and the devastating floods in 2023.

Head to Wellington, at the most southern point of the North Island and get to know a more urban city. Be sure to stop at The Noble Rot for dinner, which is very reminiscent of a small wine bar in Europe that has amazing entrees. Rather than fly to the South Island, you can take the 3.5-hour Interislander ferry ride through the Cook Straight to see New Zealand from the water, and enjoy gazing at the lush, green inlets as the ferry pulls into the harbor.

Visit the Marlborough wine region and taste some unique reds, known whites (such as Cloudy Bay!), and be sure to hire another wine tour here to taste each of the region’s distinct varietals.

Visit Christchurch, known as the Garden City, and take a stroll or rent a bike to wander through the beautiful Botanic Gardens.

Finally, head to the very bottom of the South Island to Queenstown, known for its incredible food and wine. Visit Nest for stunning views while you sip your crisp Sauvignon Blanc and savor the last meal of your New Zealand adventure.

Mr. Morris: Exquisite fine dining in Auckland. One-of-a-kind, unique dishes with local meats, vegetables, and flavors presented as works of art.

The Shucker Brothers: Voted Best Oysters in Auckland by our group. Be sure to also order a crisp white wine or beer, and a side of fries.

Napoli Contemporanea pizzeria bar cucina: Parnell District. Stumbled into this after a long day and was pleasantly surprised by the delicious pizza, pasta, and friendly Sicilian owner.

Hunger Monger: Fabulous seafood options in downtown Napier. We stayed just for drinks and oysters but wanted everything on the menu.

Central Fire Station Bistro: French and Italian-inspired local meats and wine. Seasonal and hearty.

The Noble Rot: A small, intimate wine bar with flavorful small plates and a very European atmosphere.

Frank’s Oyster Bar & Eatery: Best oysters in Blenheim with an incredible selection of gins, seafood, and appetizers.

Amano: Waterfront dining in Auckland with comforting, rustic Italian fare and hand-made bread with salted butter.