New Zealand has two main islands – the North Island and the South Island. Each has unique features and attractions for tourists and international students alike. If you're thinking of studying in the North Island, you'll therefore have a lot to explore, and a lot to think about. To get you started, our guide will introduce you to all the important things about this incredible place.
Even though the island had been called the North Island for many years, it was officially named the North Island or Te Ika-a-Māui in 2013. It’s also important to note that it’s always referred to as ‘the North Island’ and not merely ‘North Island’. People talk about living ‘in’ the North Island and not ‘on’ the island. We know it doesn't sound right, just try and forget everything your English teacher told you!
Te Ika-a-Māui (The Fish of Māui) has everything, from snow to waterfalls, beaches to national parks. Its rich culture is experienced in its two main cities, Auckland (in the northern part of the island) and Wellington (in the southern part). These two cities make up 42 per cent of the island’s population.
What is the North Island like?
Location and demographics
The North Island is the smaller of the two main islands of New Zealand, measuring 113,729 square kilometres, making it the world’s 14th largest island. Although the North Island is smaller, it’s more populated than New Zealand’s South Island.
The island’s largest city Auckland is home to 1,440,300 people while Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, has a population of 212,000. Other towns and cities (there are 30 of them) have smaller populations.
Interestingly, over 29 per cent of the islanders were born overseas in countries such as England, China, India, South Africa, Australia, and Samoa. International students would have no problems fitting in and feeling at home.
Culture and history
New Zealand was said to have been discovered by Kupe, a Polynesian explorer more than 1,000 years ago. Subsequently the Māori tribes built villages throughout the North Island. In the 1800's Captain Cook, a British explorer, found the island. Soon Māori lands were bought and stolen, with the Māori people forced from their lands in the Land Wars of the 1860s. European traders and whalers settled on the island and built towns and cities. The Māori people have experienced social and economic difficulty ever since this time.
Geographically, the island has experienced severe volcanic eruptions over the years, which have changed the landscape forever.
Today the North Island is the best place to learn about Māori culture and traditions. Hokianga, in the very north of the North Island, is a sacred place in Māori culture. Visit Hokianga Harbour, and you might see whales and dolphins or visit the Waipoua Forest to see two of the tallest kauri trees in New Zealand, both of which are over 1,000 years old.
The haka (as seen above) is a famous Māori ceremonial dance at weddings, birthdays or graduations. It is also used to challenge opponents in sports. It’s performed in a group and represents the tribe’s pride, strength and unity.
What cities are in the North Island?
As already mentioned, the two main cities are Wellington and Auckland. The other larger cities on the island are:
- Hamilton is on the banks of the Waikato River. Hamilton is the third fastest growing urban area in the country, with education and research and development playing an important part in its economy. The city has around 1,000 PhD-qualified scientists.
- Tauranga is on the coast in the Bay of Plenty. It’s one of the country’s main centres for business, international trade, culture, and fashion.
- Lower Hutt sits on the eastern side of Wellington Harbour separating it from the city of Wellington. The capital city is only 15 minutes away.
How much does it cost to live on the North Island?
As with anywhere else in the world, the cost of living depends on the city and the type of accommodation you choose. New Zealand’s North Island, with its capital city and larger population is more expensive. As a general guide you should budget between NZD 18,000 and NZD 25,000 per year (NZD 1,500 to NZD 2,000 per month) or between USD 11,100 and USD 15,400 per year (USD 925 to USD 1,280 per month).
You can find more details in our article on how much it costs to study in New Zealand.
What services are there on the North Island?
The New Zealand government has a dedicated website - NauMai NZ - for international students. The website offers advice, information and guidance for anyone thinking about studying in the country. Their website covers areas such as:
- Visas and immigration
- Study and education
- Personal wellbeing
- Accommodation
- Money and banking
- Life and culture
- Healthcare
- Careers and working
Find out more about how to apply for a student visa in New Zealand.
What are the post-study options?
A growing economy means that New Zealand will need 40,000 new workers a year, with a growing need for workers from overseas. Some professions are considered ‘high-need’, so any profession featuring in The Green List is fast-tracked through the immigration process.
As mentioned above, the North Island has the largest cities in the country where many multinational companies operate. KPMG has branches in several of the island’s cities, as does Amazon, Deloitte, PwC and Google.
Find out about the application process for a post-study visa and how to find top graduate careers in New Zealand.
What universities are in the North Island?
As the most populated island, the North Island has many top universities to choose from. The institutions include:
- University of Auckland – situated on the harbour city of Auckland. International students make up 32 per cent of the student population and come from over 120 countries, making it truly multicultural. It is also a top 100 university globally according to the QS World University Rankings 2023.
- Auckland University of Technology (AUT) – offers more than 250 courses in a wide range of subjects. 95 per cent of graduates from AUT are in paid employment within nine months of graduating, and employers regard graduates from AUT very highly.
- Massey University – has over 5,000 new international students each. Massey University offers a wide range of programs across its five colleges, including business, creative arts, health sciences, humanities and social sciences.
- University of Waikato – with campuses in Hamilton and Tauranga, the university has 2,500 international students and offers 2,000 industry placements and internships for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
- Victoria University of Wellington – ranks in the top 100 universities in the world for ten subjects, including law, politics and international studies. It also offers new majors in artificial intelligence and space science. No other university in New Zealand currently has these options.
Read more about the top universities in New Zealand and discover what university culture is like in the country.
What are the main attractions?
There’s something for everyone on the North Island. If food, art, shopping, jumping off the Sky Tower or nightlife are your thing, then you must add Auckland and Wellington to your itinerary. If you’re after a more relaxed, creative atmosphere, then the Bay of Plenty might be more your thing. Or explore the Hauraki Gulf for whale and dolphin safaris, beautiful beaches, and a volcano. If you’re feeling energetic and the weather is good, you could try the 297km mountains to sea cycle trail.
What must you see in the North Island?
There are too many must-see and must-visit places in North Island, so we have chosen just a few for you here:
- Poor Knights Islands is an international icon where you can find the largest sea caves in the world, and which has been nominated in the top 10 diving sites on earth.
- Hobbiton is near the town of Waikato, where the scenes of The Shires in the Lord of the Rings movies and The Hobbit trilogy were filmed. This permanent movie set allows you to experience life in Middle-earth.
- Huka waterfall is on the Waikato river. This waterfall has over 220,000 litres of water per second falling over an 11-metre drop. View it from the bridge at the top or take a jet boat ride or a river cruise.
- Whanganui was one of the first cities in New Zealand to be founded. Explore its bridge to nowhere, its art galleries, and its jet boat rides on the Whanganui River, you’ll definitely find something for you.
As you can see, the North Island of New Zealand has a lot to offer. If you’d like to find out about the courses on offer there, why not head to our course matcher tool?
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