Northland - Auckland

Northland is often referred to the birthplace of the nation, as it was here that the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. It was also one of the first landing places for canoes from East Polynesia and the site of early European settlements. Pass through the Waipoua Forest on the way back to Auckland and visit Tane Mahuta.

If someone said you could not only surf, but also snowboard in Northland, you'd think they were pulling your leg. The upper North Island region is also known as the 'Winterless North', so it's highly unlikely that its climate would cater for snow sports.

But this is boarding of a different kind, on mountains of sand edging the Tasman Sea. Dune boarding, as it's known, takes place in Opononi, Ahipara and Te Paki in the Far North.

It's by far the best way to experience the immensity of Ninety Mile Beach and the Hokianga dunes. Try surfing the sand, or lie down on the board toboggan-style and shoot down the slopes. Depending on the tide, rides down the dune can sometimes end with a refreshing splash in the Tasman Sea, when the brakes (toes in the sand) fail.

Dune boarding trips depart from Opononi, Ahipara and Te Paki. Just remember to take some sunscreen and water – the dunes can be harsh on a hot day, and the last thing you want is to feel like you're stranded in the middle of a desert. Extreme fun and extremely affordable – there's no excuse not to give it a go!

If the great kauri forests of Northland are New Zealand's untamed jungle, then Tane Mahuta is the undisputed king of this domain. The largest living kauri in New Zealand, Tane Mahuta has a 13.77-metre girth, a trunk height of 17.68 metres and a total height of 51.5 metres.

Located a short five-minute walk along flat paths, just off State Highway 12 in Northland, this "Lord of the Forest" has a competitor who has a fair way to go before he hits the same dizzying heights.

His name is Te Matua Ngahere, "Father of the Forest", and he is currently the second overall largest living kauri in the country, with a girth of 16.41 metres and a total height of just under 30 metres.

Nearby are The Four Sisters who, though smaller, are spectacular simply because of their clustered planting.

Reading these wooded statistics does nothing to depict just how majestic and awe-inspiring these giants are. They truly have to be seen to be believed and are worth the easy trek via well-maintained boardwalks within Waipoua Forest.

Calling all foodies, wine connoisseurs, market-goers, diners, gastrotourists and pub-crawlers! Northland's Food and Wine Trail has 74 food and wine stops on a winding tour through the tasty Northland region.

The trail leads through restaurants, cafés, taverns and bistros, markets, roadside stalls, artisan producers and specialty stores, wineries and vineyards. With around 500km of food and wine trail in total, there's a bounty of Northland scenery and activity to experience along the way.

Take your time – and your appetite! You're going to want to try everything and anything on this tastebud tour through the Kumara Capital of the Country, the Fruit Bowl of the North and the many cellar doors popping up along the way.

Try one of the tropical chardonnays, popular pinot gris or vibrant viogniers leading the white wine production in the area. If red's more your taste, sip on a spicy syrah or peppery pinotage, attributed to the almost-Mediterranean climate here.

If you're hungry to sip, dip, munch, crunch and gorge your way through Northland's regional smorgasbord then jump on the Food and Wine Trail now!

This ship of peace that once protested against nuclear-weapons testing has now found another purpose, and a new lease of life in the stunning Cavalli Islands. Lying on the sea floor blanketed with a colourful abundance of marine life, Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior attracts thousands of exploring divers each year.

She rests at the bottom of the ocean near Matauri Bay, a horseshoe-shaped bay half an hour from Kerikeri. The small camping ground at Matauri Bay is always popular in the summer, and it's a beaut' spot for swimming, fishing and diving. It's also the destination for many a classic Kiwi summer: barbecues on the beach, glowing faces and salty hair.

Kayak around the Cavalli Islands on the hunt for a juicy mussel or cray, or simply lie on the beach. Dive operators take regular dive tours to the Rainbow Warrior wreck, an absolute must for avid scuba divers. If you'd rather pay your respects with your head above water, visit the Rainbow Warrior Memorial, sculpted by Kerikeri local Chris Booth.

Whether you choose to dig your feet into the soft white sand on shore or dive to the depths of the bejewelled blue waters, the sheer number of beaches and bays in Matauri Bay means you can always find one to call your very own.

If you want to know more about Maori and European history in New Zealand, this is where you need to start. It was in Waitangi on 6 February 1840 that the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed between Maori and the British Crown. The treaty established British control over New Zealand or governance (kawanatanga), depending on whether you’re reading the English or Maori version. And while neglected for many years, the treaty has played an increasingly important role in recent times.

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are part of the 506-hectare Waitangi National Trustee estate. A must-see is the Treaty House, which was built in 1832 for the first British resident, James Busby. Across the lawn is the magnificently detailed whare runanga, a beautiful meeting house with intricate carvings, which was completed in 1940 to mark the centenary of the treaty.

The 35-metre waka taua (war canoe) Ngatokimatawhaorua was also built for the centenary and a photographic exhibit details how it was fashioned from gigantic kauri logs. The naval flagpole in the grounds marks the spot where the Crown and Maori chiefs signed the treaty. Entry to the treaty grounds is free for New Zealand residents.

A short drive past the turn-off to Maitai Bay Campground is a parking area and easy walking track that takes you down to the stunning Karikari Bay. The walk is a short but sweet five minutes long and concludes on the sandy shores of Karikari Beach – perfect for young families or travellers who aren't physically inclined.

If you are in it for the long haul or you've got some time to spare, take a leisurely one to two-hour stroll along glistening white sand to Puwheke Reserve. From the top of Puwheke Hill you can check out views of Aupouri Peninsula, including Great Exhibition Bay and the gargantuan sand hills of Ahipara. On a clear day, you could even see North Cape.

Whether its sunbathing and sandcastle building on Karikari Beach or bird watching and fishing at Puwheke Reserve, the Karikari Penisula has all your walking and outdoor activities covered. Keep an eagle eye out for the endangered New Zealand dotterel, known to nest around these parts.