New Zealand-Aotearoa in Maori, translates into English as The Land of the Long White Cloud.
The South Island is larger than the North Island, hence it is often called the Mainland, even though only about 1/4 of the population lives here. However, until the begining of the 20th century, it was the South Island which had most of the inhabitants who came to look for gold.
We visited Arrowtown, which was one of the first settlements on the South Island set up as a result of a gold rush. Maori name for the South Island Te Wai Pounamu means: "The Waters of Greenstone" (jade).
New Zealand’s North Island is an island of diverse landscapes and scenery.
Known as Te Ika a Maui (Maui’s fish) in Maori, the North Island offers a full spectrum of sights and experiences.
From the velvety-green hills of Wellington to the metropolitan atmosphere of Auckland; the smoking craters of the Central Volcanic Plateau to the sub-tropical rainforest of the Bay of Islands. The North Island of New Zealand is constantly captivating.