Auckland is the largest urban area in New Zealand with Auckland City at its heart. This North Island city has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. It's a long way from the UK but the marathon journey is well worth it. Here are our suggestions for things to do in Auckland:

Viaduct Harbour

Sky Tower

The Sky Tower is the southern hemisphere’s tallest tower standing at 630ft high. You can choose to bungee off it or, perhaps more realistically, dine at the acclaimed Peter Gordon restaurant or the revolving restaurant Orbit. The Sky Tower also offers a cinema, casino and of course the SkyCity Grand Hotel, New Zealand’s only five-star hotel. Highly recommended.

Waiheke Island

Waiheke Island is a wonderful holiday island just a 35 minute cruise from Auckland. It's a natural wonderland with beautiful beaches and lovely plant life. The island is home to over 14 vineyards largely due to Waiheke's unique climate. The island is also famous for producing some of the best olives in the Southern Hemisphere.

Otara Markets

Otara Market provides a wonderful cultural experience where you get to see at least a little of the original Auckland. Every Saturday morning, Pacific Island, Maori and Asian traders gather to sell their wide variety of goods. With over 250 stalls, you'll find everything from T-shirts and traditional tapa cloth to Pacific Island music and handicrafts. The market is also a great place to try some of the region's traditional food and delicacies.