The city of Auckland, along with New Zealand's North Island came halfway at number 25.
The ancient Maoris call the North Island of New Zealand 'Te Ika a Maui', meaning the 'Fish of Maui'. According to legend, Maui hooked North Island whilst fishing with his brothers in the ocean. His ravenous brothers began to eat the fish causing it to writhe and thrash about, this frenzy creating the mountainous landscape that captivates so many visitors to the North Island.
North Island is part of the Pacific’s 'Ring of Fire' and is volcanically active. The North Island is home to Rotorua, a geothermal hotspot where the earth’s crust is so thin that boiling mud bubbles to the surface and high pressure spouts of steam explode through the ground forming tall geysers. .
The island also has beautiful forests and long sandy beaches. The island’s two largest cities are Auckland to the north and Wellington (the country’s capital) to the south
Wellington is a lively city, full of culture, situated on a picturesque harbour on the southern tip of the island.
But, Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand, situated at one of the narrowest points on the island and almost enclosed by water. The spectacular harbour attracts many yachting enthusiasts, and has been referred to as the 'City of Sails'.
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