A bloom of harmless crystal jellyfish surrounds a diver at the Poor Knights Marine Reserve. Photo: Crispin Middleton
Northland has been named on National Geographic's Best of the World 2025, described as a list of the most exciting, meaningful and one-of-a-kind travel experiences for the coming year.
The region makes it onto the list on the strength of its rare wildlife, in particular at the Poor Knights Marine Reserve, 25km off the Tūtūkākā coast north of Whangārei.
The global publication states that international travellers landing in Auckland usually head south, but suggests that is a mistake.
"The little-visited Northland region has fascinating wildlife and warm waters that offer excellent diving, especially in the Poor Knights Marine Reserve. Many fish species in the reserve, such as spotted black groper, mosaic moray, and Lord Howe coralfish, are found nowhere else in the country."
National Geographic also highlights the success of a Northland-wide conservation project.
"On land, normally elusive and threatened kiwis are abundant thanks to Kiwi Coast, a coalition of more than 250 community-led conservation projects that aims to create the first protected corridor for New Zealand's beloved national bird."
Northland Inc acting head of destination Amy Simpkin said she was "extremely stoked" the region had been included in the list.
"As Northlanders living here, we know how amazing Northland is - and it's just so amazing to have that recognised on a global scale and by a big publication."
She hoped National Geographic's accolade would drive interest in the region.
Sacra di San Michele is one of Italy's Cenobitic monasteries, which feature in National Geographic's Best of the World 2025 list. Photo: Photo by Andrea Frazzetta/National Geographic
Northland's coastline and marine environments were already among visitors' key reasons for choosing Northland.
"The Poor Knights has been on the world stage for a long time and we know how fantastic it is out there. Our kauri forests and kiwi have always been big selling points for us too, particularly the likes of Waipoua Forest with Tāne Mahuta and all the big trees over there," Simpkin said.
"So it is something we pretty much known for already, but it's good to have that confirmed by National Geographic."
Kiwi Coast coordinator Ngaire Sullivan said National Geographic's tribute to the group was acknowledgement of a huge volunteer effort over many years.
"I think it's a testament to all the hard work of all the community-led conservation groups around Northland, and trying to coordinate them together into a wildlife corridor so kiwi are free to roam."
Uummannaq Mountain towers above a town of the same name and its iceberg-filled fjord in Greenland, another destination on the list. Photo: Supplied / Ciril Jazbec
However, if the National Geographic listing did draw extra visitors to the north, she hoped they would leave their dogs and cats at home so the influx would not end up harming the region's kiwi.
The 24 other destinations on the list include Greenland, the volcanoes of Antigua in Guatemala, Italy's Cenobitic monasteries, hiking around the city of Brasov in Romania, Malaysia's Oriental Express, the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, and Australia's Murray River.
The readers' choice destination was Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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Volcán de Fuego erupts in the distance while hikers tackle a mountain in Antigua, Guatemala, also named on the Best of the World 2025 list. Photo: Peter Fisher / National Geographic
