New Zealand is mainly made of two separate islands that, despite their close proximity to one another, are vastly different in their landscapes, ecosystems, culture, and populations. This means that each of the New Zealand islands give you vastly different offerings. You could be hiking within snow-capped mountains one day and bathing in hot springs on another. This is one of the things that makes New Zealand so unique and interesting to visit. So when talking about the South Island vs. North Island, New Zealand, which island is better to visit?
South Island Vs. North Island, New Zealand: The Main Differences
The Ecology and Geology of the New Zealand Islands
Unlike other major landmasses around the world, the New Zealand islands remained untouched from other ecosystems for over 80 million years and were only inhabited about 700 years ago by the Polynesian people. Because of this, birds, reptiles, fish, and plants have had the ability to evolve independently from the rest of the world.
However, the North and South Islands are very different because they are located on two separate tectonic plates. The North Island is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a ring of geothermal and volcanic activity that encircles the Pacific Ocean. The climate is warmer and more tropical than the South Island. It also has volcanic activity and landscapes that make it so distinct from any other part of the world. In addition, the warmth of the North Island made it more attractive for the Polynesian people to settle primarily on this island, impacting future changes to the ecology by introducing human intervention into an untouched world.
In contrast, the South Island is much more temperate with dramatic snow-capped mountains, large glaciers, fiords, and forests. The mountainous expanses of the South Island are what most people recognize as the landscape of New Zealand. And because most of the settlement and population occurs on the North Island, much of the South Island’s nature has remained untouched. While it has been affected by the human introduction of different plants and animals that are not endemic to New Zealand, the nature itself is primarily rugged and raw, which is attractive to those who enjoy nature adventures, including hiking, camping, and more extreme adrenaline activities. In fact, because of the dramatic landscapes and dense nature of the South Island (especially in Fiordland National Park and the Southern Alps), some of the landscapes have not even been trekked through or explored by humans. This is exemplified by the fact that birds that were thought to have gone extinct in New Zealand were rediscovered in Fiordland National Park less than a hundred years ago.
These varied climates are one of the major reasons that the two islands have such different activities for you to do and are both worth visiting.
Cultural Differences of the New Zealand Islands
When it comes to culture, the two islands are also pretty different. The South Island is scarcely populated and this openness and ruggedness is apparent as you drive around the island and see the large expanses of nature around you. (And we recommend renting a car to best experience New Zealand.) The highlight of visiting the South Island is beyond the final destinations that you will come to during your time there. Slowly going between places and taking in the landscapes, breathing in the fresh air while hiking, walking, skydiving, sitting on a bench, etc., and taking it all in with fellow tourists and locals alike is what the South Island is all about.
The North Island has the large majority of the population centers and it is where you will experience the local culture and history of the country, especially celebrations of the Māori migration and inhabitation of the islands starting 700 years ago. The large majority of history in New Zealand occurred on the North Island and today it has the cultural, political, and business centers of the country. This is where you can explore museums, attend sporting events such as rugby matches, and relax in cities and towns that are infused with local personality.
So which island is better? Neither! They are both exciting and full of adventure and a balance between the two islands based on your personal interests is the best way to visit New Zealand.
Why Visit the South Island
The South Island is perfect to dive into beautiful nature. The variety of things to do, while focused on nature and the landscapes around, are truly special because there is something for everyone. For those who are adrenaline junkies, you will find a plethora of adventures, some of which (like bungy jumping or jet boating) were invented in the country. And for those who prefer to stay on solid ground, you can hike throughout the island, go wine tasting, or just drive throughout the island to take in the natural beauty, especially the turquoise colors of the lakes, the snow-capped peaks, the enormous glaciers, and more.
Hiking (Multi-Day and Single Day)
Roy’s Peak in Wanaka outside of Queenstown
The Wine Regions
A vineyard in the Central Otago region
The Turquoise Blue Waters
The Turquoise Blue Waters of Lake Tekapo
Why Visit the North Island
The North Island is full of cultural and geological variety, making it a completely unique place to visit. You can find yourself learning about the local and unique Māori culture, seeing geothermal landscapes, diving into the Lord of the Rings world, and spending time on expansive beaches, all within a few days on the North Island. It is this variety and density of activity that makes the North Island of New Zealand unlike any other place in the world.
Beaches with European-Like Coastal Towns
A town on the coast of the Coromandel Peninsula