The Photos on the North Island that Everyone Takes
Well, there’s no such thing as originality, so the best way to approach taking photos in New Zealand is to do what everyone else is doing. All these photos of the North Island have been tried and tested to ensure you that all your friends and loved ones will be insanely jealous when they see them. From Hobbit Holes to Maori Hongis, you’ll want all these photos on your New Zealand bucket list of the North Island!
Oh don’t worry, there’s more on the South Island too: 10 Token Tourist Photos You Have to Take on the South Island.
1. Going into a Hobbit Hole
Pretend to be a Hobbit going over to a friend’s house for elevenses, or steal some Hobbit mail, or whatever! It’s also one of the 10 Unique & Unusual Things to Do on the North Island.
Location: Hobbiton, North Island
2. Hug a Kauri Tree
You can’t capture the magnificence of these trees without hugging them. Disclaimer: Only hug a Kauri tree which is protected by boardwalks. Kauri dieback disease spreads by standing on the roots so help prevent it by only hugging a selected tree.
Location: Northland, North Island
3. Sign at Cape Reinga
Everyone wants a photo of a sign pointing to their home country, showing how far they have travelled by posing next to the sign at Cape Reinga!
Location: Cape Reinga, North Island
4. Writing on Your Hand for a Skydive
A favourite token tourist photo of the North Island is skydiving with something witty written on your hands. We even did it ourselves for Day 300 of New Zealand’s Biggest Gap Year web series where we did 365 Days: 365 Activities in New Zealand.
Location: Could be in all these places: 11 Places to Skydive in New Zealand.
5. Standing Next to the Champagne Pool
Just popped out for a bit of shopping, stopped off at The Champagne Pool on the way no biggie. Check out this geothermal feature at Wai-O-Tapu near Rotorua.
Location: Rotorua, North Island
6. Santa Hat on the Beach
Of course, this is just a seasonal photo. But there is no better way to make your family jealous at Christmas. For more things to do for Christmas in New Zealand, see here.
Location: Any beach in NZ!
7. Literally Climbing Mt Doom
If in doubt just think, WWFASD? (What would Frodo and Sam do?). And for more LOTR locations, feast your eyes on 23 Lord of the Rings Locations You Can’t Miss in New Zealand.
Location: Mt Ngauruhoe, North Island
8. Get Licked by the Giant Dog
Tirau, in the Waikato region, has a giant sheep and a giant dog.
Location: Tirau, North Island
9. Maori Greeting
Get face-to-face with a Maori… literally, with the traditional greeting called a Hongi. Maori will be happy to show you a Hongi at one of these cultural experiences.
Location: Rotorua, North Island
10. Jandals on the Beach
Because you are one crazy cat! There are many awesome beaches in the North Island to get this token tourist photo.
Location: Any beach in NZ!
Author
Laura S.
This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in New Zealand over 10 years ago and with a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to travel New Zealand. She knows Aotearoa inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience New Zealand’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides and is the co-host of NZ Pocket Guide’s live New Zealand travel Q&As on YouTube.