Nestled between Ahipara Bay to the east and Doubtless Bay to the west, the town of Kaitaia is the gateway to the Aupouri Peninsula in the far north of New Zealand. The town’s Māori name means “ample food,” and you’ll find scenic vineyards scattered around the surrounding countryside and gorgeous local produce at the Kaitaia Farmers Market. The city in its current form was founded in the 1830s, and Kaitaia is now the main commercial and administrative center for the Far North District. The Kaitaia area thrives on forestry and logging, with mighty kauri trees growing close by.

If you’re looking for beaches, Kaitaia is located near more than 20, including the sweeping expanse of Ninety Mile Beach, which stretches all the way up the western side of the peninsula. At the northern tip of the beach, near Cape Rēinga, the Te Paki Stream is lined with giant sand dunes that look like they’re straight out of the Sahara. Locals have great fun using them as toboggan runs.

This part of New Zealand has a subtropical climate, with warm summers and wet and mild winters, and the temperature fluctuations between the seasons is relatively gentle — no extreme heat or freezing conditions here. (North American visitors will want to keep in mind that the seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are opposite the ones they’re used to.) However, heavy rains occur throughout the year, with peak precipitation in the winter months of May to September, so whenever you decide to visit, it’s advisable to have wet weather gear handy. Two major events draw visitors to Kaitaia in March every year. The Te Houtaewa Challenge is a marathon event with runs and walks to honor a legendary Māori chief. You’re given a sweet potato at the start, which you need to carry to the finish line at Ahipara. Less strenuous is the annual Snapper Bonanza held on Ninety Mile Beach. Thought to be the biggest snapper surfcasting competition in the world, the event draws a thousand anglers and even more spectators.

Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Rēinga

Tours operate from Kaitaia along the 58-mile-long Ninety Mile Beach (yes, the name isn’t quite exact) to the lighthouse right at the northern tip of New Zealand. Special vehicles are used to drive through the surf on their way north. You can stop off and dig for native tuatua (clams) at low tide or try your hand at bodyboarding down the sand dunes. At Cape Rēinga, you’ll see two oceans collide — the Tasman Sea and the mighty Pacific Ocean. As it’s a sacred Māori site, eating in the area is not permitted.

Herekino Forest Track

You never know what you might come across along the nine miles of the Herekino Forest Track, located 12 miles south of Kaitaia. The trail passes through stands of mature kauri trees, which can grow up to five meters in diameter, and climbs to a peak where you can admire panoramas of the Aupouri Peninsula, Doubtless Bay, and Rangaunu Harbour. You may even get lucky and spot some of New Zealand’s endangered wildlife, such as the North Island brown kiwi or a long-tailed bat.

Museum @ Te Ahu

Coming to this part of New Zealand allows you to learn and understand Māori heritage. The Museum @ Te Ahu has interactive displays telling the story of the seven peoples who have inhabited the area — five Māori tribes and Dalmatian and English settlers. At the heart of Kaitaia, the museum and cultural center also houses the local visitors’ bureau, a cinema, and a theater.