The North Island of New Zealand is the smaller and most populous of the southwestern Pacific Ocean nation’s two main islands. Like its southern sibling, the North Island is a geologically active area comprising numerous volcanic peaks, lava fields, and other landforms that were forged through the tectonic processes of the Pacific Rim of Fire.
Due to its dynamic and relatively recent genesis, the North Island beholds a diverse trove of natural sights to explore from the air. These include a variety of peaks, lakes, sand dunes, rivers, and coastlines. The North Island is also a region teeming with human geography, both historic and modern. Sights range from solitary pastoral cottages to glimmering urban skylines.
This journey begins in the northernmost aspect of the island, the Aupouri Peninsula, part of the Far North District. The flight plan weaves southward, visiting both coasts, the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, and myriad locations in the interior. It ends at Wellington, the capital of New Zealand and the country’s most populous city.
Total Legs: 8 Total Distance: 590 Total Time(125kts): 4 hours 43 minutes
Leg 1
Kaitaia to Whangārei
Leg Distance: 80.8 Approximate time at 125kts: 39 minutes.
Kaitaia(NZKT) to Kaitaia City(POI1)
Distance: 2.76NM Bearing: 187° 1 minutes
After lifting off from Kaitaia Airport, head south-southwest toward Kaitaia, the farthest north large town in New Zealand.
Kaitaia City(POI1) to Victoria Valley(POI2)
Distance: 7.72NM Bearing: 89° 4 minutes
Once over Kaitaia, turn into an east-southeast heading and follow State Highway 1 and the Victoria River to the small hamlet of Victoria Valley.
Victoria Valley(POI2) to Mangamuka Summit(POI3)
Distance: 3.27NM Bearing: 118° 2 minutes
Continue tracking State Highway 1 up through its sinuous route into the Maungataniwha Range. Called by the locals in the area the Mangamuka, significant line of peaks stretches from east to west coast in this section of the Northland Peninsula. Pass over Mangamuka Summit, the highway’s high point through the range.
Mangamuka Summit(POI3) to Mangamuka Marae(POI4)
Distance: 4.22NM Bearing: 87° 2 minutes
From Mangamuka Summit, continue to the east-southeast to Mangamuka Marae, a sacred altar in this part of New Zealand.
Mangamuka Marae(POI4) to Mangamuka River(POI5)
Distance: 4.89NM Bearing: 166° 2 minutes
From Mangamuka Marae, turn to the south and gain a visual on the northern arm of Hokianga Harbour. Follow the Mangamuka River, which flows south from Mangamuka Marae, to where it flows into Hokianga Harbour.
Mangamuka River(POI5) to Rangiahua(POI6)
Distance: 5.14NM Bearing: 78° 2 minutes
Turn to the east and sight Highway 1. Fly over its route to the town of Rangiahua.
Rangiahua(POI6) to Lake Omapere(POI7)
Distance: 8.18NM Bearing: 91° 4 minutes
From Rangiahua, gain a visual on the circular Lake Omapere. The lake was formed when a lava flow created a blockage on the lake’s north side, allowing it to fill with water.
Lake Omapere(POI7) to Kaikohe(POI8)
Distance: 3.4NM Bearing: 153° 2 minutes
From Lake Omapere, turn south and fly over the town of Kaikohe, the largest town in this part of New Zealand.
Kaikohe(POI8) to Awarua(POI9)
Distance: 10.6NM Bearing: 151° 5 minutes
Continue south from Kaikohe, gaining a visual on Kaikohe Aerodrome. Pass just to the west of Kaikohe Aerodrome and follow the course of Mangakahia Road, the primary north-south corridor in this section of New Zealand. Sight the small community of Awarua, which lies at the intersection of the Awaua River and Mangakahia Road.
Awarua(POI9) to Pakotai(POI10)
Distance: 7.05NM Bearing: 137° 3 minutes
From Awarua, maintain a general southerly heading, turning slightly to the east, and continue to track the corridor through which Mangakahia Road runs. Admire the Mangakahia Forest to the east and the Marlborough Forest to the west, then pass over the Opouteke River, which leads to the village of Pakotai.
Pakotai(POI10) to Maungatapere(POI11)
Distance: 15.9NM Bearing: 86° 8 minutes
Turn onto an east-southeast course at Pakotai and follow the general course of the winding Mangakahia Road to the village of Maungatapere, located where State Highway 14 crosses Mangakahia Road.
Maungatapere(POI11) to Whangārei(NZWR)
Distance: 7.67NM Bearing: 77° 4 minutes
Continue on course, flying over a quarry and then land at Whangārei Airport, which lies on a small peninsula on the north end of Whangārei Harbour. Whangārei Harbour is an important industrial center in New Zealand, notably due to its coal terminal and oil refinery.
Leg 2
Whangārei to North Shore
Leg Distance: 62.25 Approximate time at 125kts: 30 minutes.
Whangārei(NZWR) to Parua Bay(POI12)
Distance: 3.84NM Bearing: 84° 2 minutes
After lifting off from Whangārei Airport, set an east-southeast heading and sight a small peninsula, the south end of which is called Manganese Point. Fly over the narrow strip of land and pass by Parua Bay, located on the northern aspect of Whangārei Harbour.
Parua Bay(POI12) to One Tree Point(POI13)
Distance: 2.65NM Bearing: 149° 1 minutes
Turn south at Parua Bay, flying over Shell Cut Reach on the eastern end of Whangārei Harbour, to pass over One Tree Point, a coastal community on the shores of Marsden Bay.
One Tree Point(POI13) to Waipu(WAIPU)
Distance: 9.34NM Bearing: 164° 4 minutes
From One Tree Point, head south, passing over Marsden City and then track just inland of the shore of Bream Bay, which opens to the Pacific Ocean. Waipu, a town that lies at the confluence of the Waipu River and the Ahuroa River, lies just ahead.
Waipu(WAIPU) to Mangawhai Harbour(POI14)
Distance: 10.23NM Bearing: 120° 5 minutes
From Waipu, sight Bream Tail, the point of land that defines the southern extremity of Bream Bay. Remaining inland of the shore of Bream Bay, pass just to the west of Bream Tail and sight Mangawhai Harbour.
Mangawhai Harbour(POI14) to Te Arai(POI15)
Distance: 6.67NM Bearing: 161° 3 minutes
Set a course due south from Mangawhai Harbour and parallel the general pathway of Mangawhai Road, admiring the countryside of rolling hills and forest. Pass over Te Arai in the vicinity of where Mangawhai Road turns from a north-south heading to an east-west track. Te Arai is an area renowned on the North Island for its agriculture.
Te Arai(POI15) to Wayby(WAYBY)
Distance: 6.49NM Bearing: 175° 3 minutes
From Te Arai, turn onto a heading just west of due south and head inland. Follow the corridor through which Waiteitei Road, the primary thoroughfare in the immediate vicinity, passes. In the distance, sight Springhill Airport, which lies just to the north of State Highway 1. Wayby, a small agricultural village, lies just south of State Highway 1 and just west of the airport.
Wayby(WAYBY) to Warkworth(POI16)
Distance: 7.15NM Bearing: 106° 3 minutes
At Wayby, follow State Highway 1 southeast through the Dome Forest to the town of Warkworth, which lies where the Mahurangi River meets Mahurangi Harbour on the North Island’s east coast. Warkworth lies in the heart of the country’s Kowhai Coast, which is named for the kowhai tree, which is native to the area.
Warkworth(POI16) to Orewa(OREWA)
Distance: 11.33NM Bearing: 154° 5 minutes
From Warkworth, head to the south, following the general track of State Highway 1, flying just inland of the coast. This section grants excellent views of the complex series of estuaries, bays, and natural harbors that defines this section of the North Island. Passing over Johnstone Hill, which lies just to the west of the juncture of State Highway 1 and the Hibiscus Coast Highway, gain a visual on Orewa, a northern suburb of Auckland. Orewa lies on the northern end of Whangaparaoa Bay, the heart of the North Island’s Hibiscus Coast, which is a renowned destination due to its long stretches of inviting white sand beaches.
Orewa(OREWA) to North Shore(NZNE)
Distance: 4.55NM Bearing: 178° 2 minutes
At Orewa, turn on to a south-southwest heading, flying inland and pass over the intersection of State Highway 1 and Dairy Flat Highway. Gain a visual on the North Shore Aerodrome and land.
Leg 3
North Shore to Pauanui Beach
Leg Distance: 75.11 Approximate time at 125kts: 36 minutes.
North Shore(NZNE) to Auckland(POI17)
Distance: 12.08NM Bearing: 140° 6 minutes
Lift back into the sky from North Shore Aerodrome and set a south-southeast heading, paralleling State Highway 1 (staying just to its west). Fly over the northern reaches of Auckland’s suburbs, including Albany, Bayview, and Birkenhead. Gain a visual on the Waitemata Harbour and the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Fly just to the west of the bridge to pass over the heart of Auckland. With a metropolitan population of 1.7 million, Auckland is the most populous city in New Zealand. The city is renowned for a number of reasons, notably its beautiful skyline, its large Polynesian population (the largest in the world), and its hospitality.
Auckland(POI17) to Firth of Thames(POI18)
Distance: 29.91NM Bearing: 91° 14 minutes
Turn to the southeast and fly just inland of the Port of Auckland, then over the southern edge of Hobson Bay, enjoying city, coastal, and suburban vistas. Cross over the Tamaki River, just south of where it enters the Hauraki Gulf, then pass over a series of estuaries and some low forested hills. Sight the Firth of Thames ahead, which is an inlet of the Hauraki Gulf, into which the Waihou and the Piako Rivers flow.
Firth of Thames(POI18) to Thames(POI19)
Distance: 12.54NM Bearing: 103° 6 minutes
Pass over the Firth of Thames, heading in a southeast direction, and sight the Waihou River where it empties into the southeastern corner of the Firth of Thames. Pass over the town of Thames, which is located just to the north of the mouth of the Waihou River on the southwestern corner of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Thames(POI19) to Mobil Kopu(POI20)
Distance: 3.14NM Bearing: 137° 2 minutes
Turn to the south, flying along the eastern edge of the upper Waihou River. Pass Thames Aerodrome, then sight Mobil Kopu, a small town at the intersection of State Highway 25 and State Highway 26.
Mobil Kopu(POI20) to C.J.W. Parsons Memorial(POI21)
Distance: 5.83NM Bearing: 47° 3 minutes
From Mobil Kopu, turn into an east-northeast heading and follow the general path of State Highway 25A to C.J.W. Parsons Memorial. The memorial lies at the high point of the highway and offers spectacular vistas of the rolling, forested terrain of the lower Coromandel Peninsula.
C.J.W. Parsons Memorial(POI21) to Tairua River(POI22)
Distance: 7.94NM Bearing: 29° 4 minutes
From C.J.W. Parsons Memorial, continue on a northeast heading, following the Highway 25A corridor to the Tairua River just east of the Tairua River Airfield.
Tairua River(POI22) to Pauanui Beach(NZUN)
Distance: 3.67NM Bearing: 27° 2 minutes
Sight the Pauanui Beach Airfield just ahead and touch back down. The airfield lies on a tiny point of land bounded on the west by Tairua Harbour and on the east by the Pacific Ocean.
Leg 4
Pauanui Beach to Rotorua
Leg Distance: 76.16 Approximate time at 125kts: 37 minutes.
Pauanui Beach(NZUN) to Whangamata(POI23)
Distance: 11.29NM Bearing: 157° 5 minutes
After take-off from Pauanui Aerodrome, head due south, flying just inland of the Pacific coastline, and pass over Wharekawa Harbour. Sight Whangamata Harbour in the distance. Whangamata lies on the southern end of Whangamata Harbour, where it opens to the Pacific Ocean’s Bay of Plenty. The Bay of Plenty was named in 1769 by British explorer and cartographer James Cook due to the copious amount of food available in the region.
Whangamata(POI23) to Waihi Beach(POI24)
Distance: 12.11NM Bearing: 144° 6 minutes
Continue tracking the coastline, just inland of the Bay of Plenty. Pass over the village of Whiritoa and then reach Waihi Beach.
Waihi Beach(POI24) to Matakana Island(POI25)
Distance: 10.55NM Bearing: 135° 5 minutes
Fly along a low, sandy spit and then reach Matakana Island, which lies within Tauranga Harbour. Tauranga Harbour is a large estuary created by the flow of two river systems into the Pacific Ocean.
Matakana Island(POI25) to Tauranga(POI26)
Distance: 8.53NM Bearing: 122° 4 minutes
Continue on course, flying to the south end of Tauranga Harbour, to reach the city of Tauranga. A major coastal destination, Tauranga is the fifth most populous city in New Zealand with over 150,000 inhabitants.
Tauranga(POI26) to Paengaroa(POI27)
Distance: 15.48NM Bearing: 103° 7 minutes
From Tauranga, continue on a south-southeasterly course, paralleling State Highway 2, to reach the rural community of Paengaroa.
Paengaroa(POI27) to Lake Rotoiti(POI28)
Distance: 12.19NM Bearing: 165° 6 minutes
Turn onto a south-southwest heading and follow State Highway 33 to Lake Rotoiti. The lake is the middle of a line of lakes of the Okataina Caldera, an active volcanic structure.
Lake Rotoiti(POI28) to Rotorua(NZRO)
Distance: 6.01NM Bearing: 189° 3 minutes
From Lake Rotoiti, turn onto a southwest heading and sight the eastern shore of Lake Rotorua, which lies to the southwest of Lake Rotoiti. Land at Rotorua Airport, which lies along the eastern shore of the lake.
Leg 5
Rotorua to Taumarunui
Leg Distance: 72.45 Approximate time at 125kts: 35 minutes.
Rotorua(NZRO) to Haparangi(POI29)
Distance: 9.46NM Bearing: 194° 5 minutes
After launching from Rotorua Airport, head to the southwest, passing over State Highway 5, which runs north-south, and then skirt State Highway 30. Sight Haparangi, a regional high point. At 2,306 feet above sea level, Haparangi is one of the highest points of the Kaweka Range of peaks, which dominates this part of the North Island.
Haparangi(POI29) to Lake Ohakuri(POI30)
Distance: 11.35NM Bearing: 181° 5 minutes
From Haparangi, scan to the southwest to see a prominent T-shaped reservoir, Lake Ohakuri. The lake was created in 1960 with the completion of a dam on the Waikato River.
Lake Ohakuri(POI30) to Lake Taupo(POI31)
Distance: 19.44NM Bearing: 197° 9 minutes
From Lake Ohakuri, continue to the southwest, sighting Lake Taupo. Lake Taupo is the largest lake in New Zealand (by surface area). It formed by natural flooding of the caldera of Taupo Volcano, a massive rhyolitic volcano. Rhyolitic refers to the type of magma involved with the formation of the volcano, and is very viscous and hence subject to massive, violent eruptions. Fly to the north end of Lake Taupo, which grants excellent views of the entire region.
Lake Taupo(POI31) to Waituhi Scenic Lookout(POI32)
Distance: 18.47NM Bearing: 210° 9 minutes
Continue on a southwestern course to Waituhi Scenic Lookout, which grants terrestrial visitors exquisite views of the volcanic landscapes and forests of the region.
Waituhi Scenic Lookout(POI32) to Taringamotu(POI33)
Distance: 11.13NM Bearing: 260° 5 minutes
Turn onto a west-northwest course and gain a visual on the Taringamotu in the distance where it meets Taringamotu Road. Follow the road and the river to Taringamotu, a small community in the area.
Taringamotu(POI33) to Taumarunui(NZTM)
Distance: 2.6NM Bearing: 225° 1 minutes
From Taringamotu, head in a west-southwesterly direction, paralleling both the Taringamotu River and Taringamotu Road and land at Taumarunui Airport.
Leg 6
Taumarunui to Norfolk
Leg Distance: 65.06 Approximate time at 125kts: 31 minutes.
Taumarunui(NZTM) to Taumarunui(POI34)
Distance: 2.67NM Bearing: 164° 1 minutes
After lifting into the sky from Taumarunui Airport, head to the south a short distance to reach the small town of Taumarunui.
Taumarunui(POI34) to Aukopae(POI35)
Distance: 9.26NM Bearing: 234° 4 minutes
From Taumarunui, continue on a west-southwest course, gaining a visual on State Highway 43 (River Road). This section of the highway has been dubbed the Forgotten World Highway due to its remote nature, that many find mysterious. Sight where River Road intersects a prominent, complex bend in the Ohura River. Just to the south of this intersection lies the tiny hamlet of Aukopae.
Aukopae(POI35) to Tahora(POI36)
Distance: 13.84NM Bearing: 220° 7 minutes
Turn slightly to the south and pass over the Ohura River, then follow State Highway 43, staying to its south. Pass over the Tangarakau River and then reach the tiny settlement of Tahora.
Tahora(POI36) to Okoki(OKOKI)
Distance: 14.82NM Bearing: 253° 7 minutes
Head just north of due west from Tahora, flying over the Makino Forest. Find the intersection of two narrow dirt roads, Rerekino Road (north-south) and Makino Road (east-west). Pass over this intersection and continue flying over the Rerekino Forest. Pass to the north of an unnamed airstrip and then follow the corridor of the narrow, dirt Kaka Road, which leads to the tiny outpost of Okoki.
Okoki(OKOKI) to Urenui(POI37)
Distance: 4.6NM Bearing: 260° 2 minutes
Adjust heading slightly to the north and sight the North Taranaki Bight, a large bay that is part of the Tasman Sea. The town of Urenui lies where the Urenui River empties into the southern portion of the North Taranaki Bight.
Urenui(POI37) to New Plymouth(POI38)
Distance: 7.67NM Bearing: 245° 4 minutes
From Urenui, follow State Highway 3 (Main North Road) west to the city of New Plymouth. New Plymouth, named for the origin of the town’s first settlers (Plymouth, in South West England), and is one of the major cities on the west coast of the North Island.
New Plymouth(POI38) to Inglewood(POI39)
Distance: 9.11NM Bearing: 165° 4 minutes
From New Plymouth, head south, following State Highway 3A to the town of Inglewood, which lies in one of New Zealand’s most productive dairy farming regions.
Inglewood(POI39) to Norfolk(NZNF)
Distance: 3.09NM Bearing: 142° 1 minutes
Continue following State Highway 3A south from Inglewood and land at Norfolk Aerodrome.
Leg 7
Norfolk to Whanganui
Leg Distance: 69.87 Approximate time at 125kts: 34 minutes.
Norfolk(NZNF) to Mount Taranaki(POI40)
Distance: 8.41NM Bearing: 207° 4 minutes
After launching from Norfolk Aerodrome, set a course to the southwest for Mount Taranaki. Mount Taranaki is a prominent stratovolcano that rises off the Tasman Sea to an altitude of 8,261 feet above sea level, making it the second highest peak on the North Island.
Mount Taranaki(POI40) to Häwera(POI41)
Distance: 19.47NM Bearing: 131° 9 minutes
HÄwera: From Mount Taranaki, head southeast and sight the South Taranaki Bight, a large bay anchored on its north end by the prominence of land formed by Mount Taranaki. The city of HÄwera lies at the junction of State Highway 3 (north-south) and State Highway 45 (east-west) at the South Taranaki Bight.
Häwera(POI41) to Mana Bay(POI42)
Distance: 14.72NM Bearing: 117° 7 minutes
Follow the coastline southeast from HÄwera to Mana Bay, a popular beach area located where the Patea River meets the South Taranaki Bight.
Mana Bay(POI42) to Waiinu Beach(POI43)
Distance: 13.1NM Bearing: 93° 6 minutes
Continue on a southeasterly course, following the coastline, to Waiinu Beach.
Waiinu Beach(POI43) to Castlecliff Beach(POI44)
Distance: 11.55NM Bearing: 91° 6 minutes
Pass over a small cove to reach Castlecliff Beach, known for its volcanic, black sand beaches.
Castlecliff Beach(POI44) to Whanganui(NZWU)
Distance: 2.62NM Bearing: 98° 1 minutes
Continuing to follow the shoreline, pass over Whanganui River and land at Whanganui Airport.
Leg 8
Whanganui to Wellington Intl
Leg Distance: 88.11 Approximate time at 125kts: 42 minutes.
Whanganui(NZWU) to Koitiata(POI45)
Distance: 8.55NM Bearing: 119° 4 minutes
After lifting off from Whanganui Airport, track the coastline to the tiny beach settlement of Koitiata.
Koitiata(POI45) to Himatangi Beach(POI46)
Distance: 18.4NM Bearing: 144° 9 minutes
Fly along the gently arcing coastline to reach Himatangi Beach, the location of the most expansive dune field in New Zealand.
Himatangi Beach(POI46) to Hokio Beach(POI47)
Distance: 13.65NM Bearing: 167° 7 minutes
From Himatangi Beach, continue along the shore to fly over the community of Hokio Beach.
Hokio Beach(POI47) to Waikawa Beach(POI48)
Distance: 5.7NM Bearing: 173° 3 minutes
From Hokio Beach, fly past Waikawa Beach, located where Waikawa Stream meets the South Taranaki Bight.
Waikawa Beach(POI48) to Paraparaumu(POI49)
Distance: 13.76NM Bearing: 187° 7 minutes
Continue along the coast to reach Paraparaumu, a town that is part of the Kapiti Coast District of the Wellington region.
Paraparaumu(POI49) to Paremata(POI50)
Distance: 14.34NM Bearing: 181° 7 minutes
From Paraparaumu, continue tracking the coastline and sight Porirua Harbour, an inlet of the Tasman Sea. The city of Parameta lies on the northeastern aspect of Porirua Harbour where it meets Ivey Bay.
Paremata(POI50) to Wellington Intl(NZWN)
Distance: 13.71NM Bearing: 169° 7 minutes
Gain a visual on Wellington Harbour and locate Wellington Airport at its southern end. Fly over the water to the east of Wellington, admiring its skyline, and land, bringing this journey to an end.
