View of Auckland Harbor from The Domain, one of Auckland's lagest parks, which is built atop an extinct volcano cone

The Auckland War Memorial at The Domain

Dominated by the Sky Tower, Auckland's downtown skyline is seen here from atop The Domain at sunset

Dominated by the Sky Tower, Auckland's downtown skyline is seen here from atop The Domain at sunset

A present day Maori warrior

Maori descendants perform traditional dance and music at the Auckland War Museum at The Domain

A Maori long-boat at the Auckland War Museum

A oresent day Maorri woman

The Auckland War Museum

Inside the Auckland War Museum

Sunset at the Auckland War Museum, with the spire of the downtown Sky Tower poking up from downtown

Downtown Auckland at night, with the Sky Tower at left

Downtown Auckland with teh Sky Tower in the background

Close up and personal with Auckland's Sky Tower

Bungee jumping from the Sky Tower

Preparing to jump from the top of the Sky Tower

The descent begins

Free-falling bungee jumper over the downtown skyline

Bungee jumper close to the bottom now

View of Auckland's harbor from the top of the Sky Tower

Another view from the top of the Sky Tower

Looking straight down through the glass floor of the Sky Tower

Newmarket area of Auckland

Newmarket area of Auckland

Newmarket Park - also an extinct volcano cone

Auckland's downtown waterfront

Auckland's downtown waterfront, Sky Tower in the background

Auckland's downtown waterfront

Auckland's ferry terminal at the downtown waterfront

Auckland's downtown waterfront, Sky Tower in the background

The parnell neighborhood in Auckland - they city's oldest suburb and now a delightful area of shops and restaurants

Trains are one means of transport around Auckland

Waiheke Island, known for its many hiking (tramping) trails, is just a short 15 minute ferry ride from Auckland

The trail around the northwest headland

One of the island's many beautiful black sand beaches

Waiheke supports numerous vineyards

Waiheke supports numerous vineyards

A secluded beach,accessedd only by boat or a rugged path

Sand flats at low tide on Oneroa Beach, in Waiheke's main village

Sand surfing on Oneroa Beach's sand flats at low tide

Sand flats at low tide on Oneroa Beach, in Waiheke's main village

A lovely bay and black sand beach just around the corner from the ferry dock, where a multitude of sailboats lie at anchor

Secluded mansions tucked away on cliffs dot the island

The northwest corner of the island opens up to the deeper and rougher waters of the Hauraki Gulf

A hidden black sand beach

Turquoise waters of a bay, leading to vineyard country

Sub-tropical vegetation co-exists in this colder climate

Tide pools at low tide

A beach comprised of volcanic red sands

Black sand tide pools

An Anglican Church in the village of Paihia

Paihia, famous as the site where the treaty between the English and the Maori was signed, creating the country of New Zealand

The village of Paihia

Maori totems decorate the local school yard

Paihia's red sand beach

Paihia bay at sunset

Paihia harbor at sunset

Paihia harbor at sunset

Paihia harbor at sunset

Paihia harbor at sunset

Paihia harbor at sunset

Kaori tree trunks, dug from ancient swamps, await carving into furniture and other wood crafts

One of the few remaining kaori forests in the Northlands

The landscape is incredibly green

The Dune Rider traverses 90 Mile Beach on the way to Cape Reinga, the northernmost tip of New Zealand

Stopping at the trickiest part of the trip to Cape Reinga - if the driver times it wrong, this outcropping of rocks bars the way at high tide

Rock outcropping on the way to Cape Reinga

From the top of the rock outcropping on 90 Mile Beach

From the top of the rock outcropping on 90 Mile Beach

From the top of the rock outcropping on 90 Mile Beach

Surf fishing at the base of the rock outcropping

Cape Reinga Lighthouse - the northernmost tip of New Zealand

Cape Reinga Lighthouse - the northernmost tip of New Zealand

Cape Reinga Lighthouse - the northernmost tip of New Zealand

Cape Reinga Lighthouse - the northernmost tip of New Zealand

Cape Reinga Lighthouse - the northernmost tip of New Zealand

View from Cape Reinga Lighthouse

Tapotupotu Bay

The river that runs along Tapotupotu Bay

Sandboarding the dunes on the way to Cape Reinga

Sandboarding the dunes on the way to Cape Reinga

Sandboarding the dunes on the way to Cape Reinga

Sandboarding the dunes on the way to Cape Reinga

Sandboarding the dunes on the way to Cape Reinga

Sandboarding the dunes on the way to Cape Reinga

The way is blocked by a flock of sheet

ashing salt from the Dune Rider after leaving Cape Reinga