Agricultural Regions of New Zealand

New Zealand

Northland/Auckland

This region has a sub-tropical climate and is bounded to the south by New Zealand's largest city, Auckland. Northland is New Zealand's fourth largest dairy producing region.

The climate and soils of the Waikato make it one of the most productive grass growing regions in the world. For this reason, the Waikato is New Zealand's most important dairy region and is the site of the Ruakura Research Centre, internationally known for dairy research.

Taranaki

The beautifully symmetric cone of the dormant volcano, Mount Taranaki, dominates this region. The consistent year-round rainfall and the porous volcanic soils make Taranaki ideally suited for dairying; it is our second most important dairying region. Taranaki is also the site of New Zealand's petrochemical industry, an important producer of natural gas and oil.

Manawatu/Horowhenua

The relatively even spread of rainfall and the flat plains of the Manawatu/Horowhenua make it an important region for arable, dairy, sheep and beef farming, and for the production of processed and fresh vegetables, especially potatoes.

Nelson/Marlborough

At the top of the South Island and protected by mountain ranges on both sides, Nelson/Marlborough boasts some of the sunniest year-round weather in New Zealand. The region is an important fine wool producer, and New Zealand's second most important horticultural region. It is the only region in New Zealand producing hops. Wines from Nelson/Marlborough have won international acclaim. It is also an important forestry, fishing and shellfish region.

Otago/Southland

In the deep south of the country lie Otago and Southland. The central areas of Otago, on the shoulders of the Southern Alps, are known as the High Country. Central Otago, in the rain shadow of the Alps, has hot dry summers and cold winters and produces fine merino wool. Lower parts of Otago and Southland are important for sheep, deer and cattle, and increasingly for dairy production.

West Coast

The West Coast of the South Island is a narrow strip of coastal plain backed by the Southern Alps. These mountains and the predominant westerly winds combine to make this region New Zealand's wettest. At the southern border of the region is the Fiordland National Park with its deep fiords fed by an average annual rainfall of over eight metres.

Central North Island and
the Bay of Plenty

The Central North Island incorporates the Central Plateau, the high tussock plains resulting from the volcanic activity of the three main mountains, Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. Historically, however, the greatest volcanic activity arose from Taupo, now New Zealand's largest lake and a renowned trout fishery. The volcanic plateau is New Zealand's major area of production forests. The land closer to the coast is an important dairying area, and well known as our premier kiwifruit producing region. This region is also important for deer farming.

East Coast of the North Island

The relatively dry climate of the East Coast of the North Island makes the region an excellent producer of sheep and cattle and grower of grapes, particularly Chardonnay. Much of the country is very steep, however, and prone to erosion.

Hawkes Bay

In the central area of the eastern coast of the North Island is Hawkes Bay. The region is dominated by sheep and beef farming, and is New Zealand's premier pipfruit and summerfruit production area. The hot dry summers of the region make it a premium grape growing and wine making region, especially for Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

Wairarapa

The hot dry summers of the Wairarapa make it an ideal region for sheep and beef production. The climate is also suitable for grape growing, and the Martinborough region in central Wairarapa is internationally known for its Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc wines.

Canterbury

sheep The broad plains of Canterbury, watered by the snow-fed braided rivers flowing from the Southern Alps, form a premium sheep, deer and arable cropping area. Irrigation is used extensively to improve production as the summers are hot and dry, and winters are relatively mild and wet. As a consequence, the region is also becoming increasingly important for dairy and process crop production. The garden city of Christchurch, a city evocative of its English foundation, and the site of the earliest Canterbury settlement, services the region.