Verified companions in New Zealand

New Zealand's largest city, built across an isthmus between two harbours, with a CBD and Viaduct waterfront, Ponsonby and Parnell on the ridges, and the North Shore over the bridge. A third of the country's population and most of its international arrivals.

The compact, hilly capital, with Parliament and the ministries at one end of the CBD and Cuba Street and Courtenay Place at the other, all within a walk of the waterfront. Government and film-industry travel through the year.

The South Island's largest city, with a central city rebuilt since the 2011 earthquakes around the Avon River, Riccarton to the west, and the airport as the gateway to the southern ski fields. Business and adventure travel both pass through.

The Waikato's main city on the river south of Auckland, with a central city along Victoria Street and the university to the east. Agriculture business, the university and events at the stadium bring visitors.

A fast-growing Bay of Plenty port city, with a small CBD on the harbour and the beach suburb of Mount Maunganui across the bridge. Summer holiday traffic and cruise calls set the season.

A university city at the head of Otago Harbour, with a Victorian city centre around the Octagon and the student quarter of North Dunedin. The university and the hospital drive most travel.

A lakeside resort town in the Southern Alps, with a compact centre of hotels and bars, Frankton near the airport, and ski fields in winter and adventure tourism in summer. Almost entirely a leisure market.