Northland makes NY Times visit list
When international travel resumes en masse, responsible travellers are being directed to the likes of Northland, New Zealand in an effort to address issues such as overtourism and climate change.
Northland was the only New Zealand destination to feature on the New York Times’ annual ‘‘52 Places’’ list – the publication’s top travel picks for the year.
Unlike previous lists, which focused on the likes of new food scenes, museums and resorts, the 2022 version aims to encourage travellers to help solve the global problems to which tourism contributes.
‘‘[A]s the tourism industry’s Glasgow commitment demonstrates, travel can also be part of the solution, and not only on climate,’’ the publication said of the sector’s commitment to halve carbon emissions by 2030 and reach ‘‘net zero’’ by 2050 at the climate summit in Scotland last November.
The travel industry currency contributes between eight and 11 per cent to global greenhouse gas emissions.
‘‘Travel supports depleted economies in places that depend on tourists’ dollars and opens the eyes of travellers to cultures and customs different from their own.’’
Unusually for travel pieces on Northland, the New York Times didn’t mention the region’s popular beaches. Instead, it highlighted its Māori heritage and attractions, promising that ‘‘endless cultural lessons await’’.
The revamped Ngāwhā Springs – a complex of geothermal pools long treasured by the Ngāpuhi people for their healing properties – were singled out, with writer Daniel Schleffer saying ‘‘visitors can soak in dozens of mineralrich… pools to alleviate pain and repair common ailments’’.
Stuff travel writer Brook Sabin, who said the redeveloped complex near Kaikohe ‘‘has added a touch of luxury to the bathing experience’’, reckons it is on track to become one of Northland’s top attractions.
Te Ahurea, formerly known as Rewa’s Village, also rated a mention, with the New York Times noting that the once rundown attraction ‘‘includes an interactive pā or settlement site highlighting the history and traditions of the Hongi, Rewa and Tāreha Māori Indigeneous peoples’’.
Ngāti Rēhia has transformed the Kerikeri site into a cultural and educational centre complete with rongoā gardens and viewing platforms overlooking the historic basin area.
Tu Tika Tours, run by Te Tai Tokerau (Northland) family the Hardings, was also highlighted.
Born and bred in Whangārei, Mervin and Rangimarie Harding and their five children offer immersive cultural experiences complete with traditional Māori welcome and farewell ceremonies, tours of culturally significant sites such as waterfalls, pā sites and kauri trees and – in the case of the five-hour tour – a morning tea with homemade Māori bread and hāngi lunch.
The publication also recommended eco-retreat Tahi in Pahua North, which donates proceeds to local conservation, culture and community projects.
Other places on the list include Chioggia in Italy, billed as a quieter alternative to Venice (it is actually older than its famous neighbour), and Chimanimani National Park in Mozambique, a country battling Covid-19, climate change and conflict simultaneously. On the border with Zimbabwe, the new national park was praised for its ‘‘ancient rock paintings’’, ‘‘secluded sacred mountains’’, and wildlife such as the miniature squeaker frog and Agama kirkii lizard.
The New York borough of Queens, Northumberland in England, Argentina’s Ibera Park, the Alentejo wine region in Portugal, Greece’s Evia, South Africa and Slovenia also made the list.
In the Asia Pacific region, Red River Delta in Vietnam, Uttarakhand in India, Kyoto in Japan, Australia’s Summerland Peninsula and Daintree Rainforest, and Vanuatu were also highlighted.
The New York Times noted that not all places on the list are open to visitors right now, and the Covid-19 situation in some makes them unsafe to visit, but it hopes it will inspire ‘‘more purposeful, more fulfilling travel in the coming year and beyond’’.