The north island is totally different then the south island. You will find more culture on the north island, although i excepted (or hoped) for more culture. Only in Whangarei and Rotorua I was ably to find information about the maori, the original people of New Zealand. Besides culture you can except to see a lot of beautiful nature. In the north you have a beautiful coastline with countless small islands. Or the geysers in Rotorua and the glowworms in Waitomo. The glowworms were amazing, they changed the ceiling of the caves into a ceiling with shining diamonds. And don't forget the most beautiful walk I ever walked in Tongariro. You walk along three beautiful volcano craters.