A Snob’s Guide to New Zealand (2025)

Once upon a time, you might have been hard-pressed to find European ready-to-wear, Michelin-starred cuisine, or blue-chip art in New Zealand—even in Auckland, its most cosmopolitan city. Then that all began to change circa 2017, when the billionaires, fueled by doomsday fears and a certain presidential election, started moving in. The country’s geographic isolation—once considered a limiting barrier to entry—had become its greatest asset (that it’s breathtakingly beautiful helps, too).

It still is, for obvious reasons: The day after the 2024 election, registrations from the U.S. to the Live & Work New Zealand website saw a 6,500% increase, while traffic to the official immigration site soared to 91,000, up from a daily average of 7,000. Yes, we’re having a déjà vu moment: In the aftermath of the 2016 election, 56,000 Americans inquired about visas within 24 hours of the results.

But being far, far away from politics and apocalyptic concerns is only part of New Zealand’s charm. There are also the pristine beaches, the majestic alpine landscapes, the sprawling wineries dotting lush rolling hills, and now an array of new places to stay, shop, and dine throughout both the North and South Islands. Getting there is significantly easier, too, as Air New Zealand continues to expand its network of direct flights and is set to launch its new Business Premier Luxe service this year, which comes with perks like privacy doors and spaces to dine with another passenger, things typically reserved for private jets. (Considering the 18-hour flight from New York is one of the longest journeys in the world, the appeal of flying comfortably cannot be overstated.)

And it’s perfect timing for the wave of travelers visiting over the summer season (which is from December to the end of March). “We are seeing a huge surge in demand for New Zealand, which is one of our top destinations worldwide and was last year as well,” says Eliza Harris, COO of Indagare.

Jaclyn Sienna India, founder of Sienna Charles, a travel concierge to the one percent, has also seen an uptick in demand, particularly among her most deep-pocketed of clients. “They are drawn to its stunning natural beauty, clean food, and opportunities for wellness and outdoor adventure,” she says. And to its unique character: “New Zealand remains a place that doesn’t try to cater to everyone.” A hedonistic playground it is not; the vibe is distinctly different from renowned summer hotspots like Mykonos, Capri, and Ibiza. Likewise, over the winter months, you won’t find any chinchilla-clad influencers spraying champagne around on the ski fields as you might in Aspen.Instead, India says, “it attracts those seeking tranquility and exclusivity.”

Whether you are overdue for a second (or third) visit, or you’re seriously considering a real estate investment, or you simply want to see what all the fuss is about, a comprehensive guide, below, to discovering your own slice of New Zealand paradise.

For Alpine Adventure

Queenstown

With unparalleled scenery, a thriving wine scene, and lodges that count royals and rockstars as regulars, Queenstown has evolved into much more than just an adrenaline junkie’s playground.The adventure activities that originally put it on the map remain: heli-skiing, speedboating through scenic rivers, intrepid hikes, and, of course, bungee jumping into cavernous gorges (this is basically where the extreme sport was invented). And the region is a gateway to some of New Zealand’s most renowned national parks and hiking trails, including Mount Aspiring National Park, Fiordland National Park, and the Kepler Track.

But in recent years, the luxury scene has boomed, too, and become just as enticing as those otherworldly mountain landscapes. Fabulous five-star properties abound, from the Carlin, a gem of a boutique hotel right in the center of town, to the OG Matakauri, which—along with sister properties Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers in the north—recently joined the Rosewood portfolio. Eichardt’s Private Hotel, the city’s longtime grande dame located on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, has also been revamped with opulent interiors, a fireside cocktail bar, a row of lakefront apartments, and a sprawling $20,000-a-night penthouse located above an alpine-themed Louis Vuitton boutique. And about a 40-minute drive away in Glenorchy is Blanket Bay, a treasured refuge for those looking to go off the grid in style.

The latest talk of the town is Ayrburn, a gastronomic mecca in nearby Arrowtown. “We wanted to create a destination where locals and visitors alike could spend the day with friends and family to simply enjoy being together over world-class food and wine,” says Chris Meehan, CEO of Winton, the real estate development firm behind the $200 million project. “With five indoor venues and an abundance of outdoor spaces for dining and meandering, Ayrburn is a place to stay a while for an all-in good time.”

While you’re in Arrowtown, stop into Muse, New Zealand’s leading multi-brand boutique, which recently opened a location in this historic gold mining village. Expect to find a curated edit of fashion from beloved local designers such as Maggie Marilyn and Harris Tapper, as well as contemporary brands from New York and Europe (think Khaite, Marni, Coperni, and Saint Laurent).And don’t miss the Remarkable Sweet Store for its famous crème brulee fudge and the Royalburn Farm Shop, an Amber Waves-esque market created by celebrity chef Nadia Lim.

As for the spa scene, take the advice of beauty entrepreneur Jaimee Lupton (she is the founder of hair and skincare brands like Monday, Osāna Naturals, and Chalon Paris), who recommends a face sculpting massage, “or any treatment, really,” from Olga Newman at Face Up Beauty.

As for when to go, that’s the best part. Queenstown is great whether you’re in pursuit of sun or snow. “It offers a summer escape from November to March, and is a cool climate destination [for skiing] during the U.S. summer vacation season,” says Stephane Massarini, managing director of Rosewood’s New Zealand resorts.

For a Hamptons Vibe

Waiheke Island

An escape that is at once low-key but still quite posh, Waiheke (pronounced why-heck-ee), which is commonly referred to as the Hamptons of NZ, is a 40-minute boat ride from downtown Auckland (or 12 minutes by helicopter). Like many holiday locales near big cities, it has bohemian origins and was once a laidback artists’ enclave.The one percenters eventually caught on—nowadays, there are multimillion-dollar mansions, artisan cafes, art galleries, and elegant vineyards with panoramic coastal views.

The wineries, many of which host music festivals and jazz concerts in the summer, are naturally a weekend hotspot for Aucklanders. And given there are more than 30 wineries in the region, none ever feel too crowded, even during peak season. The most notable ones to visit include Tantalus, Cable Bay, Batch Winery, Man O’War, and Mudbrick, which has also an excellent fine dining restaurant and some of the best views across the Hauraki Gulf.

Although it’s not a winery as such, Ki Maha is another sophisticated spot for a boozy brunch, and the closest thing you’ll find to a beach club in New Zealand, with an upbeat atmosphere overlooking Onetangi Beach.To continue the revelry after the sun sets, head to the Oyster Inn in Oneroa, which was founded by Andrew Glenn, the former UK Communications Director for Louis Vuitton.“Where else can you find beautiful, often desolate beaches, wineries, and restaurants in a rural setting just a half an hour from an urban hub?” Glenn once said of his reason for trading in London for NZ. “The vibe is chill, authentic, and unpretentious, which is refreshing in today’s world.”

If you’re looking to spend a night or two, consider the new adults-only Omana Luxury Villas, where you can unwind and detox in rooms equipped with freestanding bath tubs overlooking the ocean. Equally stunning is Atatu Clifftop, an immaculately designed private villa perfect for entertaining with unobstructed sea views and an infinity pool.

For Oenophiles

Matakana

Matakana could be equated to Napa Valley or Tuscany, with its rustic charm and vineyards dotted throughout lush rolling hills. It’s a small but thriving wine region with a variety of boutique operators that produce sustainable, organic wines, from aromatic Pinot Gris to classic Bordeaux blends. Most are open year-round for tastings and al fresco lunches, making it a popular day trip from Auckland (it’s just a 45-minute drive away).

The best places here have great wine, yes, but great art, too. At Brick Bay, for instance, you can start with a few wine flights and antipasto boards with local cheeses in an airy, glasshouse-style restaurant, and then wander through a native bush trail lined with contemporary art installations.Nearby, Sculptureum features a mile of Insta-worthy sculpture gardens and six themed galleries with artworks from all over the world. Rothko is the appropriately-named fine dining restaurant on site (reservations recommended). Strictly a wine classicist? Heron’s Flight and Omaha Bay Vineyard are good options.

Thanks to Matakana’s proximity to the coast, you can easily add a visit to Omaha Beach, Tawaharanui Regional Park, or Goat Island Marine Reserve, New Zealand’s oldest protected ecological area, which families particularly like for snorkeling.

People generally used to visit Matakana for the day, but the recent launch of Te Arai Links, about 45 minutes north, has provided a fantastic excuse to stay a while. The resort is positioned along a pristine surf beach surrounded by trees and rugged sand dunes. Avid golfers will love its courses (one is designed by Tom Doak and the other by Coore & Crenshaw) and though golf is the primary focus here, there are many activities for the entire family to enjoy, including horseback riding, tennis, water sports, and in-villa spa treatments.

Pro tip: On the drive back make a stop at Matakana Farmer’s Market for artisanal Kiwi specialties and excellent flat whites (coffee is another thing New Zealanders do well).

For Cosmopolitans

Auckland

As the gateway to New Zealand, Auckland is essential on any itinerary. Often dubbed the City of Sails, it’s the liveliest and most populous city in the country, with twin harbors facing both the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea. The downtown waterfront, bustling with superyachts, bars, and buzzy restaurants, has been evolving since the city hosted the America’s Cup back in the late ’90s. More recently, the arrival of Commercial Bay has transformed the skyline with, among other things, the five-star InterContinental Hotel, which is home to Queens Rooftop, the cocktail boîte du jour. The bordering Britomart precinct was similarly transformative when it opened a little more than a decade ago, and is in close proximity to the best dining in the city, including celeb chef Josh Emett’s Gilt Brasserie, Italian hotspot Bivacco, and seafood restaurants Ahi. and Kingi.

For a bespoke shopping experience, venture to Faradays in Parnell, where you’ll find an elegant champagne bar and collections from Loewe, Jil Sander, and the founder’s namesake label, Dadelzen (think: New Zealand’s version of Zegna). Another excellent district for luxe finds is Ponsonby, a mile-long strip of boutiques and galleries beloved by fashionable millennials. And to experience life as a local, check into the new Sorella Studios, a chic Airbnb run by two sisters that is centrally located right by Hotel Ponsonby (which is actually a popular bistro). For more traditional accommodations there is the Park Hyatt, which opened in 2020 (be sure to request a Viaduct-facing room), or the Hotel Britomart (book one of the Landing Suites).

As for culture, Auckland Art Gallery, is obligatory. In 2022, American philanthropist—and one of the biggest U.S. landholders in New Zealand—Julian Robertson willed an estimated $181 million of his personal art collection to the institution, including works by Matisse, Picasso, Cézanne, and Dalí. And don’t miss the palatial Auckland Museum, considered New Zealand’s answer to the Met.

If you want to get out of downtown for quiet beaches, peaceful coastal walks, charming cafes, and some of the best views of the city, rent a car and venture over to the North Shore, where you can wander up North Head, a volcanic mountain that also happens to be New Zealand’s most significant defense site, with military relics and caves that were built in the 1940s in anticipation of an invasion that never came.

For Quintessential New Zealand

The Bay of Islands

Renowned for its biodiversity and unspoiled nature, the Bay of Islands—a subtropical region with an archipelago of 144 islands—may be as close to the platonic ideal of what one might imagine New Zealand to be. Whether you love exploring by sea or prefer to stay on dry land, there is plenty to see.Local marine life is abundant, and includes dolphins, seals, whales, and penguins, all of which can be observed from the many commercial boat tours operating in the area, or via water activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, or jet skiing.On terra firma, lush Kauri forests, especially the Puketi and Omahuta, are home to some of the country’s most diverse birdlife—including the national icon, the Kiwi—as well as some of the largest native Kauri trees in NZ. Many of the islands here conveniently have walking tracks managed by the Department of Conservation.

The region is also known for its vibrant Maori heritage. This is where the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding constitutional document, was signed between the British Crown and the Maori chiefs in 1840—the Te Kongahu Museum of Waitangi is a great place to learn about the complicated history behind this treaty.

The grande dame property here is undoubtedly Kauri Cliffs, which is one of the original lodges that put New Zealand on the map as a luxury destination (along with Huka Lodge, located farther down in the Lake Taupo region, and where Queen Elizabeth stayed on several occasions). Now a Rosewood, the property remains revered for its exceptional hospitality and fabulous golf course set on 6,000 acres overlooking Matakauri Bay (former POTUS Barack Obama played a round during a trip to the country in 2018). Eagle’s Nest, The Landing, and Helena Bay are similarly opulent, with beautifully-appointed state-of-the-art villas in picturesque coastal settings. Each lodge has a distinct vibe, but they are all intimate, with friendly service, farm-to-table cuisine, and an exciting array of outdoor pursuits.

As for extracurriculars: “Wine and nature enthusiasts will delight in a visit toParoa Bay Winery, where lush vineyards and sweeping views provide the perfect setting for relaxation,” says Lucy Rudgard, a senior travel specialist at Scott Dunn. “For those seeking adventure, a trip toCape Reinga, the northernmost tip of New Zealand, is a must to witness the spot where two oceans meet—it’s a spectacle that embodies the magic of this unique region.”