Bay of Plenty ranks as Top 10 destination

The Bay of Plenty has been named one of New Zealand's top 10 destinations.

The international consumer poll was conducted by travel experience provider Experience Oz + NZ.

The 2016 survey found Fiordland was the country's top destination, closely followed by Queenstown and Taupo.

The Bay of Plenty ranked 10th.

Other regions in the list were Taranaki, Nelson, Dunedin, Hanmer Springs, Whanganui, Central Otago.

Fiordland is famous for its mixture of dramatic mountain peaks, deep waters and cascading waterfalls. Previous years saw the region's main attractions, Milford and Doubtful Sounds, nominated individually with their continuing popularity seeing each land consecutively in the top 10.

In 2014 the Bay of Plenty ranked in number 8 position but dropped to 10th last year and this year.

In conducting the survey, which ran for two months, Experience Oz received over 6500 votes from a mixed audience of New Zealand, Australian and international respondents.

Poll participants were asked to consider among other factors, the typical "New Zealand"-style nature of the destination, its unique natural highlights, the area's cultural, historic and architectural features, the variety of activities on offer, whether it was over-commercialised, and if it was simply considered objectively "beautiful".

Experience Oz+ NZ Marketing Manager Matt Hobbs said Australians represented New Zealand's largest inbound tourism market, results indicated both favourite experiences and also what locals believe to be their nation's hidden gems.

"The absence of several major cities shows us tourists are keen to immerse themselves more in the land and culture of regional New Zealand, and these 10 destinations certainly showcase the best of them," he said.