Northland hot spots vie for places on must-do list

Tourism Northlanders know what to do and where to go in their region and now they can vote to tell the rest of the country what the "Must-Do" places and activities in Northland are.

AA Tourism has just launched its 101 Must-Dos, with New Zealanders voting on what they think should be included in the what-shouldn't-be-missed list.

It has produced a list of more than 1600 attractions, events and places for people to vote for with 127 from Northland in the running.

From the Mangawhai cliff-top walkway to Cape Reinga, Northland's nominations can surely hold their own with anywhere else in the country.

The list was last compiled in 2006, when Northland filled out eight spots in the list, including Bay of Islands at number three and Tutukaka/The Poor Knights at number 10.

Also making the last list were Waipoua Forest at 23, Cape Reinga at 30, Hokianga, 37, Ahipara/Shipwreck Bay, 77, Waitangi Treaty Grounds at 85 and Kawakawa's Hundertwasser toilets as number 95.

All of these are included in this year's nominations, but they are up against some stiff opposition, with the previous number one and two Must-Dos - Mitre Peak/Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound - again in the running.

Those also in the running from Northland this year include: Trounson Kauri Park, Kaihu Kauri Gallery, Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival, Whangarei's Clapham's Clocks Museum, Ahipara Horse Treks' Glenbervie Adventure Forest, Ocean Beach and Whangarei Heads and Pompallier Mission House.

The last list attracted more than 200,000 votes from across the country and research conducted since shows that 71 per cent of respondents cited the list as positively influencing their decision where to travel.

"So there's a great deal at stake for tourism operators vying to get a foothold on the list or maintain their previous ranking," AA Tourism marketing general manager Rebecca Cherry said.

In the first three days of voting, more than 80,000 people have already made their picks.

To vote go to www.aatourism.co.nz/101, with all those who vote going into the draw to win a $10,000 "Ultimate Kiwi Holiday".