[8] Although many of the region's kauri forests were felled during the 19th century, some areas still exist where this rare giant grows tall.

New Zealand's largest tree, Tāne Mahuta, stands in the Waipoua Forest[9] south of the Hokianga Harbour.

These kauri forests are also home to Te Raupua at 781 metres (2,562 ft), the highest point in the region.

Cape Reinga and Spirits Bay, however, have a symbolic part to play as the end of the country.

Due to its latitude and low elevation, it has the country's highest average annual temperature,[12] although, as with other parts of New Zealand, the weather is changeable.

In January 2009, excessive sunlight hours and below-average rainfall resulted in the region being declared a drought zone.

[41] Although most of the region's European population are British (as is true with the rest of the country), certain other ethnicities are represented as well.

[42] Northland is New Zealand's least urbanised region, with 50% of the population of 204,800 living in urban areas.

According to Māori legend, the North Island of New Zealand was an enormous fish, caught by the demigod Māui.

If the Māori regard the region as the legendary birthplace of the country, there can be no doubt that it was the European starting-point for the modern nation of New Zealand.

Traders, whalers and sealers were among the first arrivals, and the gum and timber of the mighty kauri trees brought more colonisers.

Between 1870 and 1920, the major industry in Northland was kauri gum digging, which by the 1910s was centred around the townships of Ahipara and Houhora.

Significant crops include avocadoes, kumara, kiwifruit, citrus fruit and olives.

For this reason wood and paper manufacturing industries also make a large contribution to the region's economy.

[46] The railway system, which once ran as far north as Okaihau, has been historically important for the transport of timber to Auckland.

Northland is a favourite tourist destination, especially to the Bay of Islands and the historic town of Kerikeri.

Northland was formerly home to New Zealand's only oil refinery, located in Marsden Point, a town, close to Whangārei across the harbour.

New Zealand's natural fuel resources in Taranaki account for a little under half of the refinery's intake, with the rest coming predominantly from the Middle East.

The nearby Marsden A thermal power station originally utilised heavy oil from the refinery for electricity production, but no longer does so.