Cape Reinga

　　   Cape Reinga is situated at the very northwestern tip of the Aupouri Peninsula in the northwest of New Zealand’s North Island, about 100 kilometers from Kaitaia. Its name originates from the Māori language, meaning “underworld.” In Māori belief, this cape is the place where souls depart for the afterlife.

　　   Cape Reinga holds significant spiritual importance for the Māori people and also serves as the turning point for travelers at the northernmost part of New Zealand, making it one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Perched on the cliffs of Cape Reinga is an ancient pohutukawa tree, known as the “place of leaping,” where legend says that Māori souls leap off the cape and descend via the tree’s roots to the underworld, returning to their ancestral homeland of Hawaiki. It is said that this ancient tree is around 800 years old but has never bloomed. In 2007, Cape Reinga was included on UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites. The iconic landmark of the cape is the famous Cape Reinga Lighthouse, which stands 10 meters tall and is the last lighthouse in New Zealand that visitors can climb. From the top, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

　　   Cape Reinga is considered the boundary between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Visitors from all over the world come here to witness the vastness of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific. During peak tourist seasons, around 120,000 visitors and 1,300 vehicles visit daily.

　　   Cape Reinga Reason to visit: One of New Zealand’s most captivating capes Continent: Oceania Country/Region: New Zealand Province/State: Northland Region