Our cruise next Feb. ends in Auckland. We have 3 days to spend in NZ before we go back home and have a choice between Auckland or going to Wellington, which friends say is more interesting than Auckland. Any other opinions? Many thanks

Your friends are right - there's nothing wrong with Auckland, but Wellington has more character. We only spent a couple of days in each, though, and were happy just getting to know the cities - others may like to comment on the best attraction outside the city areas so that you make the most of your 3 days.

We loved Auckland. We were based in Ponsonby which has great eats. We did harbour things. Gorgeous harbour. Love Wellington as well but preferred Auckland.

Being a Wellingtonian who has lived in Auckland, as well as other parts of the country, I would of course recommend Wellington! Seriously though, I guess it depends on what you are interested in.
Wellington is a great city, more compact than Auckland, and therefore easier to get around either walking or on public transport. However, our daughter, also Wellington-born and who loves Wellington, says she could not return here after living in London for 5 years because it is too small and quiet! She lives in Auckland and quite enjoys life there. As I said, depends on your interests.
Would be happy to recommend some places to see in Wellington.

I've been to Auckland many times as it is a major hub for flights ex Sydney.
Wellington only once.

The Auckland CBD is a big disappointment - but the harbour area is OK and you can do some great trips out on the ferry to Devonport (cafes, bookshops) or Waiheke Island (beaches, walking). And there's the Auckland Museum and the Domain.

Wellington has a better vibe to my mind and there's the Te Papa Museum, and some great parks.

But if it were me, and given the time you have, I'd get on a bus out of Auckland and head up to the Bay of Islands. That way you would see some of the countryside, and Pahia is a good base for trips around the bay and a visit to where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.

Just some ideas. Have fun.

This would be an impossible decision for me. I loved both cities.
Both have many things to do and see. The TePapa Museum in Wellington is great.

Which ever you decide on, I'd rent a car and see some of the outer areas of the city.
In Auckland area, I'd visit Devonport and also drive up north of the city to Takapuna and on up to Orewa . The beach is beautiful there.

Outside Wellington, I'd take a drive all around the bay. The scenery is beautiful. Take a drive up Paekakariki Hill , 40 km north of Wellington.
I can assure you that if you decide on Wellington, Dotty will give you lots of tips. ( Hi Dot!!)

hi pennez,
I like fuzzylogic's "logic" - Paihia direction is a sensible 3rd choice with some amazing scenery and swimming spots.
Offer is still on should you decide to come to Wellington.
Hi, kodi. Neat new park has gone up near the backpackers since you were here. It is set up to hold some great displays - just saw the awesome "Eye on the Earth" photographic display by Jann Arthus-Bertrand. Now, that is a display to whet the appetite to travel to some incredible places!
Oops, sorry, pennez, to hijack your posting.

Just returned from our first visit to NZ a couple days ago. We spent a month driving both south and north island.
I would suggest going to Auckland and then driving or taking a tour to Bay of Islands.
Take the 90 mile bus tour to the tip, the Lighthouse, riding on the beach and sliding the sanddunes.
Auckland and Wellington are JUST big cities. They do have very nice museums but if I wanted a true taste of NZ, I'd get out of "Dodge" and head north of Auckland.
To see where the Tasmanian Sea and the Pacific merge and see the coastal villages, is worth the choice. If you don't want to drive, take a tour.
All NZ is very special to us and we will return but we will SKIP the big cities. South Island is more of what we expected NZ to be like.

Have fun whatever you decide. Either is a good choice...museums were exceptionally good.

Auckland is just a city! We went whale watching in the harbour and saw three whales and dozens of dolphins. I was blown away.
From Ponsonby we walked through the streets of Victorian houses to the waterfront and had a beer right on the wharf, looking into the sunset. It was magic. It is up there with a similar experience we had in Italy.
There is a bus that does a route around the city every ten minutes so it is easy to get around.
Someone has said the musuem is great, so was the view from outside it as it is on a hill overlooking Auckland.

Depends on your interests. Wellington has more character and livelier night- life. Auckland's a bit of a non-event unless you like water and harbour views.

But given that you've got 3 days and you're starting from Auckland anyway, you could do lots worse than a quick trip to Paihia, or Coromandel Peninsula (my choice), or Rotorua.

I love the Paihia idea too and even though (either) Auckland and Wellington would be great, ... Paihia, Russell and further north would be even better. The Bay of Islands is a lovely area of New Zealand and well worth making the effort to see.

Hi there. I am an Australian who has lived in Melbourne, Perth & Hobart for long periods, and have travelled all over NZ in Oct 2002. Moved here to Wellington 3 years ago with my wife because it is simply, in my opinion, the BEST all round city in Aus/NZ - and as a place to visit for a couple of days - unsurpassed.

Wellington, Without question.