Cape Reinga
Where the Tasman & Pacific collide
At the northern tip of New Zealand, Cape Reinga is at the point where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean meet. Māori believe that this is the departure point for souls as they take off on their journey to their spiritual homeland.
It’s also the northern end of State Highway 1. From the carpark, it’s a 10-minute stroll out to the lighthouse and viewpoint. Offshore, the currents of the Tasman and not-so-aptly named Pacific Ocean meet in a foaming swell of broken water, often with explosions of spray and spume. It’s quite a sight.
This isn’t actually the northernmost point in NZ – that title belongs to inaccessible North Cape, some 20km to the east.