A bloom of harmless crystal jellyfish surrounds a diver at the Poor Knights Marine Reserve. Photo: Crispin Middleton
Northland's inclusion in a prestigous list is a "huge opportunity" for the region, Kiwi Coast co-ordinator Ngaire Sullivan says.
The region has been recognised in National Geographic's Best of the World 2025 with one of the highlights being Poor Knights Marine Reserve - 25km off the Tūtūkākā coast north of Whangārei.
National Geographic described the region as one of the most exciting, meaningful and one-of-a-kind travel experiences.
She hoped the award would drive interest in the region and country as a top travel destination.
"This is a huge opportunity I think for Northland and New Zealand to bring people to this country, to show them just how gorgeous and wonderful it is," she said.
Sullivan said the tribute was an acknowledgement of a huge volunteer effort over many years.
"Thanks to over 20 years of dedicated work by community iwi and hapu lead projects, the numbers [of wildlife] have just gone up and up and up."
She told Morning Report that National Geographic were "amazed" that in Northland the kiwi population were travelling through residential property.
"It's all in people's backyard.
"The fact that you can come up here and hear kiwi screeching through the night... it's just incredible," she said.
However, Sullivan asked that tourists travelling to Northland travelled responsibly and left their dogs at home.
"The number one cause of adult kiwi deaths in Northland remains uncontrolled dogs, so we just ask those tourists to bring your kids, bring your camera, bring all your adventure gear, get into it, but leave your cats and dogs happily and safely at home."
Kiwis could be lurking in some unexpected places, Sullivan said.
