12 New Zealand Small Towns With Unmatched Friendliness
New Zealand's small towns are known for their hospitality, and in many cases, that's backed by local tourism awards and traveller ratings. But some of these places go further, with a grounded, everyday friendliness that shows up in local festivals, volunteer-run museums, and attractions that are meant to draw tourists from the capital city of Wellington. This list isn't just about sweeping Lord of the Rings-esque landscapes (though they're certainly included), it's about places where people still wave to strangers and 'community' isn't a buzzword. From coastal hubs with a strong surf scene to inland farming towns built on generations of trust, these 12 spots actually walk the walk when it comes to being inviting.
Kerikeri
The North Island's Kerikeri backs up its reputation for warmth with real-world proof, community markets, heritage sites, and grassroots activism you can see and feel. The Bay of Islands Farmers' Market, every Sunday in the Hobson Ave car park, features live music, growers selling directly (no middlemen), and even free stalls for charity groups. Over Labour Weekend, the KOAST art trail opens around two dozen local studios, with over 40 artists on-site, inviting conversation and sales. History isn't stuck behind glass either; the Stone Store and Mission House deliver daily tours packed with real stories of Maori and European roots. For a quick nature fix, Rainbow Falls is a 10-minute walk anyone can enjoy.
Taihape
Taihape hosts New Zealand's famous Gumboot Day every spring, featuring gumboot-throwing contests, live music, and food stalls run by local groups raising funds for charity. January features the A&P Agricultural Show, where locals gather for livestock displays, equestrian events, and competitions highlighting regional farming skills. In short, this is a real 'salt of the Earth' town, which tends to mean a welcoming atmosphere. Even if you miss out on the events, the Taihape Museum showcases local history and crafts, reflecting community pride. Nearby, the Domain offers accessible bush walks, and River Valley Lodge invites visitors for white-water rafting and horse trekking. These events and activities revolve around local participation, making Taihape a town built on genuine community connections.
Russell
Russell perches on the edge of the Bay of Islands, where green hills plunge into waters dotted with boats and islands. Despite its tiny population of fewer than 1,000 full-time residents, this former whaling port radiates warmth and personality. Christ Church, dating back to 1835, stands as New Zealand's oldest church, watching over the waterfront. Every July, the Birdman Festival turns the wharf into a launching pad for wild human flight attempts, drawing a crowd to cheer from the shoreline. Come September, the Oyster Festival fills the town with fresh seafood, cooking demos, and live music, playing tribute to Russell's deep maritime roots. When not bustling with an event, the Pompallier Mission House, built in the 1840s, offers guided tours of New Zealand's oldest surviving Roman Catholic building and tannery.
Havelock North
Summer evenings in Havelock North pulse with free concerts at the Village Green, part of the "Summer in the Park" and "Jazz on the Village Green" series that draw around 6,000 locals over five weekends. On the first Saturday of each month, the Havelock Handmade Market fills Gibson Court with over 20 local artisans selling their crafts to residents and visitors alike. After enjoying the events, wine lovers gather at Te Mata Estate, New Zealand's oldest continuously operating winery, where on-site tastings and hand-harvested cuvées share stories of the land and its people. On the other hand, trails up Te Māta Peak follow sealed roads and well-graded paths, leading to views that stretch from Napier to Mount Ruapehu, all without a guide.
Akaroa
Akaroa sits inside an ancient volcanic crater on Banks Peninsula, its harbour a milky-blue bowl where Hector's dolphins and, occasionally, bottlenose pods swim beside small tour boats. The town blends French flair with Kiwi charm, a nod to the French settlers who arrived in the 1840s. Every two years, FrenchFest transforms the waterfront into a vibrant scene of music, Gallic cuisine, and street performers, all coordinated by locals celebrating Akaroa’s unique roots. Just as popular is the Akaroa Harvest Festival, where growers, cooks, and winemakers gather around local fare and live music in a laid-back setting that draws visitors and residents alike.
Mosaic art flourishes at The Giant’s House, a whimsical garden-gallery curated by resident artists and filled with sculptures, terraces, and colour-splashed tiles. Meanwhile, the Akaroa Museum showcases settler and Māori history inside a 19th-century cottage.
Cromwell
Cromwell sits where two rivers collide, the Kawarau and Clutha, and is surrounded by jagged Central Otago ranges and sun-soaked vineyards. The Sunday Farmers' and Craft Market runs from October to April by Lake Dunstan, with local musicians playing while families fill picnic benches. The Cromwell Heritage Precinct isn't a museum; it's alive, with working studios, cafes, and festivals like Light Up Winter, where hundreds gather for night markets, mulled wine, and lantern releases. Each February, the Highlands Festival of Speed brings out vintage race cars to roar across the track. And in autumn, the nearby Bannockburn's wineries host harvest tastings that pack out with regulars and visitors alike.
Te Anau
With just under 3,000 residents, Te Anau may be small, but it’s anything but sleepy. Sitting on the edge of Fiordland National Park, it serves as both a tourist hub and a close-knit community. A boat ride across a dark lake, a limestone tunnel, and suddenly there are glowworms overhead like constellations. That's the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, a surreal underworld only accessible by water and guided tour. If you want to stay above land, the Fiordland National Park spans over 12,000 square kilometres (4,868 sq. mi.), with plenty of landmarks, from the Hollyford River to the scenic Milford Road.
The annual Tartan Festival packs the local events centre with Highland games and bagpipes, nodding to the town’s Scottish roots. In spring, ukulele players spill from pubs and cafes during the three-day Ukulele Fest. Cyclists ride the Lake2Lake Trail, a community-built track to Manapouri, while Mirror Lakes, just outside town, offers a roadside lookout so still it feels staged.
Raglan
Raglan's black-sand beach opens straight into Manu Bay, the legendary left-hand surf break immortalised in the American surf documentary, The Endless Summer. In the summer, surfers of all levels share the waves at Ngarunui Beach under lifeguard patrols. Once a colonial wharf and trading post, Raglan has become a hippie enclave and a hub for artists, surfers, growers, and tourists. Bow Street is the town's spine: home to independent cafes like The Shack, surf shops, and Orco Eatery & Bar, where waterfront views aid weekend conversations. Just outside town, Bridal Veil Falls drops 55 meters through native bush, misting hikers on the short walk in.
Martinborough
Rows of vines stretch across sun-drenched plains west of Wellington, their leafy arches defining Martinborough's Union Jack street grid. Each January, Toast Martinborough shuts down Festival Road and locals and visitors stroll between half a dozen boutique wineries (including Ata Rangi and Te Kairanga), sipping Pinot Noir, sampling gourmet bites, and tapping toes to live music. On the first Saturdays of February and March, the Rotary-run Martinborough Fair brings 450+ craft and food stalls to the Square, with all proceeds funding local causes. In April, the Wairarapa Balloon Festival lifts off nearby, with morning hot air balloon launches over the sprawling vineyards. At night, the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve turns this quiet town into a stargazing hub.
Arrowtown
Arrowtown sits snug in a rugged valley carved by the Arrow River and shadowed by the jagged Southern Alps of New Zealand. This former gold rush settlement preserves its 19th-century roots through intact miners' cottages and the Lakes District Museum, where you can trace the grit behind the glitter. Walking the Arrow River Bridges Trail offers quiet river views and glimpses of prospecting history. The town's compact centre buzzes with cafes, galleries, and artisan shops run by locals deeply invested in their community.
If you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, the nearby Millbrook Resort offers world-class golf and spa escapes. Those who decide to visit should plan their trip in autumn to experience the town’s friendly vibes. This is thanks to the Arrowtown Autumn Festival, which draws locals and visitors to celebrate the harvest season with a ton of food and art.
Hokitika
Hokitika opens onto New Zealand's rugged West Coast, where wild Tasman Sea waves crash against windswept beaches framed by ancient rainforests. This town is best known for its "green gold," the prized pounamu (jade) that has been mined here for centuries. Its legacy is visible in galleries like the Hokitika Craft Gallery and in the hands-on work of local artisans. Just a short drive inland, Hokitika Gorge dazzles visitors with turquoise waters threading through pale limestone cliffs, offering easy walking trails and picture-perfect lookouts.
In March, the Wildfoods Festival transforms Hokitika into a destination for culinary adventurers, where locals and visitors alike sample everything from huhu grubs to gourmet oysters. After dark, the nearby Glow Worm Dell invites a quieter kind of magic, with bioluminescent creatures illuminating the forest canopy overhead. For those seeking comfort in the wilderness, Lake Kaniere Lodge provides cosy, scenic accommodations along the lake’s tranquil shores.
Paihia
Paihia is nestled among lush green headlands that dip into the calm waters of the Bay of Islands. Tour boats depart straight from the beach, headed for dolphin pods and the famous Hole in the Rock at Motukokako Island, which boats can pass through when the tide allows. This seaside town also offers easy access to one of the country’s most important historical sites. Just a short walk away, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds anchor Paihia in the story of New Zealand’s founding, with powerful kapa haka performances, carved meeting houses, and hands-on exhibits. Adventurers can kayak past mangroves and into the cascading waters of Haruru Falls or take a relaxed paddleboard ride around the bay. In January, the Paihia Summer Festival livens up the waterfront reserve with outdoor concerts, games, and family-friendly activities.
Finishing Thoughts
New Zealand's friendliest towns aren't just backdrops of coastlines and mountains, they're lived-in places shaped by locals who know their land and their neighbors. From wandering historic streets to sipping wine in the vineyards, what truly stands out is the steady kindness woven into everyday life. It's what defines these communities and the whole of New Zealand itself. Whether you find yourself at the top of the tropical North Island or down in the wild of the South, this country has a town ready to welcome you in as one of their own, even if it's just for the day.
