NZ Herald Travel Readers’ Choice Awards 2026: Top five in 11 categories revealed

You went, you saw, you commented. And now we’ve collected and collated thousands of responses and can name your favourite destinations, drives and experiences in the NZ Herald Travel Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, presented by Southern Cross Travel Insurance.

Today we’re announcing the top five vote-getters in all categories, including the Best International Destination, presented by Wendy Wu Tours.

We’ll be profiling many of these in more detail over the next week.

As we said when announcing our poll: “Kiwis are renowned for their love of travel, whether it’s the quintessential OE to Europe, the South Pacific family holiday, backpacking through Asia, the road trip through Australia or the US, or the long-awaited expedition cruise in retirement.

“In between, our summers and long weekends are spent exploring all corners of Aotearoa, from beach getaways to road trips to city breaks.”

We said we wanted to know your favourite places, experiences and top tips for destinations near and far.

Well, you weren’t backward in coming forward: not only do our readers know where and what they like in a holiday or a weekend break, they’re pretty forthright in their opinions – for or against.

So, in preparation for departure, please ensure that your seatbelt is securely fastened, your seat back is up and your tray table is stowed...

Best NZ destination

Well, that was an easy one – Queenstown was so far in front of the pack that you could have got off the luge at the bottom of the hill, dusted yourself off and walked back to the top of Bob’s Peak before Christchurch appeared on the horizon. Wrote one more than satisfied customer: “Its spectacular combination of mountains, lake and crisp alpine scenery makes every view feel like a postcard. There is something for everyone, from relaxing lakeside walks and excellent restaurants to thrilling activities and scenic day trips. What impressed me most was the lively atmosphere, friendly hospitality and the way Queenstown offers both adventure and relaxation in one unforgettable destination. It is a place that always feels special and leaves you wanting to return.”

Best international destination

Presented by Wendy Wu Tours

One of the more surprising results – not because Japan came out on top, but rather that traditional destinations such as Britain, France or the US didn’t rate a mention in the top 15. Japan has become international travel’s darling, pretty much since we started getting back on planes after that unforeseen interruption a few years ago. Kiwis have been enthusiastic adoptees and our airline has upped direct flights and capacity to meet demand. Our readers’ advice: do your research before you go; respect their customs and lifestyle; get out of the cities; and “Enjoy the food!”

Best international city

Why do we love Melbourne? Possibly because you can take a three-and-a-half-hour flight and feel like you’ve landed in a different country. Strewth, they even speak a different language. Seriously, we love Melbourne for the shops, the sports, the shows, the galleries, the restaurants and cafes – it’s possibly the only place where you can get coffee that’s almost as good as Aotearoa, an urban escape that feels both culturally rich and easy to navigate. We could say much the same about the second placegetter.

Best NZ road trip

Ask Google Maps and it’ll tell you it’s 480km and takes six hours. Ask anyone who’s done it and they’ll tell you it should take anywhere from two to four days – if you’re in a hurry. Every inch, every bend of the route from Christchurch to Queenstown is magnificent: the Lindis Pass, high mountain vistas and sweeping valley panoramas; the shockingly turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo during the day and pitch-black stargazing at night; the massive snowclad peaks of Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park (pause for a bush walk); Wānaka, for another overnighter. One word of warning: this is not the best time of year to hit this road. Save it for a little later on.

Best foodie destination

“Go with the flow. Taste, try new things and enjoy,” advised one of our readers, and that sums up how we’ve fallen for so many Asian cuisines in recent years. Local versions are pretty good, but any traveller will attest you have to visit Vietnam to get the real hit of those sweet, salty, sour and spicy dishes. If pho, banh mi and spring rolls aren’t your thing, we can recommend the readers’ second choice – they’ve got quite a reputation in the food and wine stakes too. This was the tightest 1-2-3 decision in the entire poll.

Best NZ short break

It was “the Coolest Little Capital in the World” but folks have had a bit of a downer on Wellington in recent years. Maybe there’s something in the water. Anyhow, it’s nice to see the place getting a break from our readers, even if it is a short one. Things you love: the vibe, the cafes and restaurants, the hills and walking trails, Cuba St, Te Papa and Zealandia (I don’t think you should be eligible to vote unless you’ve been to Zealandia, but that’s just me).

Best NZ small town

Hands up everyone who picked this winner? Congratulations Russell/Kororāreka, because that’s quite some competition you beat. Here’s why the readers plumped for the nation’s first capital: “Use Russell as the base for excellent walks, boat ride to Paihia, Treaty Grounds, waterfalls, boardwalks, excellent restaurant” and “Just enjoy a classic Kiwi beach holiday – take it slow, walk around, hang at the beach, watch the fishers on the wharf and eat ice cream!”

Raglan earned similar praise: “Use it as a cool place to relax and escape the city – go to the beach and walk around the town with insanely good coffee shops and boutique stores.” Several people mentioned surfing, which is apparently quite popular.

Best wine region

You’d be hard-pressed to get the skin of a grape between the top two. Central Otago pipped Hawke’s Bay for its setting, activities and attractions – “Allow plenty of time, do some of the walks and enjoy world-class cuisine. Stay in boutique accommodation out of the major city/town areas,” as one reader put it, and the mountain scenery, bike trails, gold-mining past and historic villages featured frequently. As well as the wineries, Hawke’s Bay supporters quoted the food at restaurants such as Craggy Range, artisan stores and farmers’ markets, the coastline and bike trails.

Best bucket list destination

Could you find it on a map? Go to India or Sri Lanka and it’s at 8 o’clock, 750km southwest from there. The smallest country in Asia, 26 wide-flung atolls of white-sand beaches, warm turquoise waters and ultimate privacy, security and luxury in iconic overwater bungalows. Also, excellent swimming, diving, water sports and marine life, including turtles and sharks.

Best sports destination

Gotta be honest: the TMO or VAR or the Bunker should be asked to take a second look at this one! But the readers have voted and they’ve shown soft spots for Eden Park, the All Blacks Experience (fair call), the Wahs at Mt Smart (one of the great sporting days out) and for me, Auckland FC at the same venue. If I’d been allowed, I’d have voted for Melbourne – hard to beat those marvellous stadiums in walking distance of the CBD, the tennis, Formula One, test cricket and that weird game they stole from us Irish.

Best family holiday

We started with a Queenstown win and we’re going to wind up with another one, and it’s impossible to argue. Some might look at Snow City, and a couple of others here, and wonder if families can afford to holiday there in our present fiscal climate. But this is where our readers really went in to bat, and in our deeper dive next week, they will post a bunch of practical tips for seeing and enjoying these great destinations – if not on the cheap, then certainly on a budget.

Click here to read article