Charge & explore - North Island EV charging stops to make this holidays
The North Island is made for summer road trips. From quiet coves in Northland to full city days in Auckland and the long easy runs down to Wellington, there is no shortage of places to escape to once the holidays roll around. Travelling in an EV adds a different rhythm to the journey too. Charging stops become a natural chance to slow down, explore a beach you’ve never walked, grab a bite somewhere new or wander through a town you were only planning to pass through.
With Zero, Meridian Energy’s EV charging network, spread right across the North Island, planning a holiday in an EV feels easier than ever. The chargers are in spots that make sense for real world travel, whether you’re heading to the coast, visiting family or doing a full island loop. Instead of thinking of charging as a chore, think of it as an excuse to enjoy the good stuff along the way!
This guide brings together some of the best places to pull in, top up and turn your charging time into part of the holiday. Whether you are new to EVs or already well into ownership, it is all about giving you confidence on the road and helping you get more out of the journey.
Planning your North Island holiday route
Holiday driving in the North Island has its own rhythm compared to the South Island. In many areas and directions, the distances to travel between stops are shorter - towns appear more often. There’s always another beach, lookout or bakery just around the corner. Because of that, planning an EV trip becomes less about mapping every kilometre and more about choosing the sort of adventure you want.
With Zero’s chargers (and a number of other networks) positioned around the island, you can shape your journey however you like. Range anxiety isn’t eliminated entirely, but a little planning will give you peace of mind. The good news? There’s only going to be more chargers in the future!
Before you set off
It helps to jump into the Zero app and get familiar with the charger map for the regions you plan to travel through. Knowing where you can top up removes a lot of pressure, especially during peak holiday periods or if you’re heading into more remote pockets of the island. Once you start a charging session you can confirm it has kicked off properly and keep an eye on progress while you wander. The app will let you know when you’re nearly done so you can time your return without feeling rushed.
Range and charging speeds will shape the flow of your day. A quick top up might be all you need between beaches or cafés, while a longer charge is an opportunity to stretch your legs or explore somewhere new. Weather, hills and air con use will all influence your range, so give yourself a bit of margin when driving unfamiliar roads.
Northland: Gateway to the Far North
Northland is built for relaxed EV travel on the way up, with well-spaced Zero chargers covering the route from Auckland through to Whangārei and Kerikeri. Those shorter hops make it easy to settle into the holiday pace early, topping up as you move between towns that were likely on your itinerary anyway. Once you’re past Kerikeri though, the landscape opens up and distances stretch out. It’s about an hour and ten minutes from Whangārei to Kerikeri, but more than two hours from Kerikeri to Cape Reinga. If you’re doing the full trip north and back, it pays to plan your charge windows more carefully.
Whangārei
If you’re heading north from Auckland, Whangārei is the first real point where a top up makes sense. The Zero chargers at the Whangārei Aquatic Centre puts you right beside a huge recreational space with walking paths, playgrounds and shaded lawns that are ideal for stretching out after a long stint on State Highway 1. Cobham Oval is another handy option. Cricket fans might catch a match in action, but even on a quiet day, it’s a pleasant area to wander while your car gets a boost.
Families often make Pohe Island a must stop. William Fraser Memorial Park is a popular spot for a break, with wide open areas and the Hatea Loop walkway gives you an easy way to move around while the charger does its thing. If you prefer a coffee and something sweet, Kensington is close by. The Zero chargers at Kensington Sports Centre means you can pop into local cafés, browse the shops or squeeze in a quick bite before carrying on north.
Kerikeri
The Zero chargers at Oakridge Kerikeri sits close to the township, giving you time to explore the local markets, grab fresh produce or wander the boutique stores. Stone Store and the surrounding heritage area offer a peaceful way to fill a charging window and during the holidays there’s usually something happening in town, whether it is music, food stalls or just the weekend buzz.
Marsden Cove
For travellers who like their breaks by the water, the Marsden Cove Marina chargers are a great stop. It’s an easy place to relax, watch boats drift in and out, grab an ice cream or walk along the marina edge. A good option if you have kids who need space to move or you want a calmer spot before heading into the Far North. Charging here tends to match well with a short stroll or a casual bite and in summer the whole area has a relaxed coastal feel.
Auckland: Urban adventures while you charge
Auckland’s where a lot of North Island summer road trips begin. If you live here, the holiday might start the moment you pull out of the driveway, whether you’re heading north to the beaches of Northland, across to the Bay of Plenty or straight down the island for a longer run. For others, Auckland’s the crossover point on a wider roadie.
Either way, it’s one of the easiest places in the country to keep an EV topped up, with Zero chargers placed in spots that line up naturally with food, shopping and parks. The key is picking a stop that fits the direction you’re travelling and the type of break you want.
Wellesley Street
If your route takes you through the central city, the Wellesley Street carpark chargers are ideal. A quick top up here puts you right in the middle of Auckland’s galleries, shops and cafés. It’s a perfect stop for anyone who wants a proper walk to reset after motorway driving. You can wander through Aotea Square, explore the nearby streets around the Town Hall and The Civic or grab a drink from one of the many cafés tucked into the laneways. Even a short charge gives you enough time to stretch out and enjoy part of the city you might usually drive straight past if passing through without topping up.
Hobsonville
Heading north or west? Orion Point in Hobsonville is a great mid journey charge option. This area has grown into a proper little hub in recent years with a waterfront walkway, weekend markets and plenty of places to sit down with something to eat. It works well as a planned stop or a spontaneous break when the holiday traffic starts to build. The harbour views alone make it easy to fill a charging window without feeling like you’re waiting around.
Auckland Airport
If you’re flying somewhere for a few days or picking up family to join your EV roadie, the Zero chargers at Auckland Airport take the stress out of planning. They’re an easy way to arrive or depart with a healthy battery and if you have some time to spare, the terminal precinct has food, shops and open spaces to help you make use of the break. For rental EV drivers, it’s a simple way to return your car with the charging sorted.
Auckland does get busy during the holidays and that can mean more EV drivers on the road. The good news is that charging in the city is still straightforward. There’s plenty of Zero locations to choose from, so you can pick the stop that best suits your route. And because you’re never far from food, shops, parks or a good place to stretch your legs, even a slightly longer wait can turn into a useful break. With good coverage across the region, keeping your EV topped up in Auckland is simple and stress free.
Waikato: Hamilton and beyond
Waikato is one of those regions where an EV road trip feels easy. Towns are close together, the roads are smooth and there’s always something interesting within a short drive of wherever you stop. Whether you’re cutting through Hamilton on the way south or spending a few days in the region, it’s a place where a charge stop can turn into a relaxed wander, a good meal or a quick look around somewhere you might not usually visit.
Charging in the heart of ‘The Tron’
Hamilton’s central city makes this especially simple. The Zero chargers at SkyCity Hamilton put you right in the middle of the riverfront area, Victoria Street dining and some great indoor spots if you want time out of the sun. A short charge here gives you more than enough time to stretch your legs along the Waikato River paths or grab a coffee on the main strip. If the weather turns, there’s plenty of covered options close by, including galleries and the Centre Place shopping precinct.
Gardens, green spaces and easy breaks
If you have more than a quick stop to spare, Hamilton Gardens is one of the best places to explore. It’s a short drive from the central city and worth planning into your trip, especially during summer when the themed gardens are at their best. It’s easy enough to time a charge in the town centre before or after visiting the gardens, which works well if you want a relaxed pace without juggling errands in between. You can easily spend an hour or two here (often more), so it pairs naturally with a slightly longer (and cheaper) AC charge somewhere in Hamilton City.
Beyond the city: Smooth drives and simple top ups
Outside the city, the Waikato opens up into farmland, rolling hills and smaller towns that break up the journey nicely. It’s the kind of region where even a short top up can set you up well for the next run, whether you’re heading towards Cambridge and its cycle trails, the Waitomo area, or carrying on south towards Taupō. With Hamilton as a dependable charging anchor and plenty to do while you wait, travelling through the Waikato in an EV feels simple and surprisingly relaxed.
Bay of Plenty: Coastal charging spots
The Bay of Plenty is one of the North Island’s great summer regions. Long beaches, warm evenings and easy driving between towns make it a natural fit for EV travel. Whether you’re based in Tauranga, doing day trips to the Mount or passing through on a longer coastal loop, it’s the kind of place where charging blends neatly into the day.
Tauranga and Mount Maunganui
Tauranga and the Mount are natural drawcards in summer, but they’re also busy places where EV etiquette matters. A short charge here is best treated as exactly that. You can grab a coffee, stretch your legs along the waterfront, walk a small part of the base track at the Mount or pop into a few shops while your EV charges. These are great spots for a quick reset before moving on to your next beach or holiday stop, without tying up a charger for longer than you need. We’re still adding chargers in this region but you currently have options from a number of providers to top up at the Mount.
Katikati
If you’re heading north towards Waihi or looping between Waikato and the Bay of Plenty, the Zero chargers at Summerset Katikati make for a calm and convenient stop. Make sure you bring your AC charging cable with you to these chargers.
It sits close to town, giving you easy access to local cafés, fresh produce stores and the well-known murals Katikati is famous for. It’s a gentler alternative to the busier Mount and Tauranga areas and works well as a reset point before moving on. Holidaymakers often use this stop as a quick break between beaches, bush walks and the farmland edges of the region.
Gisborne: East Coast EV exploring
Gisborne’s long beaches, warm mornings and relaxed summer feel make it a popular destination for travellers who want a quieter break. Zero chargers aren’t in this region just yet, so it’s worth planning your charging before you arrive. Once you’re in Gisborne, most of the best spots are close together, whether you spend the day at Midway or Waikanae Beach in Gisborne (distinct from Kāpiti), explore the town centre or take a short drive out to local wineries. With short travel distances and plenty to do in a compact area, it’s an easy place to settle in for a few days. Keep an eye out for future Zero locations as our network grows.
Hawke's Bay: Wine country and beach towns
Hawke’s Bay is an easy place to enjoy an EV holiday, even though Zero chargers are not in the region yet - you’ll find other public EV chargers, so hop online to PlugShare to see what’s available.
Most of the places travellers love are close together, whether you’re spending time in Napier’s Art Deco streets, heading out to wineries around Hastings or taking a short drive to the beach. Plan your charging on the way in or out of the region, then settle into the relaxed pace once you’re there. With short local trips and plenty to see within a small radius, it’s a great part of the North Island to explore while keeping the day’s itinerary simple.
Taranaki: Mountain and surf
Taranaki is a place where the scenery changes fast. One moment you’re on a quiet coastal road, the next you’re looking straight at the slopes of Mount Taranaki. It’s a great part of the island for EV travel and with Zero chargers in central New Plymouth, planning your day is straightforward.
A stop at Centre City Shopping Centre works well as a mid-journey break or a base while you explore the city. You can grab food, wander the shops or take a short walk down towards the waterfront before returning to your car. From there, you have choices. The Coastal Walkway is ideal for a quick leg stretch, and the surf beaches around Fitzroy and Back Beach are only a short drive away if you want to spend some time by the water after you’ve topped up.
If you’re heading inland, the mountain tracks and visitor areas are close enough that range is easy to manage with a planned top up in town. Taranaki’s mix of compact travel, good views and simple stops makes it a surprisingly easy region to add to a summer roadie in an EV. As always, do a check before setting off so you know what chargers (and on what network) are going to be available.
Manawatū-Whanganui: Heart of the North Island
Manawatū-Whanganui sits right in the middle of the island, making it a natural through route for anyone travelling north or south over summer.
If you’re based in or passing through Palmerston North, the Zero chargers at 80 Ruapehu Drive, Fitzherbert are ideal. It gives easy access to town centre cafés, shops and city parks. This makes it perfect for a coffee, a stroll or a quick errand while the car tops up. A short charge here pairs well with a wander around The Square, a browse through local shops or grabbing lunch before heading off again. It’s a convenient and reliable anchor point if you want city comforts without detouring far off route.
For something a bit different, the Zero chargers at Pukaha National Wildlife Centre in Mount Bruce offer one of the more interesting places to spend a charging window on the whole North Island route. While your EV charges up, you can visit the conservation centre, walk through native bush tracks or enjoy a coffee surrounded by bird calls. It breaks up a long drive between the Wairarapa, Manawatū and central North Island and is especially good for families needing time out of the car in the peak of summer’s heat!
Wairarapa: Lighthouses, vineyards and bushwalks
The Wairarapa - where summer feels a bit slower in the best possible way. Long country roads, small towns with character and plenty of outdoor activities make it a wonderful part of the North Island for EV travel. In fact, while many of us might associate the Wairarapa with farmers driving utes, there’s plenty of local EV drivers - particularly within the small towns. The heat can be dry and get well beyond 30 degrees in peak summer - so bear this in mind when working out your EV’s range. High temperatures can reduce battery efficiency. Add to this the air conditioning use that will be in play, which can further impact your total range.
With Zero chargers in both Masterton and Carterton, it’s simple to plan your stops around the kind of day you want.
Masterton
The Zero chargers at Powershop on Queen Street puts you right in the middle of Masterton’s main hub. It’s a handy place to top up before heading further out for the day. Queen Elizabeth Park is close by if you want a walk or somewhere for kids to burn off energy and the town centre has enough food and shopping to fill a short charging window without needing to stray far.
Carterton
Further south, the Carterton Events Centre chargers are perfectly placed for anyone exploring the line of towns between Masterton and Greytown. It works well as a quick mid-route stop, especially if you’re heading to wineries, boutique shopping or a lunch break somewhere in the valley. It’s also a practical reset point after returning from places like Castlepoint or Riversdale for a beach day.
Wellington: Capital city charging
Wellington is one of the easiest cities in the country to explore while your EV charges. Compact streets, a walkable waterfront and a huge mix of food, culture and outdoor spots make it a natural part of a North Island summer roadie. With Zero chargers spread across Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Wellington, you can pick a stop that suits your plans without needing to detour far.
Oriental Bay
Stopping at the Zero chargers on Oriental Parade gives you the perfect excuse to enjoy Wellington’s most famous stretch of waterfront. A short charge here pairs well with a stroll along the wide footpath or even on the beach. And what’s more summer roadie in NZ than a quick swim (if the weather holds up then grabbing an ice cream from the beachfront truck or a nearby café? It’s a great choice if you want a break from driving without leaving the heart of the city.
Seaview Marina
If you’re coming into Wellington from the Hutt Valley and exploring the area, Zero’s got you covered. You can walk the marina edge, watch boats come and go or sit by the water while your EV tops up at our Seaview location at 100 Port View Road. It’s a relaxed alternative to the busier city stops and works well if you’re travelling with kids or pets who just need space to move.
Upper Hutt
The Zero chargers at Criterion Lane in Upper Hutt are handy for anyone heading towards the Remutaka Hill, Wairarapa or further north. Equally, they come in handy for EVs who’ve just tackled the winding steep hills and are in need of a charge up (although that downhill is great for some regenerative braking!). Many holiday travellers use these as their final charge before tackling the Remutakas or a quick refill before returning to Wellington city for the evening.
Whether you’re visiting the museums, wandering the waterfront, riding the cable car or catching the ferry to the South Island, Wellington is well suited to EV travel. The mix of close together attractions and well placed Zero chargers makes it simple to build a charging stop into the rhythm of your day without slowing the holiday down. And if Wellington is your final drop off for a hired EV, we have you sorted for that requisite return-charge % some rental companies will expect.
Making the most of your charging stops
Charging on a North Island road trip can slot easily into the rhythm of your holiday. With the Zero app confirming your session, tracking progress and giving you a nudge when you're nearly full, you can make the most of the stop instead of waiting beside the car. It frees you up to enjoy where you are and gives the journey a more relaxed pace.
Different charge lengths are perfect for different kinds of breaks. A quick stop could be used for:
- A short waterfront or park walk
- Grabbing a drink or something light to eat
- Browsing a couple of nearby shops
- Enjoying a lookout point or photo spot
Longer charges give you time to properly settle in somewhere new. These pauses often end up being some of the best moments of the trip, turning a necessary stop into something you remember!
Where’s your EV taking you this summer?
A summer road trip in an EV changes the feel of travelling around the North Island. Instead of pushing through long stretches, you move at a pace that lets you enjoy more of the coastline, small towns and pockets of scenery you might have skipped in the past. With Zero’s growing network spread across the island, it becomes easy to shape your route around places you actually want to stop, whether that’s a quick break in Palmerston North, a walk along Oriental Parade or a quick reset on your way up to the Far North.
Planning a few charging stops ahead of time helps, but the real joy often comes from the unplanned moments. A short wander while the car tops up, a good bakery you stumble across or a beach detour you would never have taken otherwise. These small discoveries build the kind of holiday that feels more relaxed, more interesting and a little richer than racing from one destination to the next.
If you’ve been thinking about making the North Island your first EV road trip, or your next, this summer is a great time to do it. The chargers are ready, the roads are warm and the North Island always has something new to show you when you travel at an EV pace. Just keep one eye on that range!
