If you’re looking for a road trip that’s sweet and scenic, head straight to New Zealand’s North Island. The region is home to some of the country’s passionate makers, who carefully source and create chocolate that’s guaranteed to raise the bar of your average bar. When you’ve got a Hertz rental car, tracking down these places is no longer a mission. It becomes a journey, easily achieved with comfort and convenience. Join us as we unwrap the best chocolatiers of the North island.
Auckland
Start your tour in Auckland, where the chocolate scene is as diverse as the city itself. Honest Chocolat, tucked into the Britomart precinct, is a sleek space that hand-crafts some dangerously good bonbons, filled with flavours like roasted hazelnut praline and yuzu caramel. Just across town, Miann Chocolate Factory offers a bean-to-bar experience, complete with single-origin tastings and house-made ice cream. If you're serious about craft, book a behind-the-scenes tour to see how they transform raw cacao into their innovative chocolate creations. 
Matakana
Drive about an hour out of Auckland to Matakana, a coastal town known for its wine and chocolate. Chocolate Brown is a local gem combining a chocolate shop, café and small museum dedicated to the craft. Their handmade truffles and dark chocolate bark are standouts, especially when paired with a locally roasted espresso. Ready to throw some vineyards into your escape? It’s that easy with a rental car—just remember to have a designated driver if you plan on doing any tastings.
Rotorua
Rotorua is better known for its geothermal wonders, but it’s also home to a unique chocolate shop that brings indigenous flavours into the mix. Capers Café + Store features a curated range of New Zealand-made chocolates, including limited-edition bars infused with native ingredients like kawakawa and horopito. While you’re here, treat yourself to a tasting plate and a locally brewed hot chocolate, before heading for those famous hot springs.
Taupō
Head down to the serene alpine region of Taupō, and head straight to The Chocolate Story. This small but passionate shop specialises in chocolate from ethically sourced beans, transformed into everything from silky ganache to freeze-dried fruit bars, all made on-site. Stop in for a tasting, grab a lakeside coffee, and enjoy the view of New Zealand’s largest lake with something sweet in-hand.
Wellington
No North Island chocolate tour would be complete without a stop in Wellington. Explore the city, then stop by Wellington Chocolate Factory: a bean-to-bar producer that sources their beans from the Pacific and beautifully packages their bars with the help of local artists. Over in Miramar, La Petite Chocolat creates a beautiful melange of French techniques and native infusions. 
Whanganui
Whanganui is home to Eclectic Chocolates, a small, family-run operation that punches well above its weight. Their handcrafted selection ranges from dark chilli bites to creamy milk bars with locally foraged ingredients. It's the kind of place where you can talk directly to the maker and leave with a few favourites you didn’t know you needed.
For Chocolate, With Hertz
The North Island is essential driving for anyone with a taste for top-tier chocolate. It’s also a chance to meet local makers, learn about their process, and support ethical trade. And when you’re in a Hertz rental car, you don’t need to worry about whether or not transport these far-flung chocolatiers are within reach. All you need to do is unlock and hop in.
