Whangareiis the major population centre ofNorthlandand the northernmost "city" in theNorth IslandofNew Zealand. It is part of theWhangarei District, a local body created in 1989 to administer both the city proper and its hinterland from the former Whangarei City, Whangarei County and Hikurangi Town councils.
The Whangarei urban area is spread throughout the valleys of the surrounding area and has several suburbs:Kamo,Springs Flat,Tikipunga,Three Mile Bush,Otangarei,Mairtown,Regent,Kensington, andWhau Valleylie to the north of the city. South and west of the city centre areMorningside,Raumanga,Maunu,Horahora, Woodhill, and the Avenues, and to the east are Riverside, Sherwood Rise,Onerahi, and Parihaka.