Waiheke Island has been named as one of the world's top 10 regions to visit in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2016 edition.
Waiheke, which is located in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf, was listed at number five on the travel guide's picks of places to visit next year.
Lonely Planet has been providing jet-setters with travel tips for 55 years, and has sold more than 11 million copies worldwide.
To establish which destinations make the list and which ones miss out each year, a community of travellers, bloggers, tweeters and Lonely Planet staff brainstorm ideas for the Best in Travel recommendations, which are then refined by a panel of in-house experts.
Romania's Transylvania topped the list at number one, with West Iceland taking second place.
Regions in Cuba and Italy also beat Waiheke.
"A mere 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, New Zealand's third-most densely populated island is a utopia of secret coves, beautiful beaches, rolling vineyards, luxury lodges and bohemian sensibilities," says Lonely Planet's Asia Pacific sales and marketing director Chris Zeiher.
"Affectionately known as the 'Island of Wine', Waiheke is home to over 30 wineries and some of the best boutique cellar door experiences New Zealand has to offer."
But Waiheke isn't the only Kiwi gem to feature in next year's guide – the Speights Coast to Coast came in at number two on the list of 'Best Places to Test Your Survival Skills', and Queenstown's famous Fergburger got a tasty fifth place on the 'Best Burger Experiences' chart.
Lonely Planet's top 10 regions 2016:
1. Transylvania, Romania
2. West Iceland
3. Valle de Viñales, Cuba
4. Friuli’s wine regions, Italy
5. Waiheke Island, New Zealand
6. The Auvergne, France
7. Hawaii, USA
8. Bavaria, Germany
9. Costa Verde, Brazil
10. St Helena, British Territories
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