Waiheke Island is an island in the Hauraki Gulf, just off the North Island of New Zealand. It is 35 minutes by ferry from Auckland and is a popular destination for day trips and longer visits. Waiheke Island is the third most populous island of New Zealand with around 8,000 permanent residents, many of whom commute to Auckland each work day. In summer the population swells dramatically as the island is a popular destination for both overseas travellers and New Zealanders. The island is home to over 14 vineyards and it's microclimate is well suited for winemaking. Olives are also quite established on the island and some extremely nice olive oils are produced. The northern side of Waiheke is well known for it's relatively uncrowded white sand beaches, while on the southern side beaches are quite tidal and swimming is dependent on the tides. http://wikitravel.org/en/Waiheke_Island