The central plateau, dominated by Mt Ruapehu, is a hard region with the culinary accent on game – fish, fur and fowl. The soils are generally pumice based, with a swathe of yellow-brown earths in the steep lands of the west. It is predominantly wild country of extensive sheep, beef and deer farming with an isolated region of market gardens around Ohakune.

Natural vegetation remains in many places, including large areas of mountain beech and tussock grassland. The climate is mostly cool and moist, with a warmer, dry zone around the northern fringe of Lake Taupo.

Contemporary, distinctive regional foods include: Sika and red deer, hare, quail, trout, ling honey, farmed fresh water prawns, Brussels sprouts, carrots and parsnips.