The driving distance is about 144 road miles (232 km).
I am from Auckland and can confirm it's a comfortable (for a tourist driving on the 'wrong' side of the road) maximum 4 hour drive.
30 minutes flight or 3hr drive
Three hours.
Whakatane is farther.
Its about 15 minutes time Not that long...
3 hours, 6 minutes.
Aprox 30 mins.
About 235km / 150 miles (3 hours).
The journey from Auckland Central to Rotorua, via Hamilton is 235 km or 145 mi. It should take about 3 hours 30 minutes in light to moderate traffic. It'll take about the same time from Auckland International Airport.
No. The biggest city in New Zealand is Auckland.
230 km taking this route:Take SH-1 SOUTH towards HAMILTON, from Auckland, to SH-5 towards ROTURA, in Tirau, via SH-1B CAMBRIDGE to bypass Hamilton.Take SH-5 to Rotura.