Normally i don't nitpick but having studied physics i felt i should add to this discussion. The earth's north magnetic pole is actually magnetic south. So you are correct that the opposites must attract with regards to a compass needle and the earth's magnetic field. However, it is convention that the compass needle is considered not reversed and all the stuff with the right hand rule in electromagnetism follows from this.
It won't matter anyway, the field is going to wander around and reverse itself in a hundred thousand years. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />