When setting up a new iPad, I discovered that iCloud was not syncing all of my contacts. Most of the contacts were succesfully added to the new iPad, but there were several contacts that showed up ONLY on the iPhone, and did not get added to the new iPad.
Googling for an answer, I found I was not the only person with this issue, and in calling the local Apple store, I discovered the local "geniuses" did not have the answer.
Well, here's the easy solution:
If you've used iPhones for a while, you may have contacts separated into two Groups, one syncing to iCloud, and one not syncing to iCloud.
From the All Contacts screen on your iPhone, tap Groups
Do you see one group labeled All My Contacts on iCloud, and another group labeled All My Contacts on My iPhone?
Only the contacts in the iCloud group are syncing.
To fix that go to Settings -> iCloud, tap and move the button to the left of the word Contacts to the OFF position
A dialog box pops up asking "What would you like to do with the previously synced iCloud contacts on your iPhone?"
Tap "Keep on My iPhone". Do NOT click on "Delete from My iPhone".
Wait a moment or two, then go back to Settings -> iCloud, tap and move the button to the left of the word Contacts back to the ON position
As soon as you move the button back to the on position, another dialog box will pop up showing "Your contacts will be merged with iCloud".
Tap the word Merge .. and mission accomplished! All contacts are now available in the new iPad.