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Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is a stunningly beautiful length of sand and rock coastline that circles a sea pierced by 150 islands. Explore one of the islands, dive wrecks at the bottom of the awesome ocean bottom, hike the giant kauri forests, or relax and enjoy the historical, local townships. The Bay of Islands are in the Northland region in the far north of the North Island of New Zealand.

Located 60 kilometres north-west of Whangarei, the bay is a natural harbour with an irregular 16 kilometre wide inlet. Several sections of the bay extend into the land, notably Waikare Inlet in the south and Kerikeri and Te Puna (Mangonui) inlets in the north-west. The small town of Russell is located at the end of a short peninsula that extends into the bay from the south-east. Several islands lie to the north of the Bay of Islands peninsula, including UrupukapukaIsland to the east and MoturoaIsland to the north. The PureruaPeninsula extends to the west of the bay, and CapeBrettPeninsula extends 10 kilometres into the Pacific Ocean at the eastern end of the bay.

Wherever you are in the Bay of Islands, it's impossible to escape the lure of the sea. Catch a ferry or charter boat and immerse yourself in the blue-green world of island and beach. Or paddle a sea kayak in and out of island nooks and crannies. Swimming with dolphins is another specialty of the Bay of Islands. Many operators in the region offer excellent trips to spectacular CapeBrett and the 'Hole in the Rock' on PiercyIsland. The townships of this historical bay are alive with memories of the area's colourful history. Visitors are welcome to explore the well-preserved relics of the past, both Maori and European, in romantic Russell, Paihia, Waitangi or Kerikeri.

Not so long ago the Bay of Islands saw the throng and bustle, blood and tears of ship deserters, whalers, sealers and sailors. The Bay of Islands, birthplace of New Zealand as we know it today, was once a bustling seafaring and political base fusing Maori and European culture. Now it is a place of holiday fun and water adventures, refined food and wine pleasures and quiet contemplation of the past. Several towns are scattered like shells around the coast, each with its own individual feel. There's the main holiday town Paihia—a vibrant, uptempo place and a few minutes away elegant Russell, once a whaling town, now a tranquil oasis.

It's a sweet irony that the town described in the lawless late 1800's as 'the hellhole of the Pacific' is now one of the countries’s most refined places to visit. In Russell, our colonial past is honoured in our present with carefully restored historic buildings such as ChristChurch with its bullet holes from the Maori Wars.


Early History - Waitangi

The famous British explorer, Captain James Cook, discovered New Zealand in 1769. In 1772 the arrival of French navigator Marion de Fresne created a conflict between the Maori and European settlers, resulting in much bloodshed. Later came religious leaders like Australian Anglican missionary Samuel Marsden in 1814 and the first Roman Catholic Bishop of the south-west Pacific, John Baptist Francis Pompallier. Bishop Pompallier was respected by Maori chiefs and European leaders alike and was present at Waitangi.

On what is a nation based but the agreements of its peoples? In the case of New Zealand, a bi-cultural country of Maori tribes (iwi) and British settlers- this is the agreement between Maori chiefs and the British Crown known as the Treaty of Waitangi.

At the same time as establishing British law in New Zealand, the Treaty guaranteed Maori authority over their land and culture. The British Government sent Captain William Hobson to New Zealand with the mission of acquiring sovereignty of the country by way of a treaty. This was duly drawn up, translated and signed by 43 Northland chiefs followed by over 500 other Maori chiefs in 1840. The Treaty of Waitangi remains central to New Zealand law and society. With two language versions; Maori and English, written and translated by people with little or no legal know-how, these versions differ to such an extent that there have been problems of interpretation. For example, in regard to sovereignty the English version states that Maori surrender their 'kawanatanga' (sovereignty) and transfer power to the British Crown while the Maori version implies a sharing of power. Some may ask which version of the Treaty is the correct one. The answer is both. Since two versions were signed, both are taken into account and regard is given to each document when decisions are being made.

A Toilet in History

It's extraordinary that amid all the colonial history of this area in the Kawakawa township you'll find the only building in the Southern hemisphere designed by Austrian artist, Frederick Hundertwasser and the last of his buildings before he died in 1999. Even more curious, it's the public toilet.

Activity Highlights

Country cafes, gourmet restaurants, kayaking, swimming with dolphins, touching history, walking coastal tracks, seeing Maori war canoes, game fishing, cruising, resting. Bay of Islands has an abundance of different kinds of experiences to connect with the people and culture, ocean and land.

*VisitCapeBrett Lighthouse by walking track or take a boat to GrandCathedralCave or 'the hole in the rock'.

*Follow big game fisherman and American Western writer Zane Grey who caught marlin here in 1921.

*Be guided through historic sites with story-telling.

*Feel the roar of noise at HaruruFalls, a rare horseshoe-shaped waterfall that flows to the legendary 'taniwha' or water monster in the lagoon below.

*Walk along a red pohutukawa tree blossom-strewn golden sand beach.

*See whales, penguins, seals and listen to the songs of seabirds.

*Have a round of golf on the most majestic of courses.

*Ride a jet-ski in the hot sun, sit in the shade with an iced tea.

*Go swimming with dolphins, sailing, big game fishing and kayaking

*Visit Waitangi National Reserve, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840

*Look around Pompallier, in Russell, an original rammed earth Catholic Missionary House

*Dive the Rainbow Warrior - MatauriBay is the final resting place of the Greenpeace flagship, the Rainbow Warrior. Dive trips to the Rainbow Warrior operate out of MatauriBay and Paihia

Over a thousand year ago, Kupe and his people had traveled thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean with only stars to guide them. With the passing of time, other races discovered Northland. In 1769 James Cook came to New Zealand, extensively charted both North and South Island and gave the Bay of Islands its present name. And it was in Northland in 1840 that all the inhabitants of New Zealand officially intertwined their lives with the signing of the "Treaty of Waitangi". It is the cradle of European civilization in New Zealand and has fine examples of Maori culture for you to experience. Truly named, Bay of Islands is one of the finest cruising grounds in the world having incredible scenery. Captain Cook was said to have described this beautiful region as "very uncommon and romantic" and cruising the Bay of Islands proved him correct. It is the finest Maritime Park and a natural wonderland in New Zealand with 144 islands, secluded bays and an abundance of marine life including marlin, whales, penguins, dolphins, gannets and many other species. The area is the warmest part of New Zealand - the average temp. is 24 degrees in summer and 16 degrees C in winter. The towns of Paihia and picturesque Russell are perfect places to wander amongst the many shops and restaurants along the waterfront. The Bay is the perfect base from which to explore further North. See the magnificent Kauri forests, awesome "90 Mile Beach", Cape Reinga - the top of New Zealand, craft shops of Kerikeri and great Golf Courses.

Paihia : Paihia is the Bay of Island's busiest town and largest tourism centre in Northland. Everything is focused around visitors, with a myriad of water cruises and scenic tours. Famous for scenic cruise to Cape Brett (Hole in the Rock) and watching Dolphins. Its small population swells in summer months with lots of anglers, deep sea fishermen, scuba divers, kayakers, and myriad seafarers, dolphin lovers and water sports enthusiasts.

Russell : Originally known as Kororareka, Russell was also known as 'Hell hole of the Pacific' now transformed to "Romantic Russell". Historic Russell was the capital New Zealand before it was shifted to Auckland in 1840. Everything in Russell is within walking distance; in addition there is a very frequent ferry service between Russell and Paihia.

Waitangi : It was here on 6th February 1840 that the Treaty of Waitangi (New Zealand's founding document) was signed outside the home of James Busby, the British Governor and the country's first winemaker. His residency was renamed Treaty House and became a national memorial in 1932.

90 Mile Beach and Cape Reinga : A must do visit tour for those who want to enjoy the magnificent natural wonders of the North. You will be over-awed by the spectacular expand of Ninety Mile Beach and the mystique of Cape Reinga. Thunder along Ninety Mile Beach to the top of New Zealand and wander out to the lighthouse. Our daily Tours depart year round from Paihia at 7.30 or 8.00 AM from Kerikeri, by Luxury air-conditioned "Waverider" coaches with informative commentary by experienced, friendly coach captains. During Cape Reinga visit there are numerous stops for you to take the scenic highlights and activities including the grandeur of the mighty Kauri Trees, Te Paki quicksand stream and gigantic sand dunes, as well as Ancient Kauri Kingdom. This tour is available with a delicious barbeque lunch in scenic Tapotupotu Bay.

Whangarei : Picturesque Whangarei is Northland's largest city famous for its many parks and gardens. 5 Kms from the centre of town, the Whangarei Falls are amongst New Zealand's most beautiful, dropping 26 meters over basalt cliffs into shimmering pools.

Tutukaka and the Poor Knights Islands : Tutukaka is the diving and big game fishing Mecca of New Zealand. Poor Knights Islands, a protected marine reserve for the last 22 years have been rated by the famous Jacques Cousteau as one of the top 10 Dive Sites in the World. It has the visibility up to 30m underwater allow the diver to see and enjoy spectacular, rich and diverse tapestry of marine wildlife.