Rich In History and a must see when visiting New Zealand

Swim with the dolphins, fish, dive, golf or just take in the unspoilt scenery of New Zealand's famous Bay of Islands. A great holiday destination all the year round. The 144 islands are a haven for holiday makers who enjoy sea activities and the beauty of the un crowded sub-tropical sandy beaches and native forests. It is also an area of considerable historical significance and is popular with craftspeople. It is the cradle of European civilisation in New Zealand and has fine examples of Maori culture for you to experience.

Wherever you are in the Bay of Islands, it’s impossible to escape the lure of the sea. There are almost endless opportunities for immersing yourself in the blue-green world of island and beach. Charter a yacht or launch. Dive or snorkel. Paddle a sea kayak in and out of the islands’ nooks and crannies. Swim with dolphins.

Many people come to the Bay of Islands with marlin in mind. Zane Grey, the great American western writer and big game fisherman, pitched a tent and caught his first marlin here in 1926. He made sure the world heard about it! Today enthusiasts come from all over the globe in pursuit of marlin, broad bills and game sharks. You can take part in keenly contested tournaments or hire a boat and fight your own private battles with the denizens of the deep. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular and can only be fully appreciated by cruising through the area.

The Maritime Park is a natural wonderland with an abundance of wildlife including marlin, whales, penguins, dolphins, gannets and many other species.

Average daily temperatures range from 26.8 C/80 F in summer to 16 C/61 F in winter.

Paihia Area Backpacker, B&B, Motel, Hotel, Holiday Home and Luxury Accommodation

Russell Backpacker, B&B, Motel, Hotel, Holiday Home and Luxury Accommodation

Historical Background

In 1769, the English explorer Captain James Cook dropped anchor in the Bay of Islands and set the wheels in motion for its settlement by the English. It was Cook who named the place Bay of Islands and it was here that English settlers first set up home in the Land of the Long White Cloud. The birth of New Zealand nationhood is traced back to 1840 Waitangi when Maori tribal leaders and the English colonisers forged a treaty which despite some flaws remains a watershed document for uniting New Zealand's various peoples into one common nation. After the Treaty, the British established Russell as the nation's capital, which later moved south to Auckland, then farther south to Wellington.

A Maori settlement
Russell was an established settlement of the Maori people long before the arrival of Captain Cook and the sailing ship 'Endeavour' in 1769. Its Maori name was Kororareka which comes from a legend about a wounded Maori chief who asked for penguin and on tasting the broth said, 'Ka reka ko korora' (how sweet is the penguin).

The Whalers
From the early 1800s South Sea Whalers found Kororareka an ideal port to collect provisions, The town grew as more and more ships landed there but soon it gained a reputation as a lawless and bawdy port, earning the nickname 'Hellhole of the Pacific'. Deserting seamen, runaway convicts, grog sellers and prostitutes all made their homes there. The whalers bartered muskets for food and this encouraged the local Maori Chief Hongi Hika and the northern Maori to instigate local inter-tribal warfare.

The Missionaries
After the whalers the missionaries arrived. The first mission station was set up by the Reverend Samuel Marsden in 1815. In 1819, at the invitation of the Maori Chief Hongi Hika, he established the second mission station at Kerikeri. The first Roman Catholic mission was set up by Bishop Pompallier in Russell in 1839.

First British Official Resident
James Busby arrived in Paihia in 1833 as the official British Resident sent out from England. He was expected to protect the traders and settlers, prevent outrages against Maori, capture convicts, and encourage the Maori chiefs to keep order.

Busby settled with his wife and children in a house built at Waitangi from a wooden frame shipped over from Sydney. At this time there were around 1000 settlers in the Bay.

First British Governor
On 29 January 1840 Captain William Hobson arrived having been appointed the Lt Governor of New Zealand. His job was to make a treaty with the Maori chiefs. Busby's position as British Resident ceased, but he continued to assist Hobson and he also prepared the English draft of the Treaty of Waitangi for Hobson's consideration.

The Treaty of Waitangi

The Treaty was signed on February 6, 1840, outside the home of James Busby by forty six Maori chiefs and later over 450 Maori leaders around the country added their mark to the agreement.

The Treaty House

Busby's house, now known as the Treaty House is open to the public daily. In 1844, only four years later, Hone Heke, together with another chief Kawiti, showed their displeasure by chopping down the British flagstaff at Maiki Hill in Russell. Skirmishes between the Maori and Europeans have continued in various forms. Today the Government is currently working on the settlement of land claims and fishing rights which have been disputed since the original Treaty.

Exploring places full of history

Waitangi National Reserve
Just a few kilometres north of the town is the historic Waitangi National Reserve. If you are interested in history, this is the ideal place to visit. Start your tour at the Visitor Centre where you can view a video outlining the events surrounding the Treaty of Waitangi.

You can then walk around the extensive grounds visiting the Treaty House, the Maori Meeting House and the Maori War Canoe.

The Treaty House, one of New Zealand's oldest surviving buildings, fell into disrepair after the Busby family left in the 1870s. It was not until 1932, when Lord Bledisloe bought the house and grounds and gifted it to the nation, that it was restored and rebuilt to its present standard.

If you have time you can take a stroll around the reserve which includes recreational areas, tidal estuary, mangrove forest, open coastline and native bush. It's a most enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

Russell
If you are not keen on walking why not take the Russell Mini Tours boutique bus tour which departs next to Russell Wharf. The trip includes Tapeka Beach, Long Beach, Maiki Hill where the famous flagstaff was cut down four times by Honi Heke and many of the historical places in Russell. The museum and many of the historical highlights are within a short level walk from the wharf.

For those who like to do their own thing first visit the Visitor and Cultural Centre along the waterfront. The building was previously the site of Russell's post office and courthouse from 1875-1969. At the centre pick up a leaflet on local heritage trails and then you can work out what you want to visit and how to get there. For more details visit our Russell page

Don't forget to see Christ Church - the oldest existing church in New Zealand, built in 1836 and still showing some of the old musket ball holes from the early wars. The grave stones dating back to the first settlers and whalers make interesting reading. Russell also boasts New Zealand's first police station and first liquor license (The Duke of Marlborough hotel)

Pompallier House is just further along from the information centre. Built in 1942, it was used as a printery of the Roman Catholic Mission and later a tannery and private home.

For lunch, try the Duke of Marlborough also on the waterfront. This is the fourth hotel on the same site (earlier ones were burnt down) It holds New Zealand's number 1 licence dated August 1827. They serve wonderful fish meals so fresh and tasty - it just melts in your mouth

Kemp House and Maori village
Next door to the store is Kemp House built for the Rev. John Butler in 1822 after the Rev. Samuel Marsden established his second mission station in Kerikeri in 1819. The tour also takes you to a reconstructed Maori village and the Waitangi Treaty House. In the afternoon you are taken to many of the craft workshops in the area - lots of good ideas for presents and souvenirs of good quality.

Outdoor Activities
The Bay of Islands is the finest Maritime Park in New Zealand with 144 islands, secluded bays and an abundance of marine life. There is much to offer visitors all the year round. From sailing, fishing, snorkeling, swimming to golfing walking, eating out - it's all there.  These islands comprise the archipelago of small islands in the Bay of Islands. Most of them are uninhabited by man, many are still unexplored.  About the only island which has some facilities is Urupukapuka Island lying northeast of Russell. There are some 40 sites on the islands which are part of the Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park. Its visitor information centre is at Russell. These islands may have marked walks, Maori pas and other historical sites, as well as recreation reserves.

© 2012 Tapeka Del Mar