New Zealand’s Northland

New Zealand’s Northland and Bay of Islands- Historic Maritime Park

Kaitaia is New Zealand’s largest Northland town, offering everything from adventure eco-tours to big-game fishing, with gold medal winning wineries and a thriving community of skilled craftspeople working in native flax, bone and greenstone. On the east coast, visit Kerikeri’s Aroha Ecological Centre to see kiwis in their natural environment or walk to the magnificent Rainbow Falls or the Puketi Kauri Forest.

The Bay of Islands is the country’s finest maritime park, a stunningly beautiful length of sand and rock coastline circling 144 islands, with secluded bays and an abundance of marine life including dolphins, whales, marlin, gannets and penguins. There are countless activities – fishing, forest and beach walks; skydiving, parasailing, scuba diving or kayaking as well as scenic golf courses. Explore the islands, dive among wrecks at the bottom of the ocean, hike the giant kauri forests, or relax and enjoy the historical and picturesque local townships’ museum, cafés, restaurants and craft galleries.

The birthplace of a nation, Waitangi was discovered by legendary Maori navigator Kupe, when the first Polynesian voyagers journeyed here by canoe during the 11th century. After the landing of Captain Cook in 1769, missionaries, whalers and traders arrived. The Treaty of Waitangi, the contract between Maori chiefs and the British Crown, was signed here in 1840. The historic Treaty House is located on a vast estate which includes a fully carved Maori Meeting House and one of the largest Maori war canoes.

The North of New Zealand offers fine sailing, lovely summer weather and a variety of activities to suit all tastes!