Northland

Just a three hour drive north of Auckland the giant kauri trees of the Waipoua Kauri Forest act as sentinels for the undiscovered jewel of Northland's west coast, the historic Hokianga Harbour. Known also as 'Te Kohanga o Te Tai Tokerau', the nest of the northern tribes as most Maori trace their ancestry to the discovery and settlement of this harbour, making it indeed the birthplace of the Nation. Well maintained tracks give access to the well known giants like 1400 year old Tane Mahuta and 2000 year Te Matua Ngahere, also many other forest walks including Yakas Track, Lookout walk and the Waiotemarama kauri and waterfall walks. Then discover several fabulous coastal walks including the Signal Station walk, with awesome sand dune views. Many quaint villages dot the Hokianga including the twin settlement of Omapere and Opononi made famous in 1955-56 by Opo the dolphin. Trips to 300 metre high sand dunes from here. Rawene, New Zealand's third oldest European settlement has historic Clendon House to visit as well as the recently completed mangrove walk. Kohukohu, is an historic timber mill town, while second oldest European settlement Horeke was an historic ship building town. Nearby Mangungu Mission House is the site of the second signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Hokianga has a wide range of accommodation, suiting the needs of all budgets, from Bed & Breakfasts, farm stays, backpackers and camping grounds to hotels and motels. There is plenty to see, do and explore including pony trekking, craft trail, carving, bush walks, sand dunes, fishing boating, swimming, golf, museum, great food at many cafes and eating establishments or just taking it easy in this wonderful relaxed atmosphere. The new vehicle ferry Kohu Ra Tuarua takes up to 21 cars a crossing providing a fast, comfortable trip across the Hokianga Harbour. First sailing from Rawene 7.30am and last sailing from the Narrows near Kohukohu at 8pm, it departs from Rawene on the half hour and the Narrows on the hour.

Kaitaia is a town in Northland, in the far north of New Zealand. It is located at the base of the Aupouri Peninsula, approximately 120km northwest of Whangarei. It is the last settlement of any size on the main road north to the capes and bays in the northernmost part of the island. Ahipara Bay, the southernmost part of Ninety Mile Beach, is five kilometres to the west of the town. The main industries of the town are forestry and tourism.

Kerikeri is a popular tourist destination in the famous Bay of Islands on the North Island of New Zealand about three hours drive north of Auckland, and 60 kilometres north of Whangarei. It is often described as the Cradle Of The Nation. It is the site of the first permanent mission station in the country, and has some of the most historic buildings extant in the country today. A rapidly-expanding centre of sub-tropical and allied horticulture, Kerikeri lies at the very western extremity of the Kerikeri Inlet, a northwestern arm of the Bay of Islands, where fresh water of the Kerikeri River tumbles into the salty Pacific Ocean. With its lush vegetation, modern appearance and progressive community, it was judged Top Small Town of New Zealand in 2001.

Ruakaka is a small town located on the sub tropical peninsula at the entrance to Whangarei Harbour, 32km from Whangarei city. The town stretches from sandstone cliffs inside the harbour at One Tree Point, through the heads and along the white sands of Bream Bay. Shellfish are readily found along the coastline and kingfish and snapper are plentiful around the shores. There is also a bowling club, golf course, tennis court and a pony club. Across the harbour is Whangarei Heads, with its picturesque coves and bays. The Marsden Point Oil Refinery is also close to Ruakaka, and is open to visitors. Ruakaka means "two parrots" in Maori ... there are no kaka (parrots) now, but just a leisurely stroll away is the mouth of the Ruakaka River, a protected sanctuary for a wide range of sea and native birds.

The township of Ruawai was so named in recognition of the location beside Two Waters, where the muddy waters of the Northern Wairoa River flow into the Kaipara Harbour. The Ruawai Flats feature a panoramic view of the residual volcanic cone of Tokatoka, and is an under-sea-level pasture land that is protected by a system of drains, canals, flood-gates and stop-banks. A monument to the foresight of the original pioneers, these safeguards enable the farmers and horticulturalists to produce high-quality butter-fat, crops of kumara and export squash. The benefits of a close-knit community and rural life style has enabled the indigenous Maori, Dalmation and British immigrants to live alongside one another in community-spirited harmony for over 150 years.

Whangarei is a city but also encompasses the surrounding hinterland in the Northland region of the North Island of New Zealand. Whangarei District includes the town of Hikurangi, and the suburbs of Kamo, Tikipunga, Whau Valley, Otangarei, Kensington, Regent, Maunu, Morningside, Raumanga, and Onerahi as well as a large amount of rural land, including beaches such as Ngunguru, game fishing mecca Tutukaka, and a variety of beaches along Whangarei Harbour. The area extends south as far as Bream Bay, north towards the Cape Brett peninsula, and west almost to the Waipoua Forest. It also includes the Hen and Chicken Islands and the Poor Knights Islands. It has a subtropical climate, and very few frosts. Summers rarely exceed 30 degrees, but there is plentiful rainfall, spread relatively evenly over the whole year.