| Bay of Islands |
Opua, Paihia and Waitangi, Russell,
Kerikeri |
| The Bay of Islands was an early area of Polynesian
settlement in Aotearoa (NZ) and was later the scene of contact first with Europeans
including James Cook. South Pacific whalers came here for rest, recreation and
reprovisioning where Kororareka (Russell) became a major centre of trade with Maori. By
the 1830's over 150 ships called into the bay annually and conflicts broke out between
Maori and Europeans, between whalers, seamen and missionaries. Kororareka became known as
the 'Hell Hole of the Pacific'. Today the Bay of Islands is home to hundreds of NZ boaters
and annually greets over 400 foreign yachts. |
| Opua is a ferry
crossing terminal, fishing port, yachting centre, oyster farming centre and clearance
port. It's also home to the Opua Cruising Club which, with the new marina (opened in
2000), is the hub of the boating community. TETHYS is currently hanging off one of the
many moorings in the Opua anchorage. We've joined the Opua Cruising Club and enjoy good
beer, inexpensive food and great camaraderie. Nearby Opua General Store has four computers
to access the Internet, and we use the Opua Post Agency as our local address. |
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| A NZ$10 taxi ride (or a great two hour coastal hike)
takes us to Paihia, a small town with three
banks, library, a small supermarket, hotels, motels, restaurants, and lots of souvenir
shops. Also the largest ice cream cones we've seen. We've opened a bank account, and
joined the library. Next to Paihia is historic Waitangi where, in February 1840, the
Treaty of Waitangi ceding governorship of New Zealand to Queen Victoria was signed by 46
Maori chiefs. |
| Directly across the bay from Paihia is the historic town of Russell, originally a Maori community called Kororareka.
Local legend tells of a Maori chief, wounded in battle, asked that some penguin broth be
brought to him. After drinking the broth he said 'Ka reka te korora' (how sweet is the
penguin). Thus - Kororareka - korora, the blue penguin - reka, sweet. |
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Kerikeri is about an
hour from Opua by car, although it is possible to get to there by boat up the winding and
shallow Kerikeri River. It's the biggest town in the Bay of Islands area with
optometrists, larger supermarkets, builders supplies and several book shops. It is home to
several of New Zealand's oldest buildings and has some good hiking too. |
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| Back to the Northland Map |
S/V
TETHYS