Bay Of Islands History
Northland, especially the Bay of Islands, is known as the birthplace of the nation. At Rangihoua Bay, missionary Samuel Marsden introduced Maori to Christianity on Christmas Day 1814, and at Te Waha o te Riri ('the inlet of war'), Ngapuhi Chief Hongi Hika embarked with his merciless war parties in the 1820s.
Russell
Over the bay is Kororareka (renamed Russell in 1844), which sealers, whalers and sailors turned into 'the Hell-hole of the Pacific' before Hone Heke (Hika's nephew) wasted the town after felling the Union Jack for the fourth and last time on Maiki (Flagstaff) Hill in 1845.
The Treaty Of Waitangi
At Waitangi, 43 chiefs were first to sign the Treaty of Waitangi on 6 February, 1840. The treaty is the founding document of New Zealand and is still in force to this day.
Kerikeri
Kerikeri, built on the blood of revenge, the word of the Bible and the sweet taste of the orange, is home to the Kerikeri Basin, a 60 hectare Historic and Recreational Reserve which many believe deserves to be a World Heritage Site. It holds the historically significant Kemp House, the oldest building in New Zealand, and the Stone Store, which has recently re-opened after a $1 million restoration.
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