Bay of Islands
Visitors are attracted to the Bay of Islands for sightseeing, water sports
and exploring the history of New Zealand.
The Bay of Islands is well named as it has 144 islands and many secluded
bays. It is a marine park and the marine life includes marlin, whales,
penguins, dolphins, gannets and many other species.
 Bay of Islands- Russell from Flagstaff - Credit- Peter Hunt
The main tourist centre is Paihia, but from there visitors take many trips.
Bus trips take them to Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach and launch trips
take them across the Bay to Russell.
The Bay of Islands is rich in history. Early in the nineteenth century
whalers, sealers and traders congregated in Kororareka, now Russell. In the
bay the first Christian service was conducted by English missionary, Samuel
Marsden, on Christmas Day 1814. The Waitangi National Reserve, a short walk
from Paihia, is where the Treaty of Waitangi, the founding document of
modern New Zealand, was signed in 1840. The house where the treaty was
signed has been preserved and you can now visit the Waitangi Visitor Centre
and Treaty House, watch an audio-visual about the history of the area, and
look at a collection of Maori artefacts. On the Reserve there is also an
impressive Maori meeting house and war canoe.
 Bay of Islands- Looking towards Paihia from Flagstaff - Credit- Peter Hunt
Sailing, cruising, sea-kayaking, fishing and swimming with the dolphins are
popular activities on the water, and sky diving, gliding and parasailing
are avilable for those who like to be airborne.
 Bay of Islands- Treaty House - Credit- Peter Hunt
Visit the Waitangi National Reserve and you can see the Treaty House where
the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, te whare runanga,the Maori
meeting house built to honour the centennial of the signing of the Treaty,
and another centennial project, the world's largest war canoe.
 Bay of Islands- Maori Meeting House - Credit- Peter Hunt
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