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Northland heritage

Heritage sites in Northland

Introduction

Explore the historic heritage sites that DOC looks after in Northland.

The North has had a long, fascinating and at times turbulent past, and Northland's landscapes, historic sites and buildings still reflect this history: the signs of the past remain clear on the face of the land.

Akeake Historic Reserve

Explore a fortified headland pa with commanding views of the western portion of the Bay of Islands.

Bream Head

Te Whara or Bream Head is a rich archaeological landscape resulting from more than 500 years of Māori occupation.

Cape Brett / Rakaumangamanga

A guiding light: The headland at Cape Brett has been keeping travelers safe for hundreds of years.

Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua heritage

The afterlife is a spiritual concept shared by many cultures. Visit the site of departure for Māori spirits.

Flagstaff Hill Historic Reserve

Before Flagstaff Hill was used for the flagpole it was occupied by Māori. The hill had a turbulent past with the first four erected flagstaffs cut down in protest.

Harata Historic Reserve (Paroa Pa)

Paroa Pa within the Harata Historic Reserve was designed before the arrival of guns, which radically changed pa design.

Hokianga Heads area

Explore an area rich in Maori history with spectacular views of the coastline and Hokianga harbour. At Arai Te Uru Recreational Reserve walk where Kupe first walked when he first landed on Aotearoa.

Kahuwera Pa Historic Reserve

Kahuwera pa on the Paroa Peninsula is a defended headland pa that features strongly in the historically significant Bay of Islands.

Kerikeri hydro-electric station

Visit the remnants of Kerikeri hydro station - the first power generation in Kerikeri and part of a well maintained track that runs from the historic Kerikeri Basin through to the stunning Rainbow Falls.

Mangōnui Courthouse

Located on the Mangōnui waterfront is a beautiful historic kauri building, the Mangōnui Courthouse.

Motuarohia Island Recreation Reserve

The island has a significant Māori history and offers a range of recreation activities, including a track to a stunning pa site, and an educational underwater trail for snorkelers.

Moturua Island Scenic Reserve

Visit Captain Cook's anchorage and enjoy the thriving native birdlife on pest-free Moturua Island in central Bay of Islands.

Motukawanui Island Scenic Reserve

Motukawanui Island off the coast of Northland is free from possums, mustelids and cats, and home to a flourishing population of native birds. There are opportunities for snorkelling and swimming and you can stay overnight in a hut.

Okiato Historic Reserve

The site of Okiato in the Bay of Islands was the home of New Zealand’s first capital from 1840-1841 and an important site in New Zealand’s early formational period.

Historic Puhipuhi Mercury Mines

At the Puhipuhi Mercury Mines, a jumble of WWII-era industrial equipment is hidden amongst the regenerating native vegetation.

Rangikapiti Pā

Rangikapiti Pā provides panoramic views over the Mangōnui Harbour. It is a significant site to Ngati Kahu, and the terraces and defensive ditch around the pa make it a distinctive feature on the landscape.

Tapeka Point Historic Reserve

Tapeka Pa is located on top of a steep coastal headland and has some of the most extensive earthworks in the Bay of Islands. Find out why Tapeka Point is known as 'Lovers Leap'.

Taumarumaru Scenic Reserve

Taumarumaru Reserve encompasses three pa sites historically significant to the early Ngati Awa and later the Ngati Kahu people – two pa sites are located on the headland (Ohumuhumu and Otanenui) and one on the central ridge (Taumarumaru).

History of Urupukapuka Island

On Urupukapuka an interpreted archaeological walk winds past pa sites, kainga (villages) and complexes of kumara storage pits.

Whangamumu Whaling Station

Whangamumu Harbour acted as a base for a shore whaling station in the 1800s and early 1900s.

Waitata Point Historic Reserve

Waitata Point Historic Reserve has a coastal battery that operated between 1943-44. The construction of the two gun emplacements make them unique to New Zealand’s military defence structures.

Motukiore Island Walk

This pleasant and easy walk takes you around the coastline across a causeway to Motukiore Island, and is a great summer family outing.

History of Waro Limestone Scenic Reserve

Waro Limestone Scenic Reserve is known for its striking limestone formations, but mining coal was in fact the focus of the Hikurangi community from 1895 until the 1950s.

History of Whangaruru

Find out more about the traditional and early historical significance of Whangaruru.

Whangaroa area

From mangroves to a Maori pa site, Whangaroa in the Bay of Islands offers visitors a number of interesting places to visit. Motukawanui Island is accessed from here.

History of Mimiwhangata

Oral history and archaeological evidence shows Mimiwhangata was once inhabited by a substantial Maori community. Major pa sites are spread over the peninsula and it is possible to see the patterns of long gone vegetable gardens on the hills.

Motuopao Island Nature Reserve

This important island refuge can only be visited by DOC staff, iwi, and researchers.

Okuratope Pa Historic Reserve

Okuratope pa is an excellent example of a complete and well-preserved fortified settlement, however public access is difficult.

Ruapekapeka Pā

Where dissatisfaction over the Treaty turned to war: The history of Ruapekapeka is entwined with that of the Treaty of Waitangi, a living document which continues to shape New Zealand society.

Waewaetorea Island Recreation Reserve

Discover historic Māori sites on Waewaetorea Island.

Waikare Historic Reserve

Discover an impressive pa site in Waikare Inlet.

Kororipo Heritage Park

The Meeting Pool: Under the protection of the Rangatira (Chief) Hongi Hika, the Church Mission Society established this enduring settlement.

Rangihoua Heritage Park

New Zealand's first Christmas: Explore the first planned European settlement where Māori and Europeans learned to live side by side.

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