Bay of Islands & Northland - New Zealand's North Island - page 230

Information
Visitor Information Centre ( 09-431 5090; www.mangawhai.co.nz ) Staffed sporadically (mainly on
weekends and in summer), but there are information boards outside.
MAORI NZ: NORTHLAND
Known to Maori as Te Tai Tokerau, this region has a long and proud Maori history and today has one of the coun-
try's highest percentages of Maori people. Along with East Cape, it's a place where you might hear Maori being
spoken. In mythology the region is known as the tail of the fish of Maui.
Maori sites of particular significance include Cape Reinga, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Ruapekapeka Pa His-
toric Reserve and, in the Waipoua Forest, Tane Mahuta.
Maori cultural experiences are offered by many local operators, including Footprints Waipoua, Sandtrails
Hokianga, Motuti Marae, Ahikaa Adventures, Sand Safaris, Terenga Paraoa, Native Nature Tours, Taiamai Tours,
Rewa's Village and Culture North. Many businesses catering to travellers are owned or run by Maori individuals
or hapu (subtribal) groups. Tai Tokerau Tourism ( www.taitokerau.co.nz ) lists many of them on its website.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Waipu & Bream Bay
POP 1854
The original 934 British settlers came to Waipu from Scotland via Nova Scotia (Canada)
between 1853 and 1860. These dour Scots had the good sense to eschew frigid Otago,
where so many of their kindred settled, for sunnier northern climes. The story comes to
life through holograms, a short film and interactive displays at the Waipu Museum
( www.waipumuseum.co.nz ; 36 The Centre; adult/child $8/3; 10am-4pm) .
Only 10% of current residents are direct descendants of the original Scots, but there's a
big get-together on 1 January every year, when the Highland Games ( www.waipugames.co.nz ; adult/
child $15/5) , established in 1871, take place in Caledonian Park. Just south of Waipu town-
ship, there's good swimming at Waipu Cove and Langs Beach .
There are also excellent walks in the area, including the Waipu Coastal Trail , which heads
south from Waipu Cove - around to Langs Beach, passing the Pancake Rocks on the way.
The 2km Waipu Caves Walking Track starts at Ormiston Rd and passes through farmland and a
scenic reserve en route to a large cave containing glowworms and limestone formations;
bring a torch, a compass and sturdy footwear to delve the depths.
Bream Bay has miles of blissfully deserted beach, blighted only slightly by a giant oil
refinery at the north end. At Uretiti , a stretch of beach south of a DOC campsite ( www.doc.govt.nz ;