Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BAY OF ISLANDS
The Bay of Islands ranks as one of NZ's top tourist drawcards, and the turquoise waters of
the bay are punctuated by around 150 undeveloped islands. In particular, Paihia has excel-
lent budget accommodation, and boat trips and water sports are very popular.
The Bay of Islands is also a place of enormous historical significance. Maori knew it as
Pewhairangi and settled here early in their migrations. As the site of NZ's first permanent
British settlement (at Russell), it is the birthplace of European colonisation in the country.
It was in this region that the Treaty of Waitangi was drawn up and first signed in 1840; the
treaty remains the linchpin of race relations in NZ today.
