Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
represent the major Maori tribes. Near the cove is the 35m
waka taua
(war canoe), also
built for the centenary. A photographic exhibit details how it was fashioned from gigantic
kauri logs.
The importance of the treaty is well understood by a NZ audience, but visitors might
find it surprising that there's not more information displayed here about the role it has
played in the nation's history: the long litany of breaches by the Crown, the wars and land
confiscations that followed, and the protest movement that led to the current process of re-
dress for historic injustices.
International visitors will get more out of what is already quite a pricey admission fee if
they pay extra for a guided tour ($10) or cultural performance ($15). The 30-minute per-
formance (11am and 1pm) demonstrates traditional Maori song and dance, including the
haka
(war dance). The Ultimate Combo (adult/child $40/free) is a combined ticket includ-
ing tour and performance. Other options include a Maori Cultural Workshop (adult/child
$60/35), and a
hangi
and concert (adult/child $105/50, Wednesday and Saturday Decem-
ber to March) at the Treaty Ground's Whare Waka (
Click here
)
cafe.
Entry is free to NZ citizens upon presentation of a passport or drivers licence.
Haruru Falls
(Haruru Falls Rd)
A walking track (1½ hours one way, 5km) leads from the Treaty Grounds
along the Waitangi River to these attractive horseshoe falls. Part of the path follows a
boardwalk through the mangroves. Otherwise you can drive here, turning right off Puket-
ona Rd onto Haruru Falls Rd.
WATERFALL
St Paul's Church
MAP
CHURCH
GOOGLE MAP
(Marsden Rd)
The characterful St Paul's was constructed of Kawakawa stone in 1925, and
stands on the site of NZ's first church, a simple
raupo
(bulrush) hut erected in 1823. Look
for the native birds in the stained glass above the altar - the kotare (kingfisher) represents
Jesus (the king plus 'fisher of men'), while the tui (parson bird) and kereru (wood pigeon)
portray the personalities of the Williams brothers (one scholarly, one forceful), who set up
the mission station here.
Opua Forest
MAP
FOREST
GOOGLE MAP
