Bay of Islands & Northland - New Zealand's North Island - page 300

little cottages set among exotic fruit and nut trees. This quiet retreat is 2km from the ferry
terminus (turn sharp left as you come off the ferry).

TOP OF CHAPTER

Horeke & Around
Tiny Horeke was NZ's second European settlement after Russell. A Wesleyan mission op-
erated here from 1828 to 1855, while, in 1840, 3000 Ngapuhi gathered here for what was
the single biggest signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The rustic Horeke Tavern
( www.horeketavern.co.nz ; 2118 Horeke Rd; 1pm-late Wed-Sun, bistro Thu-Sun 5.30-8pm) is reputedly New
Zealand's oldest pub - the first cold one was poured back in 1826 - and the garden bar
rocks with live music on occasional weekends during summer.
Horeke is also the western end point of the Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail
( Click here ) .

Sights & Activities

Mangungu Mission House
( www.historic.org.nz ; Motukiore Rd; adult/child $10/free; noon-4pm Sat & Sun) Completed in 1839, this
sweet wooden cottage contains relics of the missionaries who once inhabited it, and of
Horeke's shipbuilding past. In the grounds there's a large stone cross and a simple wooden
church. Mangungu is 1km down the unsealed road leading along the harbour from Horeke
village.

HISTORIC BUILDING

Wairere Boulders Nature Park
( www.wairereboulders.co.nz ; McDonnell Rd; adult/child/family $15/5/35; to 5pm/7pm winter/summer) At
Wairere, massive basalt rock formations have been eroded into odd fluted shapes by the
acidity of ancient kauri forests. Allow an hour for the main loop track, but wear sensible
shoes and expect a few dips and climbs. An additional track leads through rainforest to a
platform at the end of the boulder valley (allow 1½ hours). The park is signposted from
SH1 and Horeke; the last 3km are unsealed.
Without your own transport, get here on a Discover Hokianga tour by Fullers ( Click
here ) , which departs from Paihia.

NATURE PARK