Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Beaches
Karekare
Classic black sand beach west of Auckland with wild surf (Eddie Vedder nearly drowned here), so be careful.
(
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)
Hahei
Iconic Kiwi beach on the Coromandel, with mandatory side trips to Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach. (
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here
)
Wainui Beach
On the North Island's East Coast, with surfing, sandcastles, sunshine… the quintessential Kiwi beach for
all travelling beach bums. BYO Jack Johnson tunes. (
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)
Manu Bay
NZ's most famous surf break (seen
Endless Summer
?) peels ashore south of Raglan. There's not much sand,
but the left-hand point break is what you're here for. (
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)
History
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
In the Bay of Islands, where the contentious Treaty of Waitangi was first signed by Maori
chiefs and the British Crown. (
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)
Te Papa
Wellington's vibrant treasure-trove museum, where history, both Maori and Pakeha, speaks, sparkles, shakes.
(
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)
Whanganui River Road
Drive alongside the slow-curling Whanganui River past Maori towns and groves of deciduous
trees, remnants of failed Pakeha farms. (
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)
Russell
New Zealand's first capital used to be a rambunctious and rowdy haven for boozing sailors, but now it's a pretty
harbourside village with historic sites aplenty. (
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)
Maori Culture
Auckland
The country's biggest city is renowned for having the planet's biggest Pacific Island population, but a handful
of excellent Maori tour operators also showcase Auckland's indigenous culture and history. (
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)
Rotorua
Catch a cultural performance at one of several venues: experience a
haka
(war dance) and a
hangi
(Maori
feast), with traditional song, dance, folklore and storytelling. (
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)
Footprints Waipoua
Explore the staggeringly beautiful Waipoua Kauri Forest on Northland's West Coast with a Maori
guide. (
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)
Taiami Tours Heritage Journeys
Help paddle a
waka
(Maori canoe) along the sleepy Waitangi River to Haruru Falls.
Tours include being welcomed onto a
marae
(meeting place) by the passionate Mihaka family. (
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)
Museums
Auckland Museum
A classical Greek-temple design housing a superb collection of Maori and Pacific Islander arte-
facts, with wonderful guided tours. (
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)
Voyager - New Zealand Maritime Museum
From the earliest Maori migrations to the yachting heroics of the Amer-
ica's Cup, seafaring and sailing has been important to the city of Auckland. (
Click here
)
