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
excellent 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 per-
manent 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.
Activities
