Paihia



Paihia is an historic town (population 1,800) in the Bay of Islands in the Northland region of the North Island of New Zealand. It has numerous sights and activities, and stunning views of the bay.

Understand
An early Christian missionary, Henry Williams, settled in Paihia in 1823 and built New Zealand's first church here. Adjacent Waitangi is where representatives of the English Crown and a number of Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi on 6 February 1840. The estate is a must-see for anyone interested in New Zealand's history and culture.

Marsden Road is the main waterfront road. The commercial centre is around the junction of Marsden Road and Williams Road. The wharf from where most of the maritime activities depart is here. The Maritime Building next to the wharf houses two tour companies.

Several cruises that depart from Paihia are approved by the Department of Conservation to seek dolphins and whales in the wild. Some tours allow you to swim in the sheltered bay with common and bottlenose dolphins. Cruises may also see baleen whales, orca, seals, fish, penguins and other sea and bird life.



Get in
By bus

Several tourist coach companies offer daily sightseeing services from downtown Auckland including InterCity. These services take around 4 hours and may include rest stops and commentary on local history. Many packaged tours include the Bay of Islands in their North Island itinerary.

By plane

Air New Zealand flies to Kerikeri Airport from Auckland. Paihia is 20 minutes away by car or shuttle van.

By boat

Passenger ferries run hourly to and from Russell. The timetable varies by the seasons. There is also a vehicle ferry from Okiato to Opua (6km south of Paihia).

Get around
You can pretty much walk everywhere. Local taxis are available.

Do

 * Walk the track on the north side of the Waitangi River between the Treaty Grounds and Haruru Falls or join a guided kayak tour for an understanding of how mangrove forests fit into coastal ecology.
 * Swim at the long, sandy beach north of the wharf along the road to Waitangi.
 * Waitangi Golf Course. In a wonderful setting with majestic ocean views.
 * Swim at the long, sandy beach north of the wharf along the road to Waitangi.
 * Waitangi Golf Course. In a wonderful setting with majestic ocean views.

Cruises

 * Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands. Cream Trip - Day in the Bay ($119), a full day cruise around the Bay of Islands with a possible chance to swim with dolphins ($30 extra). Half-day Dolphin Eco Experience (8AM-noon; noon-3:50PM) - swim with dolphins ($99). Half-day Dolphin Cruise to the Hole in the Rock - dolphin viewing, not swimming ($95). Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach day tours ($119). Licensed by the Department of Conservation to seek dolphins and whales. Most cruises include a trip out the Hole in the Rock and the Cape Brett lighthouse and a portion of every ticket goes to dolphin research in the bay. Also marketed by awesomeNZ.com.

Eat

 * Ice Cream and Espresso kiosk. Cnr Marsden and Williams Road. Rush Munro 100% natural ice cream and selection of coffees and iced drinks. Gaze over the Bay and people-watch. Around $4.
 * Ice Cream and Espresso kiosk. Cnr Marsden and Williams Road. Rush Munro 100% natural ice cream and selection of coffees and iced drinks. Gaze over the Bay and people-watch. Around $4.

Drink
You can't go past the Pipi Patch and the Salty for a good old knees up! Plenty of traditional pubs and bars throughout town, including the Mako pub on the waterfront. There are plenty of places to buy take-away alcohol, but note that drinking in public in town is prohibited.

Stay safe
The police station is at 45 Williams Rd, opposite the long-stay car park. Phone: +64 9 402-7130 Fax: +64 9 402-6253.