Kerikeri's Must Do's 2022-23

Kemp House, Kerikeri © Northland Inc.

If you want to know more about Māori and European history in New Zealand, then you’re in the perfect place.

Kerikeri Mission Station

Established in 1819, the Kerikeri Mission Station was one of the first places where Māori and Europeans lived together. It’s also home to the Stone Store and Kemp House.

Stone Store

The Georgian-style Stone Store has worn many hats since its 1832 construction. It has acted as a local trading post for selling and buying, a library, army barracks, boys’ school and general store. Downstairs you can still buy goods reminiscent of those bought in the 19th century, while upstairs there’s a museum.

Mission House (also known as Kemp House)

Shoes off for this one. Built in 1821, a guided tour of New Zealand’s oldest surviving building involves traipsing from room to room, and you don’t want to be the one that damages the original

The Old Packhouse Market

Kerikeri’s seemingly perennial warm weather lends itself to a bounty of fruit, macadamia nuts and veggies. Buy them fresh and in season at the Old Packhouse Market, every Saturday and Sunday from 8am.

Te Ahurea

Wander through the country’s oldest European buildings at Kerikeri’s Kororipo Heritage Park, a place where Māori and Europeans once lived side by side.

Kororipo Heritage Park

A living village and interactive pā site nestled between Kororipo Pā, the Kerikeri Stone Store and Mission House. Representing life before Europeans arrived, visitors can take a self-guided tour and enter the Discoverers Garden to admire a diverse collection of Northland specific plants.

Pou Herenga Tai Twin Coast Cycle Trail

If you’re hungry to explore both New Zealand’s rolling green terrain and the stories of Māori settlement and European arrival, this 87km, two-day bike ride feeds both.

The Parrot Place

Home to 300 exotic birds including a dancing macaw, some of which are prone to perching on visitors’ arms, hands and shoulders.

Aroha Island

Access to Aroha Island is via a causeway 11km from Kerikeri town centre. If you decide to stay over at this 12ha bird sanctuary, the kiwi-spotting night walk is excellent.

Charlie’s Rock

There’s nothing more refreshing than jumping off the embankments at Charlie’s Rock swimming spot, accessed via a fiveminute walking track from Waipapa Landing.

Wharepuke Falls

Walk 3.5km along the Kerikeri River Track, following the riverbank until you reach Wharepuke Falls and its peaceful swimming hole. Dry off and move on to Fairy Pools, just10 minutes further and just as pic-perfect.

Makana Confections Chocolate

Visit the Makana boutique chocolate factory to sample the works of master chocolatiers. Open daily from 9am to 5.30pm.