Northland
Townships YOU CAN’T RESIST
Hokianga fields and harbour • ABOVE: Ōpononi sunset • BOTH IMAGES: © Getty Images
HOREKE
A TOWN OF FIRSTS, THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES TO BE SETTLED BY EUROPEANS WITH A SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY ESTABLISHED SOON AFTER. Believed to be the second oldest town in Aotearoa, a walk around town will pass New Zealand’s first pub, New Zealand’s first post office, and somewhere in this picturesque little port, New Zealand’s first murder trial took place. HŌREKE HOTEL New Zealand’s first pub? Oh you bet! What’s
more surprising is that it didn’t initially sell any beer. Fortunately, it does today. And the setting is beautiful. RANGIAHUA A short drive down SH 1 and home to tidal marshes thriving with wildlife. TWIN COAST CYCLE TRAIL Hōreke is on the route of this acclaimed must-do bike ride and makes a great pit stop.
EXPLORE
KAURI COAST/ KAIPARA DISTRICT YOU’RE NEARLY AT THE TIP OF THE TOP BUT NORTHLAND KEEPS GETTING BETTER.
KAIHŪ from Kaihu a-Ihenga (Secret eating of Ihenga) • 28km NW of Dargaville
MĀNGUNGU MISSION The largest signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in Aotearoa took place here, with over 70 chiefs and a crowd of 3000.
OPONONI & OMAPERE THESE LAID-BACK DUAL SETTLEMENTS STRADDLE THE SOUTHERN SHORES OF HOKIANGA HARBOUR, WITH A LONG STRETCH OF WHITE SAND AND INVITING BLUE WATER. TAP INTO THE EASYGOING LIFESTYLE. SAND DUNES You’ll need thighs and nerves of steel to tackle the sand dunes that Ōpononi and Ōmāpere are renowned for. To reach them, catch a ride with Hokianga Express Charters from Ōpononi Wharf. Standing at the foot of the slopes is daunting, but observing fearless kids flying (and laughing) down the
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embankments will encourage you to partake. OPO THE DOLPHIN You simply can’t leave Ōpononi without saying ‘hi’ to the statue of Opo. A resident himself in the 1950s, this goodspirited dolphin liked nothing more than to give the local children a ride on his back. NEW MĀORI CULTURAL CENTRE Coming late 2020, the brand new Manea Footprints of Kupe Cultural Centre will tell the story of New Zealand’s very first discoverer, Kupe, while also detailing his unique connection to Hokianga.
Kauri Arts & Crafts Gallery • • • • • • •
Must-see attraction Wide range of ancent kauri furniture Wood art & crafts NZ greenstone & paua jewellery Pottery & glass Kauri slabs/timber available Shipping available worldwide
2888 State Highway 12, Kaihu, RD9 DARGAVILLE Phone: 09 439 7227 Fax: 09 439 7337 Mobile: 0274 930 504 www.nelsonskaihukauri.co.nz Email: kauri.furniture@xtra.co.nz
Open 9-5 Mon-Sat in summer, 9-5 Mon-Fri in winter PAGE 9 - REGIONAL MAP
