Kerikeri
Sometimes called “the Cradle of the Nation”, as it was the site of the first permanent mission station in the country. Alongside with its beautiful sceneries, Kerikeri has some of the most historic buildings in the country.
Kerikeri town in Northland has a long and colourful history. It was home for the fearsome Hongi Hika, Maori chief who used to terrorise tribes throughout the North Island of New Zealand in the early 1800s. Yet he was kind to missionaries. He allowed Samuel Marsden ( an English-born priest of the Church of England) to establish New Zealand’s second mission station here. The Kerikeri Mission Station, also known as Kemp House, is one of New Zealand’s oldest standing European buildings. This elegant wooden home, protected by Historic Places Trust, was built to house the Reverend John Butler in 1821,
The origin of the name Kerikeri is not known, and there have been a lot of different conflicting definitions given over the years. It is very likely Kerikeri derives its name from the river as John Nicholas, who visited the area in 1815, wrote “the river that discharged itself into the cove was called by the natives Tecaddiecaddie…”
Thankfully to the community, a kāinga (unfortified village) was recreated in 1969 which existed when Europeans first arrived in New Zealand. It is called Rewa`s village and it is located opposite the Stone Store
On the hill above the Stone Store, you can see St. James wooden church. It was around since the late 1800s, definitely a place to visit while you are in Kerikeri.
After visiting all the historic sites in town you can go along the riverbank to the spectacular Rainbow Falls. The water there tumbles into a very popular swimming hole surrounded by native bush. The Rainbow Falls are also a popular destination for kayakers.
Kerikeri is having an oceanic climate, with 30 C in summer and plenty of rain throughout the year.
Stats provided by climate-data.org
Bay of Islands is another destination just minutes from Kerikeri
Places not to miss in Kerikeri – Outdoors and Nature
- Rainbow Falls Walk – Easy 5 minutes access to 3 viewing platform. Bring your camera.
- Kerikeri River Track– 1 hr 30 min along young kauri, tōtara and native bush. See the remains of the historic Kerikeri hydro-electric station.
- Te Wairere Waterfall – a walk to stunning waterfalls which was lost for almost 60 years and reopened in 2017.
Art, Craft & Heritage
- Kemp House and the Stone Store – two of New Zealand’s oldest buildings are situated in the Kerikeri Basin
- St. James Church – old wooden church just near the Stone store with the view on the basin.
- Kerikeri Second Mission Station – the second station established when in 1819, the Rev. Samuel Marsden came again to the Bay of Islands
- Edmonds Ruins – the remains of the residential home built from stone and mortar by stonemason John Edmonds around 1845