Based in opononi on the shores of the beautiful hokianga harbour, home of opo the world famous friendly dolphin in the 1950s. The tavern is situated at the end or start of the pou herenga tai twin coast cycle trail sometimes called northland coast to coast cycle trail or twin coast cycle trail from opua via kawakawa, kaikohe, and okaihau to horeke connecting the bay of islands to the hokianga harbour. It is sparsely populated and has many little clusters of houses in a very rural setting. Most came to grief when leaving fully laden and became caught in the wind shadow cast by south head where the deep water lay. Discover the unique history of hokianga aa new zealand. Hokianga harbor, arai te uru signal point, kuoto boulders. The only disincentive to hokiangas exploitation was the harbour bar. In a recent book on the hokianga, pa tate quotes a waiata that issues a challenge to keep the knowledge alive. Maori call the northland region te hikuoteika the tail of the fish. Kauri coast in new zealand things to see and do in new. Since october the ranui has been plying the hokiangas waters, shuttling cycle tourists. If you love walking, visit the unique wairere boulders. Fabulous day cruising the upper hokianga harbour on the ranui.
Top things to do near hokianga isite visitor information. The hokianga harbour on new zealands far northern west coast has been a magnet for dreamers. Despite being one of new zealands first european trading hubs in the 1800s, its at this tail end that traditional maori culture is most alive today. Hokianga attractions include the koutu boulders, wairere boulders, waipoua forest and omahuta forest. Over the past two centuries, sawmillers, shipbuilders, missionaries, traders, farmers. Hokianga express charters is a family owned and operated business, which has serviced the national and international tourist market since 1992. Kohukohu is a fascinating history and collection of historic and conte. Not many people live in the area so there are lots of skinny roads, farms, and tracts of bush. Hokianga harbour new zealand, hokianga travel tourism and. From the look and feel of the hokianga today, its hard to believe it used to be one of the busiest and most populous parts of new zealand. The first recorded european to enter the hokianga harbour arrived in 1819 and by the 1830s, kohukohu was. Kohukohu tidal publications presents the 2nd edition of eric harrisons acclaimed book kohukohu. Kohukohu book tidal publications presents the 2nd edition of eric harrisons acclaimed book kohukohu. Kohukohu book kohukohu on new zealands hokianga harbour.
The kauri coast runs from the town of brynderwyn up to the hokianga harbour and is accessed along the twin coast discovery highway. The nearest airport is bay of islands airport, 41 miles from hokianga farmstead lodge. Hokianga express charters the hokianga a beautiful place. As misty mornings promise a lovely day in the hokianga, this may be the preferred meaning. State highway 12 runs through opononi and omapere the combined population of opononi and omapere was 414 in the 20 census, a decrease of 63 from 2006. He married a maori woman of high rank, henipapa minarapa, of the rarawa tribe, when he was working in the timber trade at hokianga. Ferry each hour peak times, pleasant service, eftpos a bit irregular, but not their fault.
Take in the magnificence of the hokianga harbour enjoying a glass of wine from restaurants and hotels in omapere and opononi. First published in 1987, this remains one of the most accurate and informative fulllength histories of the hokianga. The hokianga historical society museum and archive centre is located at waianga place, omapere, south hokianga. Susy pointon will soon have a second book of short stories published.
Famed for its giant kauri trees, stunning beaches and significant maori and pioneer history, the kauri coast and hokianga region is steeped in spectacular natural wonders and fascinating cultural heritage. A great way to see the harbour i would highly recommend ranui on. If you come by sh 12 from the south you travel through the ancient kauri forest of waipoua, a stunning reminder of the depth and dignity of northlands native bush. The main purpose of the hokianga historical society is to collect, store, safeguard and display a range of records from. We got predictably lost the signage isnt the best when you arent taking main roads. Located in kaikohe, hokianga farmstead lodge provides free wifi, and guests can enjoy a shared lounge, a garden and a terrace. Hokianganuiakupe means the place of kupes great return. The density of population is lower than one per square kilometre.
Rahiri, the 17th century founder of the ngapuhi iwi, was born at whiria pa to the south of the harbour, where a monument stands to his memory. The new zealand ministry for culture and heritage gives translations of place of a crooked fishing post for opononi. Even before the treaty of waitangi was signed in 1840, creating an official british colony, the shores of this isolated harbour were being milled by. Hokianga, harbour of dreams new zealand geographic. Its also the ideal base from which to explore omapere. The hokianga ruggedly handsome and utterly unspoiled. The hokianga is a region surrounding the hokianga harbour in northland, on the north island of new zealand. Henipapas mother was from a waikato tribe but henipapa was reportedly from the te rarawa tribe who were from the north side of the hokianga. Hokianga stories paperback november 28, 2012 by susy pointon author visit amazons susy pointon page. Hokianga stories inspired by people and landscape northtec. Some interesting history about horeke and its hotel, also see the historic. Living in the hokianga has also helped pointon develop a greater knowledge and appreciation of new zealand history. Oral history takes on different versions as centuries pass and it is presented from a variety of view points. Hokianga harbour is one of new zealands bestkept secrets.
Maori call it the nest of the northern tribes because it was here that their great voyaging ancestor, kupe, made landfall from hawaiki, and here that his descendants settled. Hokianga harbour is located in the far north of the northland region of new zealand. In this final placement theres the whiff of this harbour as a place of new beginnings. Opononi and omapere are dual settlements on the south shore of the hokianga harbour in northland region, new zealand. Alex calder argues that both a history of the war in the north and old new.
The archives contain a large collection of original and copied historical material relating to. Roofdeep river crossing old telegraph track in detail duration. The hokianga, stretching northeast towards the bay of islands on the opposite coast, has one of the longest histories of human. Our fully qualified staff provide a reliable, friendly service all year round. Or rest your head at romantic, ecofriendly kokohuia lodge, where birdsong is the soundtrack for your dramatic views of the hokianga harbour.
If you want to explore historic hokianga, the beachfront accommodation at opononi lighthouse motel is the ideal base. Perfectly located on the twin coast discovery highway, hokianga is a comfortable drive north of auckland, yet a world away from busy city life. Hokianga harbour is a long, estuarinedrowned, valley which extends 30 kilometres inland from the tasman sea. Things to do near hokianga isite visitor information centre on tripadvisor. As one of the areas first to be populated over 600 years before the arrival of. Regular vehicle and foottraffic ferry 15 minutes traveltime between rawene and kohukohu south and northern sides of the scenic hokianga harbour saving several hours by road. In this delightful publication, eric harrison has documented the story of this colourful and remote village. Opononi of course, was made famous by opo the dolphin, who befriended people in the seaside community in the 1950s. The hokianga harbour has a fascinating history both maori and european. One of the best ways to get a sense of the citys culture is to learn about its history.
Explore the regions small settlements on your way north. The hokianga harbour links the hokianga estuary to the tasman sea. Its beachfront rooms are a minutes stroll from the shore, and rooms with balconies offer magnificent views of the harbour and sand dunes. Many iwi maori tribes trace their ancestry back to the legendary polynesian explorer kupe who, with his crew, voyaged deep into the southern ocean to. For a taste of history, spend a night at the picturesque horeke hotel, handily located at one end of the twin coast cycle trail. Kohukohu is a fascinating history and collection of historic and contemporary photographs of one of new zealands oldest communities nestled on the shores of the beautiful hokianga harbour. Be sure to take in the waipoua forest, home of tane mahuta, new zealands oldest and largest kauri tree. Craig is an absolute wealth of local knowledge, giving great commentary on our way.
The centre has an extensive collection of historical artefacts and documents reflecting the colourful history of the area. Hokianga harbor b1 nz frenzy north island new zealand. Waka still traverse the waters for waitangi day celebrations and waka ama tournaments. The hokianga is where anthony byrts 2016 book of essays on new zealand artists this model world ends. Guests at the bed and breakfast can enjoy a continental breakfast. Lots of laughs and a really interesting commentary on the history of the area. Copthorne hotel and resort hokianga 4star hotel hokianga. There are also the boats of game fishing enthusiasts, historical harbour. Jack lee first published in 1987, this remains one of the most accurate and informative fulllength histories of the hokianga. No comparably literate book could have done more to impress upon the. Take in the stunning views on the tiny car ferry that runs between kohukohu to rawene to feel completely off the map. Historic launch brings back hokiangas boating days nz. The word kohu also has two other meanings misty and basin.
The ways in gumland, forest and farm the heads of hokianga along the south coast rawene up harbour to hokere north hokianga. Hokianga harbour accommodation, things to do and travel information. Zealands oldest communities nestled on the shores of the beautiful hokianga harbour. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. A kauri launch with a long history is bringing the era of water transport back to the hokianga harbour. The hokianga harbour is a thin harbour that extends about 30 km inland from its mouth on the west coast.
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