Named Bay of Islands by Captain Cook in 1769 for its 144 islands, this archipelago was previously discovered in the 10th century by the Polynesian explorer, Kupe, who named it Aotearoa. Inhabited by the Maori when Europeans arrived, today the area is known as the birthplace of the nation for the treaty signed by Maori chiefs and the British.
When our cruise ship, the Norwegian Star, anchored around 8 a.m., we were on the first tender boat to Waitangi Pier. We were especially keen to see the town of Russell, so we immediately took the complimentary shuttle from Waitangi Pier to Paihia Wharf where we caught the ferry to Russell. The map below shows where cruise ships anchor, Waitangi Pier, and the towns of Paihia and Russell.
Map of Waitangi, Paihia, and Russell
Paihia Wharf
View of Paihia from the wharf
View from the ferry to Russell
Norwegian Star from the ferry
Once called the ‘hell hole of the Pacific,” it’s hard to imagine the drinking, brawling, and prostitution which were commonplace in historic Russell, the largest whaling port in the southern hemisphere and the first capital of New Zealand. Today, little of its wicked past is evident in this charming seaside town.
Approach to Russell
Russell, NZ
Because it’s flightless, the national bird is threatened especially by dogs
Russell Wharf from the Strand
The Duke of Marlborough Hotel was the first licensed bar in New Zealand. I’m sure the old Victorian has many stories to tell.
Jim at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel
Next to the hotel is the former Customs House and Police Station, today a private home.
This majestic Morton Bay Fig Tree was planted by E.B. Laing, the first customs collector who served from 1870 to 1886.
The oldest remaining church in New Zealand, Christ Church, built in 1836, still holds services every Sunday and since we arrived just as services began, we attended.
Interior of Christ Church
A bullet hole from the Maori Wars is still evident on the exterior of the church.
Remnant of Maori Wars
We strolled around town; I shopped for a Christmas ornament as a souvenir; and we stopped at Sally’s for coffee.
Sally’s
Cannon at Russell
When we headed back to catch the return ferry to Paihia, I spied these two fishing from the pier. We also watched young people jumping off the pier into the water for a swim causing me to wonder whether they scared away all the fish. I guess that’s why they call it fishing rather than catching.
Ferry that runs from Paihia to Russell
On the short ride back to Paihia, we enjoyed more beautiful views of the islands dotting the turquoise waters.
Back in Paihia, we wandered around a bit. A local art and craft show briefly attracted my attention but Jim, not much of a shopper, stayed seated while people watching…and bird watching. A sign announced the red-billed gull as the most photographed bird in the sea bird capital of the world (New Zealand) so of course, I had to take several photos. Normally a prolific species, the gull has suffered a decline of over 50% in recent years. The sign admonished, “Love them. Protect them.” Okay.
Red-billed gull
Sculpture at Paihia
Water view from Paihia
We hopped on the complimentary shuttle back to Waitangi for a stop at the treaty grounds. It was here the Maori chiefs and the British signed the Treaty of Waitangi establishing New Zealand as a British colony in 1840. Interestingly, the Maori version and the English version contain different language. The English text gives Britain sovereignty but the Maori text translates to governance which the Maori interpreted to allow self-determination. Both texts are currently used to make present-day decisions.
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Copy of the treaty which is now housed in Wellington
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
As we walked back to the pier to catch a tender boat back to our ship, I took a few more photos of this incredible paradise.
View from Waitangi
View from Waitangi
Photo from our tender boat, Bay of Islands, NZ
Based on events from February 2017.
