Te Waimate Mission

Bay of Islands

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Set in verdant farmland 18km (20 minutes) southwest of Kerikeri, this pretty little cottage holds several claims to fame. It's NZ's second-oldest house (built in 1831) and the site of the country's first European-style farm. Many of the exotic trees surrounding it are among the oldest of their kind in the country, and Charles Darwin stayed here in 1835. Inside, the story of the mission station and its inhabitants is outlined in displays in rooms dotted with items of original furniture.

The complex also includes the wooden St John the Baptist Church and an 1877 Sunday school building.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Red carving of a Maori Warrior. 26083891 polynesian, cultural, waitangi, warrior, zealand, culture, carving, ground, tattoo, native, treaty, paint, maori, male, face, wood, luck, art, new, red

    Waitangi Treaty Grounds

    12.07 MILES

    Occupying a headland draped in lawns and bush, this is NZ's most significant historic site. Here, on 6 February 1840, after much discussion, the first 43…

  • The Te Matua Ngahere (Father of the Forest), a giant kauri (Agathis australis) coniferous tree in the Waipoua Forest. 861154632 Large Growth Nature Vertical Outdoors Rural Scene Hiking Natural Phenomenon Plant Public Park Footpath Green Color New Old Tropical Climate North National Landmark Bush Tree Uncultivated Tree Trunk Leaf Landscape - Scenery Island Woodland Forest Tall - High New Zealand North Island New Zealand Northland - New Zealand Māori Giant Males Females Photography Travel Kauri Tree Rainforest Waipoua Forest te matua ngahere

    Te Matua Ngahere

    27.97 MILES

    From the Kauri Walks car park, a 20-minute walk leads past the Four Sisters, a graceful stand of four tall trees fused together at the base, to Te Matua…

  • The T?ne Mahuta (Lord of the Forest), a giant kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest of Northland Region. The Tāne Mahuta (Lord of the Forest), a giant kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest of Northland Region. 838457824 Nature Horizontal Famous Place New Zealand North Island New Zealand Northland - New Zealand Color Image Photography Tourism Kauri Tree Hokianga Harbour Waipoua Forest Tāne Mahuta

    Tāne Mahuta

    27.78 MILES

    Near the north end of the park, not far from the road, stands mighty Tāne Mahuta, named for the Māori forest god. At 51.5m, with a 13.8m girth and wood…

  • The Kemp House, Kerikeri Mission Station.

    Kerikeri Mission Station

    8.4 MILES

    Two of the nation's most significant buildings nestle side by side on the banks of Kerikeri Basin. Start at the Stone Store, NZ's oldest stone building …

  • Ruapekapeka Pa - ruins of a maori fortress in New Zealand.

    Ruapekapeka Pā

    18.04 MILES

    For 10 days in January 1846, 1600 British troops bombarded 500 Māori warriors hunkered down in a pā (fortress) composed of trenches, tunnels and wooden…

  • Oke Bay

    Oke Bay

    22.81 MILES

    It's a bit of a drive (30km) and a short steep walk down to the beach, but worth the effort. There's not a lot of beach when the tide is high so time your…

  • Pompallier Mission

    Pompallier Mission

    14.35 MILES

    Built in 1842 to house the Catholic mission’s printing press, this rammed-earth building is the mission's last remaining building in the western Pacific,…

  • Kororipo Pā

    Kororipo Pā

    8.5 MILES

    Just up the hill from Kerikeri Mission Station is a marked historical walk that leads to the site of Hongi Hika's pā (fortress) and village. Little…

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Nearby Bay of Islands attractions

1. Cottle Hill

5.17 MILES

Call into the cellar door for a tasting of wine, port and grappa. It's just off SH10 south of Kerikeri.

2. Rainbow Falls

7.99 MILES

An impressive waterfall on the Kerikeri River that can also be accessed via the road. An historic tea house is close by for those walking from the river…

3. Wharepuke Falls

8.38 MILES

What it lacks in height this attractive waterfall makes up for in breadth. It's accessed from the Kerikeri River Track.

4. Kerikeri Mission Station

8.4 MILES

Two of the nation's most significant buildings nestle side by side on the banks of Kerikeri Basin. Start at the Stone Store, NZ's oldest stone building …

5. Rewa’s Village

8.48 MILES

If you had a hard time imagining nearby Kororipo Pā in its original state, take the footbridge across the river to this mock-up of a traditional Māori…

6. Kororipo Pā

8.5 MILES

Just up the hill from Kerikeri Mission Station is a marked historical walk that leads to the site of Hongi Hika's pā (fortress) and village. Little…

7. Charlie's Rock

9.41 MILES

This secret swimming hole is not easy to find, but those who do are rewarded with a plunge in the crisp cold water. Ask the locals how to get here; you…

8. Haruru Falls

10.25 MILES

A walking track (one way 1½ hours, 5km) leads from the Treaty Grounds along the Waitangi River to these attractive horseshoe falls. Part of the path…