Kerikeri

Where is it?

At the northern end of the Bay of Islands where the Kerikeri inlet gives up its struggle to get further inland.

What’s it like?

A small pleasant town, (population less than 6000) with a distinct touch of the Mediterranean about it. Surrounded by citrus groves and with its many cafés and relaxed atmosphere it isn’t difficult to conjure visions of the Aegean or Adriatic.

What to see and what to do.

It’s success as a fruit growing town belies it’s past. To get an idea of the history of the area take a short trip from the town to the Kerikeri basin. It was here in 1819 that John Butler sited the first mission. Visit the Stone Store, the oldest (1833) stone building in the country and the oldest wooden building (1822) the Mission House. To balance the colonialism these two represent call at the nearby Rewa’s Village a recreation of a pre-colonial Maori village.

Eating, drinking and sleeping.

For a town so small Kerikeri provides a good range of accommodation especially at the hostel end of the market. Citrus workers are here all year round but mostly between January to July, so places become scarcer. The holiday period just after Christmas into January is busier across the board so it as well to book.
Kerikeri also punches above it’s weight as a culinary centre with a broad selection of restaurants and cafés. Those looking for wild and crazy nights though would perhaps be happier elsewhere.