Kerikeri

Image Credit: Établissement des missionnaires anglais a Kidikidi, (Nouvelle-Zélande.) (English missionary settlement at Kerikeri, New Zealand), 1826, by Antoine Chazal, Louis François Lejeune. Gift of Horace Fildes, 1937. Te Papa

Kerikeri the largest town in the Bay of Islands is an orchard area but is increasingly becoming a tourism destination with accommodation, cafes and restaurants.

Kerikeri Orchards and art works have made Kerikeri and its environs a popular spot to while away a pleasant hour or two. Much of the area’s orchard production, such as kiwifruit, avocados, oranges and feijoas, is exported but roadside stalls have plentiful supplies available for locals and travellers.

For art lovers, plentiful roadside signs point to potters, painters, sculptors and leadlight artists. You can also visit wineries or lunch in one of the many outdoor cafes and sample local delicacies such as handmade chocolates and macadamia liqueur. There is an art trail and several walks in the vicinity

The principal visitor attractions are the Kerikeri Basin heritage sites including Kemp House, the country’s oldest house, built by John Butler in 1822. Kemp House is open every day except Christmas Day and Good Friday:

Adjacent to Kemp House is the Stone Store, the country’s oldest stone building, built in 1836 as a storehouse for mission supplies.

Among interesting items on display is New Zealand’s first plough. Schooners discharged their loads at a small wharf opposite the store. Nowadays, the building is leased out by the Historic Places Trust as a shop and a museum.

Puketi Forest to the west is home to kauri and is being established as a pest free sanctuary. The nearest sandy sea beach is Matauri Bay. There are fresh water swimming spots on the Kerikeri River walk and the high school swimming pool is open in the summer.

ACTIVITIES AROUND KERIKERI