Rewas Village and the Discoverers Garden

Just over the bridge across the Kerikeri River, up the road from the Old Stone Store, you will find, on the right, Rewa’s Village. This reconstruction of a Maori fishing village was inspired by a painting by the prominent 19th century artist, Augustus Earle. Earle arrived in New Zealand in 1827 and stayed until 1828. His paintings are a unique record of the impact of European settlement. The reconstruction embodies native materials, as used before the coming of the missionaries. It is typical of the type of village existing at the time when chiefs Honi Hika and Rewa occupied the fortified pa across the river. "A video tells the story of the founding of Kerikeri in 1819, the early days of the settlement and the significance of the Kororipo Pa and the mission buildings." Near the village is a Visitors’ Centre.

Rewa’s Village is open daily. An admission fee applies and includes entry to the village, a historical display, video presentation, Kiwi display, fishing Waka and nets.

Associated with the village are gardens with well labelled examples of New Zealand native plants. The small botanical garden contains many of the plants discovered in the area and found in the collection of Sir Joseph Banks and his botanist Daniel Solander (among others). The two botanists were part of Captain Cook’s party when he came to New Zealand in 1769.

Free entry to the gardens is from Rewa’s Village.