Far North
The Far North District is the northernmost district within New Zealand. The district stretches from the capes and bays at the northern tip of the Aupouri Peninsula past Ninety Mile Beach to the main body of the North Auckland Peninsula, where it encompasses both the Bay of Islands and Hokianga. The Far North is the largest of the three territorial authorities that make up the Northland region, and contributes 54% of the land area and 38% of the population. It shares its southern boundary with two other territorial authorities the Kaipara and Whangarei Districts.
The Far North is a district of small townships dispersed amongst many iconic areas of outstanding natural beauty making it an absolute joy for residents and visitors.
The northernmost town in the district is Kaitaia with a cluster of towns on the east coast around the Bay Of Islands (Kerikeri, Paihia, Russell, Opua, Kawakawa and Moerewa), the town of Kaikohe is centrally situated to the west of them with smaller settlements on the west coast surrounding the Hokianga Harbour (Omapere, Opononi, Rawene, Panguru, Kohukohu and Horeke).
It covers 7324 square kilometres with an estimate (June 2011) of 58,500 people. There are 20,712 occupied dwellings (2006 Census).
The combinations of climate, history, shared culture and areas of outstanding natural beauty leads to an enviable lifestyle and make the Far North a great place to live, work and invest.
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Bay Of Islands
Internationally recognised as one of the jewels of New Zealand, with its subtropical climate and wide range of water pursuits available. It is situated 60km north-west of Whangarei and is the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destination in New Zealand and is renowned internationally for its big-game fishing.
A natural harbour, it has several arms which extend into the land, notably Waikare Inlet in the south and Kerikeri and Te Puna (Mangonui) inlets in the north-west. The Bay incorporates 144 islands, notably Urupukapuka Island to the east and Moturoa Island to the North.
The history of this area is fascinating from the settlement of the Ngapuhi Iwi about 700 years ago to having the first European to visit the area, Captain Cook, who named the region in 1769. The bay has many interesting historic towns including Paihia, Russell, Waitangi and Kerikeri.
Kerikeri
Is the largest town in the Far North region and is a popular tourist destination about three hours drive north of Auckland and 80km north of Whangarei. It has a rich and colourful history and is often called the Cradle of the Nation, being the site of the first permanent mission station in the country, and it has some of the most historic buildings in New Zealand, also the first place in New Zealand where grape vines where planted.
A vibrant and fast developing area and a former winner of the “New Zealand’s Top Small Town” Kerikeri is also internationally renowned for its fantastic sailing and fishing waters. A full range of marine-based clubs are available with modern marina facilities at Doves Bay and Opua. It is widely known for its successful horticulture, niche food products, boutique vineyards, cafes, crafts, art galleries, tasty chocolates and is the ideal centre for exploring the treasures of the Far North with many beaches, harbours, forests and golf courses just a short drive away.
It has a strong economic foundation and offers good educational opportunities, with a wide range of state and private schools in our area, also a growing number of early childcare facilities.
The Kerikeri Airport provides daily scheduled flights to the Auckland International Airport and each flight is approximately 40 minutes.
A growing community with the population growth of 11% since the 2006 Census. A rainfall average of 1507mm annually. The highest temperate recorded of 32.6°C was in February 2009.
Quick Summary
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Kerikeri includes a number of smaller communities and areas in the greater vicinity, some of which was originally orchard land (Kerikeri was previously known as the Fruit Bowl of the North), which have since been subdivided and now longstanding residential or lifestyle areas.
Kerikeri Central – the base for smaller residential dwellings and units, commercial and business town centre. Offers many easy walking facilities including 2 supermarkets, 2 retirement complexes, schools, early childcare and the Kerikeri Golf Course.
Waipapa – A growing shopping and industrial area situated around the State Highway with a small number of residential dwellings then moves into lifestyle and horticultural blocks.
Waipapa West/Kapiro – Set in more of a rural environment consisting mainly of lifestyle and horticultural blocks with subdivisions creating rural living on a more residential sized lot. There are also a number of businesses including a popular indoor pool offering a variety of programmes.
Riverview – A residential area on the north side of the Stone Store basin, with close proximity to the Waipapa Landing boat ramp, Kerikeri and Waipapa rivers. Includes Riverview Primary School. A number of properties have desirable views of the Bay of Islands.
Skudders Beach – Just past Waipapa Landing is this small community which bounds the Kerikeri Inlet and a tidal beach.
Rangitane – A strong coastal residential community approximately 9kms from Kerikeri with boat launching facilities, playground and reserve area which is fantastic for families. Strong native kiwi presence.
Opito Bay/Doves Bay – The base for the Kerikeri Cruising Club and marina, this coastal area also has strong community sense.
Kerikeri Inlet Road – runs approximately 12km near the coast (Kerikeri Inlet) and borders the Waitangi Forest. It has diverse living options available from residential living closer to the township and Reinga Road area to coastal, lifestyle and horticultural properties.
Kerikeri also offers amenities for nearby areas which include Tapuaetahi, Purerua Penninsula, Takou Bay, Matauri Bay, Te Ngaire, Kaeo/Whangaroa, Puketona, Pakaraka, Okaihau and Waimate North.
Waimate North
Is a small settlement situated between Kerikeri and Lake Omapere, west of the Bay of Islands. Filled with history including the Waimate North Mission house and old Church the rural landscape is magical with old totara’s and other native trees scattered amongst the farm land, it has some of the best free draining volcanic soil and is a 15 minute drive to Okaihau village with a dairy, butchery and hotel.
Okaihau
Situated on the main highway between Kaitaia and Whangarei, just north of Kaikohe, Okaihau is a friendly country town with a classic Northland pub, dairy butchery and golf course. It is located on the western side of Lake Omapere and was established in 1862 when a group of Canadian settlers began clearing land in the area.
In 1923 a branch line railway was opened to Okaihau from the junction with the North Auckland Line at Otiria. Okaihau became New Zealands northernmost railway terminus. The line became freight only in 1976 and closed in 1987.
Kaeo
Located approximately 22kn northwest of Kerikeri, the town takes it name from a unique shellfish found in the nearby Whangaroa Harbour. The town consists of a small community with a primary school and a high school. The Kaeo Hospital offers many free services to those enrolled in the area.
Whangaroa
Whangaroa Harbour Marina is New Zealand’s most northerly marina with the closest access to the famous game fishing grounds from the Cavalli Islands north to North Cape and beyond.
Known as ‘The Marlin Capital of New Zealand’ it is popular both as a fishing spot in its own right and as a base for deep-sea fishing. The harbour provides a beautiful scenic view and the small local community includes a local pub, café and the Marina with beverage and dining facilities.
Whangaroa is 8km north-west of the Kaeo township and 45km north from Okaihau. The harbour is almost landlocked and provides safe anchorages under most weather conditions.
Typical of rich coastal areas, a wide variety of defended and undefended pa, archaic middens, terraces, gardening systems, urupa, wahi tapu and other archaeological features are present. Sites associated with early Maori/European contact include the remains of the ‘Boyd’ buried in the harbour mud.
Kauri milling and ship building are long established industries and one of the last kauri sawmills and shipyards, operated by Lanes & Sons for over a century, can be seen at Totara North. The ‘Rainbow Warrior’ lies at rest off Matauri Bay with a memorial on a nearby pa.
Please note that we have gathered the above information from third party sources for general overview of our area and cannot guarantee it’s total accuracy and reliability, and would recommend to conduct your own due diligence if the information above was to be relied upon in any decision making process.
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