Learn more about historic conservation in the Bay of Islands area.
This fortified headland pa has commanding views of the western portion of the Bay of Islands. In the historic period, the inhabitants of this pa had interactions with the earliest missionaries.
You can visit the historic Cape Brett Lighthouse that stands at the entrance to the Bay of Islands.
Before Flagstaff Hill was used for the flagpole it was occupied by prehistoric Maori. The hill had a turbulent past with the first four erected flagstaffs cut down in protest.
Paroa pa within the Harata Historic Reserve was designed before the arrival of guns, which radically changed pa design.
Kahuwera pa on the Paroa Peninsula is a defended headland pa that features strongly in the historically significant Bay of Islands.
Visit the remnants of Kerikeri hydro station - the first power generation in Kerikeri and part of a well maintained track that runs from the historic Kerikeri Basin through to the stunning Rainbow Falls.
An easy walk that gives you access to the historically significant Kororipo pa and good views into the internationally significant Kerikeri Basin.
The 14 archaeological sites on Mahinepua peninsula reflect a variety of activities, such as gardening, pa sites with terraces where huts and other structures were located, pits for storing crops and shell refuse from past meals.
Marsden Cross was made New Zealand's first missionary settlement, when the chief of Rangihoua pa, Ruatara gifted Marsden the land for the settlement.
Motuarohia Island features a number of archaeological sites including pa, terraces, pits, and gardening lines. Great views and the opportunity for other recreational activities make a visit worthwhile.
Motukawanui Island is a little-visited gem featuring a large amount of pits and terrace sites, middens and extensive pa sites.
Moturua Island has had a long association with humans from the earliest Polynesian settlers through to the early European explorers such as Cook and du Fresne.
The site of Okiato in the Bay of Islands was the home of New Zealand's first capital from 1840-1841 and an important site in New Zealand's early formational period.
Okuratope pa is an excellent example of a complete and well-preserved fortified settlement. The site is highly significant to Ngapuhi.
Ranfurly Scenic Reserve features a pa on top of high peaks with stone-faced terraces, while the Dukes Nose Track offers stunning scenery.
Whangaroa Harbour has unique rock formations, and extensive Maori terraces surround the St Pauls Rock. Learn about the story of the "Burning of the Boyd".
Tapeka pa is located on top of a steep coastal headland and has some of the most extensive earthworks in the Bay of Islands. Find out why Tapeka Point is known as 'Lovers Leap'.
On Urupukapuka an interpreted archaeological walk winds past pa sites, kainga (villages) and complexes of kumara storage pits.
Waewaetorea Island is located within the rich archaeological landscape of the Bay of Islands. Prehistoric Maori thrived in this island environment, which is seen in the density of archaeological sites.
A pa with a massive defensive system covers Waikare Historic Reserve - a narrow headland near Opua.
Waitata Point Historic Reserve has a coastal battery that operated between 1943-44. The construction of the two gun emplacements make them unique to New Zealand's military defence structures.
Learn about the history of Northland's longest running and most successful whaling station. The station was the only one in the world that caught whales with nets.
The value of conservation
NZ Historic Places Trust
International Council on Monuments and Sites
Ministry for Culture and Heritage
NZ Archaeological Association