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Hokianga

Arriving in the Hokianga - click for more.
The Hokianga region has great historic significance, for both Maori and European settlers.
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Hokianga-Nui-A-Kupe means 'the place of Kupe's great return'. Many iwi (Maori tribes) trace their ancestry back to the legendary Polynesian explorer Kupe who, with his crew, voyaged deep into the southern ocean to find New Zealand. Northland iwi claim the first landfall of Kupe's waka was on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour. Most Northland Maori can trace their ancestry to the Hokianga region; many of the country's bicultural families also have their origins here.

If you approach the Hokianga region from the south you'll have the opportunity to drive through Waipoua Forest, home of Tane Mahuta, New Zealand's largest kauri tree. Soon after you exit the forest, the Hokianga Harbour will appear dramatically in front of you. You'll see huge white sand dunes on the northern side and the twin beach towns of Omapere and Opononi on the southern side.

The Hokianga's largest town is Rawene, New Zealand’s third oldest European settlement and the home of historic Clendon house. The mangrove boardwalk makes a great stroll. From Rawene a vehicular ferry provides a connection to the other side of the harbour and the settlement of Kohukohu.

Near the settlement of Horeke is a natural phenomenon known as the Wairere Boulders. Amassed along a valley floor, this stream of huge rocks and boulders is 1.5 kilometres long. At first glance the rocks appear to be limestone formations, but they are actually basalt. The fluting on the boulders is caused by acids leaching from the kauri forests that used to exist in the area.
 


 
NORTHLAND Region

More Information

Find out more about this location on Te Ara - the online encyclopaedia of New Zealand.

Contact Details

Contact: Hokianga i-SITE Visitor Centre
Phone: +64 9 4058 869
Fax: +64 9 4058 317
Postal: PO Box 6 Omapere South Hokianga
Website: www.visitnorthland.co.nz

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Omapere/Opononi is the closest town to this highlight.

In Omapere/Opononi:

Other towns near Omapere/Opononi by road:

Other towns near Omapere/Opononi by rail:

Omapere/Opononi does not have any rail stations.

Other towns near Omapere/Opononi by air:

Omapere/Opononi does not have scheduled passenger air services.

The nearest airport is in Kerikeri (82 minutes)

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