Paihia

General Information

Paihia is the largest tourism centre in the region and is the gateway to the Bay of Islands Maritime Park – one of New Zealand’s most beautiful areas, renowned for its deep sea fishing and diving. It’s the perfect base for your Bay of Islands and Far North holiday experience. Most tours of Northland, and the inter city buses from Auckland stop here. With its three sandy beaches sheltered by rocky islets, Paihia has been a popular holiday destination for over a hundred years.

Attractions and Activities

Paihia has an extensive range of activities, covering sea, land and air. Learn to scuba dive, kayak the river or sea, swim, snorkel, fish, trek, off-road by horse or 4 wheel drive, take a tour, play golf, or parasail above the Bay. A range of cruises leave from Paihia Wharf, taking in popular attractions such as Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Bottlenose and common dolphins frequent the waters of the bay, and swimming with the dolphins is one of the bay’s most popular activities. Charter boats for sailing, fishing and big game fishing, or if you prefer relax over a drink and a meal in one of the fine bars or restaurants. Passenger ferries leave the Russell wharf every 20 minutes during the summer and hourly during the winter for a very pleasant 15-minute journey. Nearby is the Waitangi Reserve, the site where New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed on 6 February 1840. Paihia boasts a large number of motels, hotels and back packer hostels to cater to all tourists’ expectations.

The month of January hosts the annual Paihia Family Fun Festival, which is ten fun filled days for the kids. Activities range from bushwalks, mystery trails, monster mural paintings and pavement drawing to krazy kayaking, fun sports, a beach dig, sandcastle competition, and a fishing competition. Two annual music festivals are Bay of Islands Country Rock Festival in May and the Bay of Islands Jazz and Blues Festival, Northland, New Zealand in August which features national and international acts. In September, the annual “TASTE”, Bay of Islands Festival can be located at the Waitaha Conference and Event Centre in Paihia, a food, drink and live music discovery day for everyone. Taste the flavours of Northland showcasing the food, wine, restaurants, and cafes of the Bay of Islands.

History

Missionaries first settled Paihia in 1823 and led by Rev. Henry Williams they built the first church in New Zealand, which was constructed in the traditional Māori way using raupo. Williams gained the respect and trust of the local Māori people. Henry Williams’ brother William joined the mission and compiled a Māori dictionary and translated the New Testament into Māori.

Shopping

A full range of services is available – banks, foreign exchange, post office, Internet access, hair and beauty consultants, service clubs, specialty shops, NZ art and giftware.

Maori Translations

Paihia – ‘good here’.
It is believed that Reverend Henry Williams came to New Zealand knowing only a few words of Māori, one of them being ‘pai’meaning good. When they came to Paihia, he turned to his companion, a Māori chief, and said ‘Pai here’.