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Highway 11 running through Paihia

Paihia is an historic town (population 1,800) in the Bay of Islands in the Northland region of the North Island of New Zealand. It has numerous sights and activities, and stunning views of the bay.

Understand

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An early Christian missionary, Henry Williams, settled in Paihia in 1823 and built New Zealand's first church here. Adjacent Waitangi is where representatives of the English Crown and a number of Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi on 6 February 1840. The estate is a must-see for anyone interested in New Zealand's history and culture.

Marsden Road is the main waterfront road. The commercial centre is around the junction of Marsden Road and Williams Road. The wharf from where most of the maritime activities depart is here. The Maritime Building next to the wharf houses two tour companies.

Several cruises that depart from Paihia are approved by the Department of Conservation to seek dolphins and whales in the wild. Some tours allow you to swim in the sheltered bay with common and bottlenose dolphins. Cruises may also see baleen whales, orca, seals, fish, penguins and other sea and bird life.

  • Bay of Islands Visitor Information Centre (at the wharf), ☏ +64 9 402-7345, fax: +64 9 402-7314, . open summer 8AM-7PM; shoulder 8AM-6PM; winter 8AM-5PM. (updated Apr 2020)

Get in

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By bus

Several tourist coach companies offer daily sightseeing services from downtown Auckland including InterCity. These services take around 4 hours and may include rest stops and commentary on local history. Many packaged tours include the Bay of Islands in their North Island itinerary.

By plane

Air New Zealand flies to Kerikeri Airport from Auckland. Paihia is 20 minutes away by car or shuttle van.

By boat

Passenger ferries run hourly to and from Russell. The timetable varies by the seasons. There is also a vehicle ferry from Okiato to Opua (6km south of Paihia).

Get around

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Map
Map of Paihia

You can pretty much walk everywhere. Local taxis are available.

See

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  • 1 Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Waitangi (30-45 min walk from Paihia). 26 Dec-31 Mar 9AM-7PM, 1 Apr-25 Dec 9AM-5PM. The Waitangi National Trust Treaty Grounds give a unique and fascinating insight into New Zealand's historic past. The Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's most significant document, was first signed here in 1840 between Maori chiefs and the British Crown, and became the basis for modern New Zealand. The grounds are home to the Treaty House, built in 1834, a fully carved Maori meeting house, a large Maori war canoe, a Visitor Centre and Gallery, and a museum that opened in 2016. The grounds were gifted to the nation by Lord and Lady Bledisloe in 1932. You can take a guided tour and/or see a Maori cultural performance, in addition to admission. The website suggests allowing at least 3 hr. Has cafes. $50 for foreigners, $25 for New Zealand residents. Waitangi Treaty Grounds historic precinct (Q65096236) on Wikidata (updated Apr 2022)

Do

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  • Dive the Rainbow Warrior wreck (Paihia Dive), Williams Rd, ☏ +64 9 402-7551, toll-free: 0800 107 551, fax: +64 9 402-7110. The Rainbow Warrior was a Greenpeace boat sunk by French secret service agents on 7 July 1985 in Auckland. It was re-floated and then scuttled two years later near the Bay of Islands as an artificial reef. Paihia Dive teach the PADI wreck course using the wreck. 
  • Bush walks through the Opua forest. The Opua Forest Paihia Lookout Track starts at the end of School Road. One hour return to the viewpoint overlooking the Bay and Russell. 2½ hours each way for a longer walk. 
  • Walk the track on the north side of the Waitangi River between the Treaty Grounds and Haruru Falls or join a guided kayak tour for an understanding of how mangrove forests fit into coastal ecology.
  • Swim at the long, sandy beach north of the wharf along the road to Waitangi.
  • Waitangi Golf Course. In a wonderful setting with majestic ocean views.
  • Flying Kiwi Parasail, Paihia or Russell wharf, ☏ +64 9 402-6068, toll-free: 0800 359 691, fax: +64 9 402-6068, . Take off from the back of a boat and soar to 1,200 ft (370 m) above the bay for 10–12 minutes. Single, double or triple. $99 single, $89 per person double or triple. 
Dolphin-watchers view an orca near Paihia

Cruises

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  • Fullers GreatSights Bay of Islands. Cream Trip - Day in the Bay ($119), a full day cruise around the Bay of Islands with a possible chance to swim with dolphins ($30 extra). Half-day Dolphin Eco Experience (8AM-noon; noon-3:50PM) - swim with dolphins ($99). Half-day Dolphin Cruise to the Hole in the Rock - dolphin viewing, not swimming ($95). Cape Reinga and 90 Mile Beach day tours ($119). Licensed by the Department of Conservation to seek dolphins and whales. Most cruises include a trip out the Hole in the Rock and the Cape Brett lighthouse and a portion of every ticket goes to dolphin research in the bay. Also marketed by awesomeNZ.com.
  • Carino Sailing & Dolphin Adventures. Depart Paihia 9:30AM, return 3:34PM. Swim with dolphins. Departs from Paihia and Russell. $114. 
  • The Rock Overnight Cruise. 22-hour cruise, incorporating lots of water activities, island walks, on-board meals, and time to watch the scenery and wildlife. 
  • Discover the Bay - 'Hole in the Rock' and dolphin viewing cruise. Adult $95. Explore the Bay of Islands while searching for dolphins and visiting the Hole in the Rock. Visit Urupukapuka Island and learn about Project Island Song. Departs from Paihia and Russell. Lasts about 4 hours. 

Buy

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  • The Cabbage Tree, two shops: one in Williams Road and one in the Maritime building, ☏ +64 9 402-7318, fax: +64 9 402-7318, . Every day. New Zealand made gifts and souvenirs, such as possum and merino wool garments, kauri wood bowls and boxes, traditional greenstone (jade) and bone carvings and jewellery. 
  • Enz of the Earth, Marsden Rd, ☏ +64 9 402 5955. Every day. Gifts from Asia, including womenswear, jewellery, shoes, hats, bags and greenstone. 

Eat

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  • Zane Grey's Restaurant and Bar, 69 Marsden Rd, ☏ +64 9-402 6220. Built out over the sea. Classy range of Mediterranean and seafood dishes. (updated Jan 2017)
  • Ice Cream and Espresso kiosk. Cnr Marsden and Williams Road. Rush Munro 100% natural ice cream and selection of coffees and iced drinks. Gaze over the Bay and people-watch. Around $4.
  • King Wah Restaurant, ☏ +64 9 402-7566. Selwyn Mall. Chinese cuisine. Buffet $29.50 per person. 
  • Only Seafood, 40 Marsden Rd (above Bistro40), ☏ +64 9 402-6066, fax: +64 9 402-7083, . Every day from 5PM. It is fully licensed and does not take bookings. NZ seafood. Main plus vegetables $30. 
  • Otehei Bay Restaurant and Bar, ☏ +64 9 402-8234, toll-free: 0800 365 744, . Urupukapuka Island. Every day. Offering a variety of meals and refreshments. 

Drink

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You can't go past the Pipi Patch and the Salty for a good old knees up! Plenty of traditional pubs and bars throughout town, including the Mako pub on the waterfront. There are plenty of places to buy take-away alcohol, but note that drinking in public in town is prohibited.

Sleep

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Budget

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  • Base Bay of Islands, 18 Kings Rd (5 minutes walk from the main bus station at the maritime building, however some of the buses drop off in Kings Road on request), ☏ +64 9 402 7111, toll-free: 0800 2273 69 (BASE NZ), . Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. Centrally located with accommodation from private units to share rooms, 50 metres from the beach (updated Aug 2015)
  • Bay Adventurer Backpackers, 28 Kings Rd, toll-free: 0800 112 127, . Dorm beds from $22, double from $65, studio from $85, apartments from $100. 
  • Pickled Parrot Backpackers, Greys Ln (just off the highway on the left as you arrive from Kawakawa), ☏ +64 9 402 6222, toll-free: 0508 727768 (PARROT), fax: +64 9 402-6232, . Great courtyard, complete with a BBQ. There is a parrot hanging around and you get a free breakfast. A couple of minutes walk from the beach. Tent sites from $16, dorm beds from $23, doubles/twins from $30, cabins from $32, 2-bedroom flat from $150. 
  • 1 YHA Paihia, corner of Kings Rd and MacMurray Rd. Dorm bed from $22.50, room from $89.10. (updated Aug 2015)

Mid-range

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Splurge

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Stay safe

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The police station is at 45 Williams Rd, opposite the long-stay car park. Phone: +64 9 402-7130 Fax: +64 9 402-6253.

Go next

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This city travel guide to Paihia is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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