Our tour to the Historic Far North is now fully booked.
The itinerary is complete and the last details finalised for our tour to the far north with its focus on history and architecture, including privileged access to sites that are rarely available to see. Paihia, Russell, Waitangi, Kerikeri all conjure up memories of early European history in New Zealand.
We will be accompanied on our visit to the Waitangi Treaty grounds by Treaty expert Dame Claudia Orange who was also adviser for the inaugural exhibition Ko Waitangi Tenēi: This is Waitangi on display at the recently opened award winning museum. The exhibition features many valuable and significant historic pieces previously scattered through museums and private collections throughout the country and overseas.
The missionary theme includes a private visit to the house and gardens of ‘The Retreat’ at Pakaraka, the home of Henry and Marianne Williams, a beautiful example of Georgian mission architecture.
Waimate North for lunch and a tour of the Te Waimate Mission, New Zealand’s second oldest building, built in 1832 under the direction of the Reverend Samuel Marsden. In February 1840, this Mission House hosted the second signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Kerikeri, often called the ‘Cradle of the Nation’, is the site of the first permanent mission station in the country as well as other historic buildings. Kerikeri was also the first place in New Zealand where grape vines were planted by Samuel Marsden in 1819 – a hint for us to enjoy a meal at a winery after our tour of the Stone Store and other places of historic interest!
Our tour would not be complete without a ferry ride to Russell formerly known as Kororāreka, the first permanent European settlement and sea port in New Zealand, and briefly its first capital. You will stroll to Pompallier Mission, the historic printery/tannery/storehouse of the early Roman Catholic missionaries, the Russell Museum and Christ Church, the country’s oldest surviving Anglican church.
After lunch on the waterfront at the famous Duke of Marlborough Hotel, New Zealand’s first licensed hotel ‘Refreshing Rascals and Reprobates since 1827’ and a ferry ride back to Paihia, our tour will end in time to meet travel commitments.
If you are interested to be on the waiting list for the in tour please register here…