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.
Walk where Kupe first walked when he first landed on Aotearoa.
Find out about the archaeological investigation being carried out at Oihi Bay/Marsden Cross in February 2012 - a joint project between the University of Otago and the Department of Conservation.
Te Whara or Bream Head is a rich archaeological landscape resulting from more than 500 years of Maori occupation.
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.
Located on the Mangonui waterfront is a beautiful historic kauri building, the Mangonui Courthouse. Built in 1892 -93, it functioned as a courthouse until 1948.
Marsden Cross was made New Zealand's first missionary settlement, when the chief of Rangihoua pa, Ruatara gifted Marsden the land for the settlement.
Find out more about the rich Maori and European history of Mimiwhangata.
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.
Motukiore Island is a 5-ha recreation reserve located in Parua Bay, about 8 km east of Whangarei. It has a fascinating history, being both an important vantage point for Maori in prehistoric times, and a focus of early European industry in Whangarei Harbour.
Following the realisation in the 1870's that New Zealand needed a network of lighthouses to protect shipping from natural hazards, Motuopao was chosen as the site best suited as the location of a light to protect shipping using the dangerous waters at the northern tip of the country.
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.
Northland/Te Taitokerau contains a wealth of significant historic heritage and is considered the 'Cradle of the Nation'. Find out about prehistoric Taitokerau, European "discovery" and colonisation, and settlement and industry.
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.
At the Puhipuhi Mercury Mines, a jumble of WWII-era industrial equipment is hidden amongst the re-generating native vegetation.
Ranfurly Scenic Reserve features a pa on top of high peaks with stone-faced terraces, while the Dukes Nose Track offers stunning scenery.
Rangikapiti Pa provides panoramic views over the Mangonui Harbour. It is a significant site to Ngati Kahu, and the terraces and defensive ditch around the pa make it a distinctive feature on the landscape.
February 2010: The carronade at Ruapekapeka pa has undergone a stunning transformation.
Ruapekapeka is the site of the last battle in the north (1845-46). As a defence against the British, Te Ruki Kawiti built tunnels, rifles pits and trenches surrounded by a palisade.
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'.
Taumarumaru Reserve encompasses three pa sites historically significant to the early Ngati Awa and later the Ngati Kahu people - two pa sites are located on the headland (Ohumuhumu and Otanenui) and one on the central ridge (Taumarumaru).
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 more about the history of Waro Limestone Scenic Reserve, which is known for its striking limestone formations, but mining coal was in fact the focus of the Hikurangi community from 1895 until the 1950s.
Read project updates from week 3, Monday 20 to Sunday 26 February 2012 of the archaeological investigation at Oihi Bay/Marsden Cross.
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.
Find out more about the traditional and early historical significance of Whangaruru.