39-614: Russell , also known by the Māori name Kororāreka , is a town in the Bay of Islands , in New Zealand's far north. It was the first permanent European settlement and seaport in New Zealand. Before the arrival of the Europeans, the area now known as Russell was inhabited by Māori because of its pleasant climate and the abundance of food, fish and fertile soil. The settlement was known as Kororāreka, and
78-604: A local Māori chief, identified the flagstaff flying the Union Jack above the bay at Kororareka as the symbolic representation of the loss of control by the Ngāpuhi in the years following the signing of the Treaty. There are a number of causes of Heke's anger , such the fact that the capital of New Zealand had been moved from Okiato (Old Russell) to Auckland in 1841, and the colonial government had imposed customs duties on ships entering
117-484: A phrase used to express delight in the world, or to welcome an honoured guest. The bay's English name was given on 27 November 1769 by Captain James Cook during his first voyage , when Cook and his crew landed on Motuarohia Island . The bay itself is an irregularly-shaped 16 km (10 mi)-wide, 260 km (100 sq mi) drowned valley system and a natural harbour. It contains 144 islands, of which
156-705: A result of this trade but soon earned a reputation as a community full of prostitution and without laws. It became known as the "Hell Hole of the Pacific"; European law had no influence and Māori law was seldom enforced within the town's area. Fighting on the beach at Kororāreka in March 1830, between northern and southern subtribes ( hapū ) within the Ngāpuhi iwi, became known as the Girls' War . On 30 January 1840 at Christ Church , Governor William Hobson read his proclamations (which were
195-560: A vital resupply port for whaling and sealing operations. When the Colony of New Zealand was founded in that year, Hobson was reluctant to choose Kororāreka as his capital , due to its bad reputation. Instead, he purchased land at Okiato , situated five kilometres to the south, and renamed it Russell in honour of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Lord John Russell . Hobson soon decided that
234-500: Is Kerikeri , followed by Paihia . The small town of Russell is located at the end of a short peninsula that extends into the bay from the southeast. About 700 years ago, the Mātaatua , one of the large Māori migration canoes which journeyed to New Zealand from Hawaiki , was sailed to the Bay of Islands (from the Bay of Plenty) by Puhi, a progenitor of the Ngāpuhi iwi (tribe) which today
273-528: Is an area on the east coast of the Far North District of the North Island of New Zealand. It is one of the most popular fishing, sailing and tourist destinations in the country, and has been renowned internationally for its big-game fishing since American author Zane Grey publicised it in the 1930s. It is 60 km (37 mi) north-west of the city of Whangārei . Cape Reinga , at the northern tip of
312-568: Is the largest in the country. Māori settled and multiplied throughout the bay and on several of its many islands to establish various tribes such as the Ngāti Miru at Kerikeri. Many notable Māori were born in the Bay of Islands, including Hōne Heke who several times cut down the flagpole at Kororāreka (Russell) to start the Flagstaff War . Many of the Māori settlements later played important roles in
351-764: The 2018 census , and an increase of 96 people (13.7%) since the 2013 census . There were 384 males, 408 females and 3 people of other genders in 408 dwellings. 3.0% of people identified as LGBTIQ+ . The median age was 61.0 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 57 people (7.1%) aged under 15 years, 66 (8.3%) aged 15 to 29, 342 (42.9%) aged 30 to 64, and 330 (41.4%) aged 65 or older. People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 84.6% European ( Pākehā ); 21.8% Māori ; 1.5% Pasifika ; 1.9% Asian ; 1.1% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.3% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English
390-564: The Bay of Islands , New Zealand . Directly north of the small historical village of Russell , the flagstaff on the hill played a significant role in early relations between the local Māori of the Ngāpuhi iwi and early British colonials . After the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in February 1840 at Waitangi , across the bay, relations between the Ngāpuhi and Pākehā (used by the Ngāpuhi to mean British European) began to deteriorate. Hōne Heke ,
429-571: The Pompallier Mission . In January 2023, the New Zealand Geographic Board proposed that the town's name be officially changed back to Kororāreka, its original Māori name. Russell covers 3.28 km (1.27 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 810 as of June 2024, with a population density of 247 people per km. Russell had a population of 798 in the 2023 New Zealand census , an increase of 36 people (4.7%) since
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#1732884286128468-703: The United States Exploring Expedition were present at the initial signing of the Treaty of Waitangi at Waitangi. In a 2006 study, the Bay of Islands was found to have the second bluest sky in the world, after Rio de Janeiro . A new fast boat manufactured by the Explore Group was introduced in the Bay of Islands in 2019 to take visitors to the Hole in the Rock at speed. The daily transport facility can seat up to 30 passengers and will ply several times during
507-419: The Bay of Islands runs between Okiato and Opua , and is the main tourist access to Russell. There is a land connection, but this requires a substantial detour (the ferry route is only 2.3 kilometres, while the land route is 43.5 km). Russell School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 63 as of August 2024. The school opened in 1892. Bay of Islands The Bay of Islands
546-402: The Bay of Islands, Mary Davis Wallis described "Kororarika" [ sic ] as a town "which appears small, consisting of a few houses along the shore, and cottages scattered here and there on the slope of the hills behind. Nothing is to be seen back of the town but lofty hills not particularly verdant." The Flagstaff War was touched off in 1845 by the repeated felling and re-erection of
585-482: The Bay of Islands, these and other actions of the colonial government were viewed by Heke as reducing the trade between the Ngāpuhi with the foreigners. Traders in the Bay of Island also fermented trouble by saying that flag-staff, flying the Queen's flag, showed that the country [whenua] was gone to the Queen, and that the Ngāpuhi were no longer their own masters, but taurekareka (slaves) to Queen Victoria . The flagstaff
624-567: The Union Jack on Flagstaff Hill above the town. The town was sacked by Hōne Heke , after diversionary raids drew away the British defenders. The flagstaff was felled for the fourth time at the commencement of the Battle of Kororāreka , and the inhabitants fled aboard British ships, which then shelled and destroyed most of the houses. Hōne Heke directed his warriors not to interfere with Christ Church and
663-453: The beginning of what would be called the ' Flagstaff War ' or the 'Northern War'. In 1846 Hone Heke and Te Ruki Kawiti agreed peace terms with the government. The British colonial government did not re-erect the flagstaff again, fearing to provoke further conflict. The flagstaff that now stands at Kororareka was erected in January 1858 at the direction of Kawiti's son Maihi Paraone Kawiti ; with
702-438: The beginnings of the Treaty of Waitangi ) in the presence of a number of settlers and the Māori chief Moka Te Kainga-mataa . A document confirming what had happened was signed at this time by around forty witnesses, including Moka, the only Māori signatory. The following week, the treaty proceedings moved across to the western side of the bay to Waitangi . By this time, Kororāreka was an important mercantile centre and served as
741-411: The census question. Of those at least 15 years old, 150 (20.2%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 366 (49.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 177 (23.9%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $ 32,500, compared with $ 41,500 nationally. 63 people (8.5%) earned over $ 100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15
780-537: The country, Thomas King, was born in 1815 at Oihi Bay in the Bay of Islands (there have been unsubstantiated claims that a European girl was born earlier at the Dusky Sound settlement in the South Island ). The bay has many interesting historic towns including Paihia , Russell , Waitangi and Kerikeri . Russell, formerly known as Kororāreka , was the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand, and dates from
819-464: The country, is about 210 km (130 mi) by road further to the north-west. The bay is known in Māori as Tokerau, a name given by early Māori ancestors referencing a place in the Māori homeland . The wider Bay of Islands area, including the plain surrounding Waimate North , is traditionally known as Taimai, a name shortened from the Ngāpuhi whakataukī (proverb) Ka kata ngā pūriri ō Taiamai ("the pūriri trees are laughing with joy"),
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#1732884286128858-419: The day. In 1886, Albert Ernest Fuller launched the sailing ship Undine in the Bay of Islands to deliver coal supplies to the islands within the Bay. With the fitting of a motor in the early 20th century, Fuller was able to deliver the coal and essential supplies to communities as far out as Cape Brett. In 1927 Fuller acquired Cream Trip from Eddie Lane – with the facilities on board to transport cream from
897-449: The development of New Zealand, such as Okiato (the nation's first capital), Waitangi (where the Treaty of Waitangi would later be signed) and Kerikeri, (which was an important departure point for inland Māori going to sea, and later site of the first permanent mission station in the country). Some of the islands became notable as well, such as Motu Apo (Te Pahi Island) where 60 of chief Te Pahi 's people were killed as revenge after he
936-426: The early 1800s, the indigenous Māori quickly recognised there were great advantages in trading with these strangers, whom they called tauiwi . The Bay of Islands offered a safe anchorage and had a large Māori population. To attract ships, Māori began to supply food, timber and prostitution. In exchange, the Māori population traded for firearms, alcohol and other goods of European manufacture. Kororāreka developed as
975-492: The early 19th century. Kerikeri contains many historic sites from the earliest European colonial settlement in the country. These include the Mission House , also called Kemp House, which is the oldest wooden structure still standing in New Zealand. The Stone Store , a former storehouse, is the oldest stone building in New Zealand, construction having begun on 19 April 1832. These settlements also reared horses during this time to
1014-494: The fascination of local Māori who called them "man-carrying dogs" ( kurī waha tangata ). The Bay of Islands was visited in the 19th century by sealing ships and whaling ships that hunted in the ocean around New Zealand, often bartering with local iwi to restock their food supplied with local potatoes and pork. In December 1835 Charles Darwin visited the Bay of Islands in HMS ; Beagle . In February 1840, some members of
1053-412: The fifth flagpole. The restoration of the flagpole was presented by Maihi Paraone Kawiti was a voluntary act on the part of the Ngāpuhi that had cut it down in 1845, and they would not allow any other to render any assistance in this work. The continuing symbolism of the fifth flagstaff at Kororareka is that it exists because of the goodwill of the Ngāpuhi. The hill is a favoured destination for many of
1092-468: The flag being named Whakakotahitanga, “being at one with the Queen.” As a further symbolic act the 400 Ngāpuhi warriors involved in preparing and erecting the flagstaff were selected from the ‘rebel’ forces of Kawiti and Heke – that is, Ngāpuhi from the hapū of Tāmati Wāka Nene (who had fought as allies of the British forces during the Flagstaff War), observed, but did not participate in the erection of
1131-449: The former capital is known either by its original name of Okiato or as Old Russell. In 1841–42, Jean Baptiste Pompallier established a Roman Catholic mission in Russell, which contained a printing press for the production of Māori-language religious texts. His building, known as Pompallier Mission , remains in the care of Heritage New Zealand . On 18 November 1844, while at anchor in
1170-497: The historic printery/tannery/storehouse of the early Roman Catholic missionaries, is the oldest surviving industrial building in New Zealand, while the town's Christ Church is the country's oldest surviving Anglican church. The surrounding area also contains many expensive holiday homes, as well as New Zealand's most expensive rental accommodation, the Eagles Nest . The photographer Laurence Aberhart lives here. A car ferry across
1209-418: The islands, and by the 1960s, the newly commissioned Bay Belle started this run. Although a modern catamaran now takes this historical route of the original Cream Trip, Bay Belle continues to transport visitors and locals between Paihia and Russell throughout the day. The islands that make up the Bay of Islands include: Flagstaff Hill (New Zealand) Flagstaff Hill (Maiki Hill) overlooks
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1248-479: The largest is Urupukapuka , and numerous peninsulas and inlets. The three largest inlets are Waikare Inlet in the south, and Kerikeri and Te Puna (Mangonui) inlets in the north-west. The Purerua Peninsula , north of Te Puna Inlet, separates the north-western part of the bay from the Pacific Ocean, and Cape Brett Peninsula extends 10 km (6 mi) into the ocean at the eastern end of the bay. The biggest town
1287-533: The move to the Okiato site was a mistake, and Auckland was selected as the new capital not long after. Kororāreka was part of the Port of Russell, and after Russell (now Okiato ) became virtually deserted, Kororāreka gradually came to be known as Russell as well. In January 1844, Governor Robert FitzRoy officially designated Kororāreka as part of the township of Russell. Today, the name Russell applies only to Kororāreka, while
1326-407: Was cut down for the first time on 8 July 1844, by Te Haratua, an ally of Hone Heke. Heke had set out to cut down the flagstaff but had been persuaded by Archdeacon William Williams not to do so. The flagstaff was replaced and troops sent to guard the flagstaff. On 10 January 1845 the flagstaff was cut down a second time, on this occasion by Hone Heke. On 18 January 1845, a flagstaff sheathed in iron
1365-399: Was erected. The next morning the flagstaff was cut down again by Hōne Heke. The next attack on the flagstaff by Hōne Heke was a much more serious incident, Hone Heke's warriors attacked the guard post, killing all the defenders and Heke cut down the flagstaff for the fourth time. At the same time, possibly as a diversion, Te Ruki Kawiti and his men attacked the town of Kororareka. This was
1404-407: Was located on the coast. The name translates to 'sweet blue penguin ', after an ailing chief who had eaten a penguin broth remarked ka reka te kororā or 'the kororā is sweet'. Early European explorers James Cook and Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne remarked, by their arrival in the 18th century, that the area was quite prosperous. When European and American ships began visiting New Zealand in
1443-480: Was spoken by 98.5%, Māori language by 4.9%, and other languages by 12.8%. No language could be spoken by 0.8% (e.g. too young to talk). The percentage of people born overseas was 33.1, compared with 28.8% nationally. Religious affiliations were 24.4% Christian , 0.4% Hindu , 1.5% Māori religious beliefs , 1.1% Buddhist , 0.8% New Age , 0.4% Jewish , and 0.8% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 62.4%, and 8.6% of people did not answer
1482-450: Was that 258 (34.8%) people were employed full-time, 123 (16.6%) were part-time, and 15 (2.0%) were unemployed. Much of the accommodation in the area consists of holiday homes or tourist accommodation. The local Kororāreka Marae is a traditional meeting ground of Te Kapotai, a hapū of Ngāpuhi . Russell experiences a mild subtropical climate. Russell is now mostly a "bastion of cafés, gift shops and B&Bs ". Pompallier Mission,
1521-519: Was wrongly accused of being responsible for the Boyd Massacre at Whangaroa . The first European to visit the area was Captain Cook , who named the region in 1769. The Bay of Islands was the first area in New Zealand to be settled by Europeans. Whalers arrived towards the end of the 18th century, while the first missionaries settled in 1814. The first full-blooded European child recorded as being born in
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