Summer Adventures in Northland: Exploring Rawene and Beyond

Northland Heritage Road Trip: From Auckland to Hokianga and Beyond

Embark on a heritage road trip through Northland, discovering New Zealand’s stories along a stunning route. This 3-day itinerary takes you through historic sites, cultural landmarks, and natural landscapes, providing a deep dive into the heritage of Aotearoa. Follow this path to experience Northland’s best.

This Northland heritage road trip provides a deep dive into the region’s history, from mission homes and cultural centres to picturesque villages and scenic views. Each stop offers a unique piece of Northland’s story making this journey both educational and inspiring.

Itinerary Details

Time: 3 Days
Route: Auckland ➔ Ruatuna ➔ Manea Footprints of Kupe ➔ Clendon House ➔ Kohukohu ➔ Kerikeri Mission Station ➔ Te Waimate Mission ➔ Auckland

Day One: Auckland to Rawene via Ruatuna and Opononi

Start: Auckland to Ruatuna
Leave Auckland early, traveling north on State Highway 1 and then onto State Highway 12 toward Tinopai. This route provides a preview of the lush landscapes and rich Māori history that define Northland.

Stop 1: Ruatuna - Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

Opening Times By Appointment

• Ruatuna is open by appointment only. Please contact us to book a time.

Location: 441 Tinopai Road, Tinopai 0593

Why Visit:
Ruatuna is the historic homestead of the Coates family, most notably the birthplace and childhood home of Joseph Gordon Coates, New Zealand’s Prime Minister from 1925 to 1928. Built in 1877 by Edward and Eleanor Coates, this homestead offers a window into rural life in Northland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Highlights:

• Historic Home and collections: Step inside Ruatuna to see rooms filled with original furnishings, personal belongings, and photographs of the family, giving a sense of life in a 19th-century mission home. Step into the world of Gordon Coates, New Zealand’s 21st Prime Minister, famously known as the “Jazz Premier” for his genial and progressive style. Raised in the Coates family home at the northern end of the Kaipara Harbour, Ruatuna offers a look back to his humble Northland farming roots.
• Architectural Significance and Gothic Revival Style
  Built in 1877, Ruatuna was constructed from kauri timber in a style that blends early colonial architecture with Gothic Revival elements, showcasing the aspirations and aesthetic preferences of the Coates family. The house’s interior includes a Gothic-inspired design with exposed timber framing and rooms open to the roof with the pegged timber frame of the house fully visible. with the pegged timber frame of the house fully visible

Stop 2: Manea Footprints of Kupe

Location: 41 State Highway 12, Opononi 0473

Embark on an unforgettable 75-minute multisensory experience at Manea – Footprints of Kupe, where you’ll journey into Te Ao Māori, the Māori world. Guided by the descendants of Kupe, the legendary Polynesian navigator, this immersive experience weaves together storytelling, art, taonga (cultural treasures), film, live performance, and digital interaction.

Highlights:

• Guided Storytelling Experience: Take a guided tour led by local Māori storytellers who share stories passed down through generations. Learn about Kupe’s journey, his battles and his encounters with the natural world.
• Carvings and Art Installations: The centre’s stunning carvings depict Kupe’s adventures and are created by local artists, each piece embodying a chapter of the legend.
• Immersive Multimedia Displays: Experience interactive displays and digital animations that recreate Kupe’s voyage across the Pacific Ocean. This immersive experience deepens your understanding of the Māori worldview and their connection to the land.

Stop 3: Clendon House - Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

Location: 14 Parnell Street, Rawene 0470

Why Visit:

Fascinating and history-rich, Clendon House was home to the remarkable Jane Takotowi Clendon and her husband, Captain James Reddy Clendon, who witnessed the signing of Te Tiriti (The Treaty of Waitangi). After James's death, Jane, of Hokianga Māori and Irish descent, overcame significant debt to raise their eight children and preserve the family home. In 2023, the family’s papers, gathered over 150 years, were added to the UNESCO Aotearoa New Zealand Memory of the World register, securing Clendon House’s place in New Zealand's heritage.

Highlights:

• House Tour: Walk through rooms preserved with period furniture, photos, and belongings of the Clendon family. These collections tell stories of both James Clendon’s role in pivotal events and the life of his extraordinary wife, Jane Clendon, who managed to retain the home despite financial struggles and raising their children alone.
• Historic Artifacts: Among the collections on display, the reputed top hat Clendon wore to Treaty negotiations offers a tangible connection to the 1800s.

Optional Add-On:

Māngungu Mission
Location: 107 Motukiore Road, Horeke 0475

• Just a short drive from Rawene and situated overlooking the stunning Hokianga Harbour, is the site of the largest signing of Te Tiriti (The Treaty of Waitangi). In 1840, around 3,000 Māori gathered here, engaging in extensive debates before over 70 rangatira (chiefs) signed. The peaceful setting allows visitors to reflect on this pivotal moment in Aotearoa’s history. The 1830s Mission House, the only surviving structure from the original settlement, houses exhibits that highlight the early, pivotal relationships between Māori and missionaries.

Overnight in Rawene or Opononi:
Stay in Rawene or Opononi, where charming accommodations offer a chance to unwind. Take an evening walk by the harbor, enjoy a local meal, and immerse in the peaceful surroundings.

Day Two: Kohukohu and Kerikeri Mission Station

Start: Rawene to Kohukohu
Take the car ferry across Hokianga Harbour to Kohukohu, a village with a distinctive historical charm and a connection to Northland’s colonial past.

Stop 4: Kohukohu

Why Visit:
Kohukohu is a quaint village with wooden buildings, churches, and art galleries, giving it an old-world feel. Once a bustling timber town, it’s now a haven for artisans, where you can enjoy the slow pace and soak in the harbour views.

Highlights:

• Heritage Buildings: Wander through streets lined with historic buildings, including the wooden schoolhouse and churches that date back over a century, offering a glimpse into the village’s past.
• Art and Artisan Galleries: Kohukohu has a thriving arts community. Visit local galleries to view handmade crafts, sculptures, and unique pieces created by Northland’s talented artists.
• Waterfront Walk: Take a stroll along the waterfront, where you’ll see remnants of Kohukohu’s timber industry days. Enjoy the harbour views and take photos of the village framed against the water.

Drive from Kohukohu to Kerikeri

Optional Stop:

Rainbow Falls - Waianiwaniwa - Kerikeri Area

An easy, buggy-friendly walk leads to the breathtaking Rainbow Falls (Waianiwaniwa) – a must-see highlight on your Northland adventure. Located along the Kerikeri River, this stunning 27-meter waterfall cascades into a serene pool, framed by lush native forest and the calming sounds of flowing water. Enjoy panoramic views along the Rainbow Falls Track and catch the vibrant rainbows that often dance in the mist on sunny days. Perfect for nature lovers and photographers alike, Rainbow Falls offers an unforgettable glimpse of Northland’s natural beauty.

Stop 5: Kerikeri Mission Station - Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

Location: Kerikeri, Bay of Islands

Why Visit:
Kerikeri Mission Station is home to two iconic structures: the Stone Store, New Zealand’s oldest stone building, built in 1836, and Kemp House, the country’s oldest surviving timber building. This historic mission site was central to the interaction between missionaries and local Māori, playing a key role leading up to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Visitors can explore the beautifully preserved gardens, walk through these historic buildings, and enjoy a visit to the Honey House Café, which offers freshly baked goods and lunch options.

Highlights:

• The Stone Store Museum: The Stone Store, built in 1832, is New Zealand’s oldest stone building. Inside, you’ll find collections from the mission period, including household items, tools, and trade goods.
• Kemp House (Mission House): Built in 1822, Kemp House is New Zealand’s oldest surviving timber building. Step inside this home and see the original furnishings, which offer a vivid sense of life for the missionaries who once lived here.
• Relax in Beautiful Surroundings: Stroll through the beautifully preserved gardens and unwind at the Honey House Café, where you can enjoy freshly baked goods and lunch with a view of Kerikeri’s heritage landscape.
• Kerikeri Basin and Stone Bridge: Nearby is New Zealand’s oldest stone bridge, which spans the river and provides a scenic spot to reflect on Kerikeri’s historical significance.

Overnight in Kerikeri:
Kerikeri is a lively town with a mix of historic and modern attractions. Stay the night here and enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants or cafes.

Day Three: Te Waimate Mission and Return to Auckland

Start: Kerikeri to Te Waimate Mission

Stop 6: Te Waimate Mission - Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga

Location: Waimate North, Bay of Islands

Why Visit:

Te Waimate Mission, New Zealand’s first European-style farm and the 2nd oldest building in Aotearoa, was founded in the 1830s with the permission of local Rangatira (chiefs) interested in learning about English farming methods. Having been built in 1832. It was part of an extensive mission station, established by the London-based Church Missionary Society (CMS) two years before. This historic mission station was part of a larger model farming village, introducing groundbreaking agricultural practices and serving as an influential example for the region’s development. Rich with memories, Te Waimate Mission has hosted notable figures, including the renowned biologist, Charles Darwin. Today, visitors can explore the beautifully restored buildings and heritage gardens, immersing themselves in the serene environment and learning about the mission’s pivotal role in shaping New Zealand’s agricultural landscape.

Highlights:

• Te Waimate Mission House Tour: Walk through the mission house, where original furnishings, family collections, and historical displays bring to life the challenges of early missionary work in New Zealand. Discover the remains of a model farming village, including the country's first water-powered flour mill.
• Education and Agricultural Model: Learn about the workshops, mills, and blacksmithing that once took place here, and the exchanges of knowledge that marked early settler life. You’ll see period furniture and a range of original agricultural and carpentry tools.
• Farm: After nearly two centuries, Te Waimate is still a working farm. Access to some areas maybe restricted due to farm animals and electric fences may be in use in these areas.

Return to Auckland