Around 40 minutes’ drive from Kerikeri, Rangihoua Heritage Park marks the site of Aotearoa New Zealand’s first planned European settlement. Set among rolling farmland on the Purerua Peninsula, the park shares the intertwined stories of local Māori and the missionary families who arrived under the protection of rangatira Ruatara in 1814.
Begin your visit at Rore Kāhu, the striking architectural shelter overlooking the valley. Models and interpretation panels introduce the landscape and the people whose lives shaped this important chapter in New Zealand’s history.
From here, a gently descending track leads through open farmland towards Oihi Bay. Along the way, signs share the stories of Rangihoua Pā, its people and the missionaries who established a settlement nearby. Rangihoua was already home to a thriving Māori community, and the protection and support of Ruatara and his people made the new settlement possible.
At the coast, Marsden Cross marks the place where Reverend Samuel Marsden conducted New Zealand’s first Christian service on Christmas Day in 1814. Nearby terraces reveal where missionary homes and the country’s first European-style school once stood.
The setting is as memorable as its history. Visitors can enjoy sweeping views across the Bay of Islands, explore the peaceful shoreline or stop for a picnic beside the water. Interpretation panels and a mobile audio tour help bring the experiences of both Māori and Pākehā to life.
The walk is approximately 1.1 kilometres and is suitable for families, although the return journey is uphill. Allow at least two hours to explore the park properly, read the displays and enjoy the bay.
Walk: Around 1.1 kilometres Allow: At least two hours Cost: Free
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