Overnight Visit #1

8.00am

Depart Auckland for Bay of Islands

12 noon

Arrive Bay of Islands
Lunch at Copthorne
Check into accommodation

1.30 – 4.30pm

Taiamai Tours NCEA curriculum links

Join Taiamai Tours aboard their waka at Waitangi boat ramp (5 minutes walk from Copthorne). Gain a deeper understanding of ancient histories and stories whilst you paddle a 40 ft Waka Taua (War Canoe) on the tidal estuaries of the Waitangi River. This Qualmark endorsed and exclusive war canoe voyage is a perfect combination of eco, spiritual and interactive cultural experiences.

4.30pm

Walk back to Copthorne, where you have time to refresh (in the pool) before starting your evening experience at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

5.30 – 7.30pm

Hāngi & Concert at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. NCEA curriculum links

Walk to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds for a themed cultural evening. You’ll be treated to a traditional Māori hāngi cooked in a contemporary earth oven. The experience starts at Whare Waka Café with the unveiling of the hāngi, a spine-tingling cultural performance in the Carved Meeting House followed by the hāngi buffet of meats, stuffing, vegetables, breads, salads and steamed pudding.

8am

Breakfast at Copthorne, collect packed lunches

Check out of accommodation

9.30am

Bay Belle Ferry from Paihia to Russell

10am

Pompallier Mission & Printery NCEA curriculum links

Social and technical history comes to life at Pompallier Mission in a fun hands-on history experience. In this historic 1840’s Printery you are encouraged to try your hand at tanning and leather production, typesetting, printing and bookbinding, as it was done 175 years ago. Listen to the stories of courageous missionaries who made Māori language books and were witnesses to Treaty-making and the Northern wars.

11am

Russell Museum NCEA curriculum links

Only five years after the Treaty signing at Waitangi, Hone Heke’s warriors felled the British flagstaff on Maiki Hill, the inhabitants of Kororāreka fled and the town burned. Russell Museum tells the Battle of Kororāreka story, and others, through artefacts, displays and a short video. See early Māori weapons, weaving and taonga, a 1:5 scale model of Cook’s Endeavour & whaling relics.

12 noon

Lunch at the picturesque Russell waterfront

12.40pm– 4.20pm

Fullers GreatSights Hole in the Rock With Dolphins Cruise NCEA curriculum links

Take a half-day Bay of Islands cruise in search of dolphins and other marine life. Enjoy the views from our catamaran Dolphin Seeker as we journey around the Bay of Islands right to the end of the Cape Brett Peninsula, to the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island.

Depart Paihia at own leisure.