KERIKERI has a rich history, and is widely known for its successful horticulture and niche food products, chocolates, wine, and more delights. Catch The Farmers' Market every Sunday morning. Take the Kerikeri Art & Craft Trail. Catch a show at The Centre, our new Arts & Performance Venue. Check out NZ's newest Garden of National Significance at Wharepuke Gardens. Or catch a steamboat ride at the historic Stone Store Basin, chuffing along past NZ's oldest historic buildings. Kerikeri was the pa site of the fearsome Maori chief Hongi Hika, who terrorised many tribes throughout the North Island in the early 1800's. Assured by Hongi that they would be welcome, the early missionaries to New Zealand from the English Church Missionary Society, decided to make the Kerikeri Basin the site of their second mission station. The rich soil which is today known for its horticultural produce, would return plentiful produce to sustain the group lead by Reverend Samuel Marsden. John Butler built the country's oldest house, Kemp House in 1822.

The Stone Store followed and by 1836 was in use as the mission store. These wonderful buildings, together with the replica Maori village, Rewa's village, on the opposite bank are regarded as the "Cradle of the Nation" and are a must for all visitors to the Bay of Islands. Within minutes by car or an hour's walk from the Basin carpark is the 27 metre Rainbow Falls (Anianiwaniwa-waters of the rainbow). Further afield lies the Puketi Forest, an ideal place to tramp and view kauris. Kerikeri is noted for its arts and crafts and has an Art &Craft Trail to add further interest to your stay. The town has excellent sporting facilities, a championship golf course, all-weather tennis court, a yacht club and numerous intimate restaurants and cafes. A wide variety of accommodation styles ensure your stay is comfortable and today's Kerikeri is the bustling business and commerce centre of the Bay of Islands. An extensive array of shops and services, including the only cinema in the area, will cater for all your requirements. Kerikeri is where New Zealand bicultural society began and its beautiful scenery, charm and historic basin will entice you. Collect a Kerikeri Information Map and Kerikeri Art & Craft Trail brochure from a local VIN Centre or accommodation source.