Making the most of Waitanga
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The pier is near the village.
On New Zealand's North Island, Waitangi is a township in the Bay of Islands. It is close to Paihia, of which it is now considered part, and 60 kilometers north of Whangarei. In Maori, its name means weeping waters.
Walking along the beach from Paihia offers a pleasant approach to Waitangi: after around a 30 minute stroll, you reach the Waitangi Treaty House from the sea.
A treaty between the Maori and the British Empire, represented by William Hobson, was signed in 1840. It established Crown governance of New Zealand in return for protection for the tribes. In 1932, Lord Bledisloe, governor general for the Northland area, and his wife "gifted back" (as it were) the land encompassing and including Waitangi and the Treaty House. In the following years, the Reserve has aimed to preserve and share Waitangi's historical significance and national treasure.
Money
New Zealand uses the New Zealand dollar. Some traders, especially in tourist destinations, accept foreign currency. The approximate conversion from US dollars to NZ dollars is US$1=NZD1.30.
Automatic teller machines (ATMs), called 'the hole in the wall' locally, can be found in almost every town.
Staying connected
English, written with Commonwealth (“British”) spelling and used universally, is one of New Zealand's official languages alongside Maori and New Zealand Sign Language.
New Zealand's emergency telephone number is 111.
Many public libraries provide public Internet access, usually for a charge.