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 close to the village.
Waitangi is a township located in the Bay of Islands on the North Island of New Zealand. It is located close to the town of Paihia (of which it is now considered a part), 60 kilometers north of Whangarei. The name means weeping waters in Maori.
A nice way to approach Waitangi is walking along the beach from Paihia - around a 30 minute stroll, you'll approach the Waitangi Treaty House from the sea.
In 1840, a treaty was signed between the Maori and the British Empire (represented by William Hobson) to establish governance of New Zealand by the Crown in exchange for the tribes receiving protection. In 1932, the governor general for the Northland area, Lord Bledisloe, and his wife "gifted back" (as it were) the section of land encompassing and including Waitangi and the Treaty House. Preserving and sharing the historical significance and national treasure that is Waitangi have been goals of the Reserve in the years following.
Money
The New Zealand dollar is used in New Zealand. A few traders do accept foreign currency, particularly in tourist destinations. The conversion from US dollars to NZ dollars is approximately US$1=NZD1.30.
Automatic teller machines (ATMs), locally known as 'the hole in the wall', are available in just about every town.
Staying connected
English, Maori and New Zealand Sign Language are the official languages of New Zealand. English is universal, and is written with Commonwealth ("British") spelling.
The emergency telephone number in New Zealand is 111.
Many public libraries have public Internet access. Generally there is a charge.