Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Mar 25, 2025 | Neighborhood, New Zealand, Oceania, Town

The Bay of Islands is a region in New Zealand known for its turquoise waters, island cruises, historic sites, and natural beauty. 1045

Paihia: Cnr Marsden Rd, Williams Road, and, Paihia 0200, New Zealand
Russell Wharf, Russell, Bay of Islands: 27 The Strand, Russell 0202, New Zealand
Pompallier Mission and Printery: 5 The Strand, Russell 0202, New Zealand
Christ Church, Kororāreka Russell: 1 Church Street, Russell 0202, New Zealand
Date Picture Taken: February 2025

The Bay of Islands was the first stop on my 12-day cruise through New Zealand and Sydney, Australia.

After our ship anchored offshore, we were tendered to Waitangi Wharf, in Paihia, where various options awaited to explore this region.

From Paihia, we took another ferry to Russell. Russell is a historic town offers charming streets, cafes, and the Pompallier Mission and Printery.

A view of the left side direction of the ocean side street

A view on the right side direction of the ocean side street

Most of the main attractions are on the right side, so I chose to walk along this side of the road.

There were many charming houses on the road

Pompallier Mission and Printery. It is one of New Zealand’s most significant heritage sites. Established in 1842 by French Catholic missionaries of the Society of Mary, it originally served as a mission house, printery, tannery, and storehouse. Its main purpose was to support the spread of Catholicism among Māori by printing religious texts in the Māori language.

The building itself is constructed of rammed earth, a rare example of this technique in New Zealand, and has been beautifully restored. Inside, visitors can see a working replica of the original printing press, learn how the missionaries produced books from tanning leather to typesetting and binding, and explore the hand-crafted tools and materials used at the time.

The Mission’s Cafe

Walking back toward the harbor port

I followed the road back toward Christ Church in Kororāreka (Russell).

Christ Church in Kororāreka (Russell) is the oldest surviving church in New Zealand, built in 1835. Despite its simple wooden structure, it holds deep historical significance. During the 1845 Battle of Kororāreka, the church was caught in the crossfire between British forces and Māori warriors, and bullet holes from the conflict can still be seen in its walls today.

The church was a place of worship for both European settlers and Māori, reflecting the mixed community of early Russell. It’s surrounded by a peaceful graveyard where many early settlers, sailors, and Māori are buried, including both British and Māori who died in the 1845 conflict. Still in use today, Christ Church offers a serene and moving glimpse into New Zealand’s colonial past.