The Bay of Islands is a 144-island maritime park on Northland's east coast — the warmest, sunniest reunion destination in NZ. It's also the cradle of modern Aotearoa: Waitangi, where the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi was signed by Māori chiefs and the British Crown, sits across the harbour from Paihia. For NZ-history-curious whanau (Kiwi or overseas), the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are non-negotiable. Beyond that, the bay offers Russell's heritage main street, dolphin and Hole-in-the-Rock cruises, and a string of warm-water beaches. The 3.5-hour drive north of Auckland is a fixture of NZ summer-holiday family memories.
Where it is
Things to do (with the family)
Hand-curated. Every entry links to its official source so you can plan without guessing.
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
The site of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi signing — Te Whare Rūnanga (carved meeting house), the Treaty House, the world's largest waka taua (war canoe), and twice-daily kapa haka and history performances. NZ$60/adult.
Official source ↗Treaty of Waitangi (background)
Background reading on the 1840 founding document — useful before visiting the Treaty Grounds.
Official source ↗Russell (Kororāreka)
NZ's first European-style capital (1840–41), now a sleepy heritage village across the harbour from Paihia. 15-minute passenger ferry. Heritage main street, Christ Church (1836, NZ's oldest), Pompallier Mission.
Official source ↗Paihia
The main accommodation hub on the bay — beach, Maritime Building, ferry to Russell, Cape Reinga and Hole-in-the-Rock cruise departures.
Official source ↗Hole in the Rock cruise
4-hour cruise through the islands to Cape Brett — Hole in the Rock pass-through and dolphin sightings on most departures. NZ$130/adult.
Official source ↗Kerikeri
20 km inland — Stone Store (NZ's oldest stone building, 1832), Kemp House (NZ's oldest building, 1822), and a strong café/orchard scene. Best 2-3 hour outing.
Official source ↗Cape Reinga (Te Rerenga Wairua)
Sacred Māori site at the northernmost tip — where spirits depart Aotearoa. 3-hour drive each way; coach day-trips depart Paihia. The Tasman and Pacific seas meet visibly offshore.
Official source ↗Northland (official tourism)
Itineraries, accessibility info, and group-travel resources from NorthlandNZ.
Official source ↗Find more things to do for your Bay of Islands reunion
The picks above are general. Inside the Reunly app, Rosi tailors local activities, meals, and printables to your actual dates, group size, ages, and budget — and saves them straight to your reunion plan.
Good for
- Reunions wanting a respectful Treaty / NZ-history component
- Summer beach + boat reunions
- Multi-generational whanau — gentle pace, short distances
- Reunions of 15–60 in lake-edge / bay-edge accommodation
- Combining with Auckland (3.5 hr S) as part of a North Island arrival loop
Practical logistics
- Closest Airports
- Bay of Islands (KKE, Kerikeri) — limited flights from Auckland. Most groups fly into AKL and drive 3.5 hours north or take the InterCity coach.
- Group Lodging
- Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands (Waitangi), Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (Paihia), and Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia handle 20+ room blocks. Many bach rentals in Russell, Paihia, and Opua via Bookabach.
- Parking
- Free at most accommodation; some Paihia central lots paid in summer.
- Accessibility
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds are mostly accessible — paths are sealed; the Te Whare Rūnanga has a ramp. Beach access varies.
- Cost Per Person
- ~NZ$240–420/person/day (~US$145–250). Hole-in-the-Rock cruise NZ$130; Waitangi Treaty Grounds NZ$60.
- Cell Service
- Good in Paihia and Russell, patchy further north.
- Park Fee
- Maritime park is free; Waitangi Treaty Grounds is privately operated and ticketed.
- Weather
- Subtropical — warmest, sunniest part of NZ. Summer 26°C / 79°F highs; winter 16°C / 61°F highs.
- Currency
- NZD (NZ$1 ≈ US$0.60). Tipping is not expected.
- Official Site
- https://www.northlandnz.com/
When to go
November through April. December–February is peak summer (warmest, busiest, book 6+ months ahead). March and April are quieter and still warm enough to swim. Winter (June–August) is mild for NZ but most boat tours run reduced schedules.
Best for your group size
Small group · 10–25
Groups of 10–25: a 5–6 bedroom Bookabach in Paihia or Russell, or a 5-room block at Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands.
Medium group · 25–60
Groups of 25–60: 15–25 rooms at Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands (Waitangi side, walk to Treaty Grounds).
Large group · 60+
Groups of 60+: split across Copthorne + Scenic + Kingsgate (all in Paihia / Waitangi). Charter the Hole-in-the-Rock cruise for a private day on the water.
Sample 3-day Bay of Islands reunion
A starter agenda you can copy into Reunly's Schedule and customize for your group.
Day 1 — Drive Up + Welcome
- Drive from Auckland (3.5 hr) — leave AKL by 10 AM
- 1 PM lunch in Whangarei or Kawakawa (Hundertwasser Toilets photo stop)
- 4 PM Paihia check-in
- 5 PM lakefront stroll + ice cream
- 7 PM welcome dinner — 35 Degrees South or The Alongside Bar
Day 2 — Waitangi + Russell
- 9 AM Waitangi Treaty Grounds — guided tour + Te Whare Rūnanga + cultural performance
- 12:30 PM lunch at Whare Waka Café (Treaty Grounds)
- 2 PM passenger ferry to Russell
- 3 PM walk through Russell — Christ Church, Pompallier Mission, the waterfront
- 5 PM ferry back
- 7 PM dinner in Paihia
Day 3 — Hole in the Rock + Goodbyes
- 9 AM Hole in the Rock cruise (4 hr)
- 1 PM lunch back in Paihia
- 2:30 PM whanau photo at Tī Beach
- 3 PM travel home — drive back to Auckland
Reunion organizer tips
Anchor the trip around Waitangi. Whether your whanau is Māori, Pākehā, or overseas-born, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are the most important historical site in NZ. Book the 90-minute guided tour + cultural performance. Allow a full half-day.
Stay in Paihia, day-trip Russell. Paihia has the lodging cluster and the ferry terminal; Russell is quieter but limited for a 30+ reunion. The 15-minute passenger ferry runs every 30 minutes during daylight.
Book the Hole-in-the-Rock cruise for day 2. The 4-hour catamaran cruise to Cape Brett is the bay's signature outing — dolphins on most trips, swim stop in summer. Book the day before, weather-dependent.
Add a Kerikeri half-day. Kerikeri's heritage buildings (Stone Store + Kemp House) are NZ's oldest — combine with a long lunch at The Pear Tree or Marsden Estate winery.
If your whanau hui needs a marae, contact local hapū early. Northland is the heartland of Ngāpuhi iwi. If your hui is on a Northland marae, the host hapū will guide you on tikanga; Reunly handles the logistics around it (RSVPs, accommodation in Paihia, kai counts, transfers).
Drive up to Cape Reinga only if you have a spare day. It's a 3-hour each-way drive — coach trips include Te Paki sand dunes and a 90 Mile Beach drive. Skip if you only have 3 days.
How Reunly helps you plan it
Reunly is the all-in-one app made for family reunion organizers. Free to start. No credit card. Cancel anytime.
Smart guest list
Drop in any spreadsheet — Rosi (our AI) reads multi-sheet, color-coded family groups, even handwritten exports. RSVP, dietary, T-shirt, paid status all in one row.
Open in Reunly →Public RSVP link
Share one link with the whole family. They RSVP per event (Friday BBQ, Saturday dinner) without making an account. You see live counts.
Open in Reunly →Budget that adds up
Track estimated vs. actual, who paid, who still owes. Auto-creates per-guest fee rows from your registration cost.
Open in Reunly →Day-by-day schedule
Friday welcome BBQ, Saturday photo, Sunday brunch — with location, meal flag, and per-event RSVPs.
Open in Reunly →Name tags + printables
Avery 5160 sheets color-coded by family, programs, welcome packets, packing lists — auto-filled from your data.
Open in Reunly →Rosi the AI helper
Stuck on a reminder email? A budget? A timeline? Click Rosi anywhere in the app — she drafts it from your live data.
Open in Reunly →Plan your Bay of Islands reunion with Reunly
Free to start. Build your guest list, share an RSVP link, track payments, and print name tags — no spreadsheets.
Frequently asked
Why is Waitangi important?
Waitangi is where Māori chiefs and the British Crown signed the Treaty of Waitangi on 6 February 1840 — the founding document of modern New Zealand. The Treaty Grounds preserve Te Whare Rūnanga (a carved meeting house), the Treaty House, and the world's largest waka taua (war canoe). For any NZ reunion, especially one that includes overseas-born whanau, this is the most important historical site to visit.
When is the best time to visit Bay of Islands?
February through April. February is the warmest and driest; March and April have the best balance of warm water and post-school-holiday quiet. December–January are peak NZ summer holidays — book 6+ months ahead.
Should we stay in Paihia or Russell?
Paihia for any reunion of 10+ — more lodging inventory, ferry terminal, restaurant cluster, and walking distance to Waitangi. Russell is quieter and prettier but limited capacity; better for couples or 1–2 family stays.
How long is the drive from Auckland?
3.5 hours one-way (240 km) — leave AKL by 10 AM to arrive Paihia mid-afternoon. Stop in Whangarei or Kawakawa for lunch. The InterCity coach is also available.
Can older relatives manage the boat cruises?
Yes — the Hole-in-the-Rock catamarans are large, stable, and have indoor seating. Cruises run only when seas are safe. Pack motion-sickness tablets for anyone susceptible.
How much does a Bay of Islands reunion cost per person?
Roughly NZ$240–420/person/day (~US$145–250). Waitangi Treaty Grounds NZ$60; Hole-in-the-Rock cruise NZ$130. Self-catering bachs cut costs significantly for 6+ person whanau groups.
Other reunion-friendly spots nearby
Helpful planning guides
The complete family reunion checklist
12-month, 6-month, and day-of checklists organizers actually use.
Read the guide →Family reunion budget guide
How to estimate, track, and split costs without spreadsheets.
Read the guide →Family reunion on a $2,500 budget
A real budget breakdown for a destination reunion under $2.5K.
Read the guide →