History - Whangaroa Harbour Big Game Fishing Marlin Capital New Zealand

History

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A Short History
	This unique and beautiful harbour is situated on the East coast of Northland, New Zealand. Native bush grows down to its steep cliff faces and meets the calm and deep water. The early Maori settlements here date back to 1350 when the canoe, the Te Riukakara made its landfall and discovered the shelter of its waters
	In the following years the Maori people flourished, and by 1790, when the Europeans discovered it, there were around 700 Pa (forts) in the area. The first Europeans were interested in the giant Kauri trees, which grew straight, tall and wide.
	They made ideal spas for sailing ships. A strong timber arose from this, until 1809 when disaster struck. The Brigantine Boyd' called into Whangaroa for timber, and conflict between Captain Thompson and a Maori greeting party ended with the Captain, and 66 Europeans killed and the vessel ‘accidentally’ set alight. It drifted up the harbour and finally sank near Red Island, where it rests today.
	It was only in 1823 that Europeans settled again in Whangaroa when the Reverend Samuel Leigh established the first Wesleyan Mission Station. Peach trees growing in this area are a legacy from these times, and Peach Island was named after a peach tree planted by these early missionaries
	The days of conflict are now happily passed and Whangaroa remains unchanged, apart from the loss of the Kings of the forest, the Kauri trees. The mast of the Boyd can be seen today in the museum at Kaeo (the service town for the area).
	The original Lanes Mill, which milled timbers for many a ship and launched them from its slipway still operates today at Totara North. Much of New Zealand’s early history lies in this area. For a while Totara North was the busiest shipbuilding town in the South Pacific. Tens of thousands of huge logs were floated down to its mills.
	Situated above Whangaroa Harbour is St Paul’s rock, an impressive remnant from volcanic times. From this vantage point the best of the surrounding area can be viewed St Paul’s Anglican church, an early settlers building, stands firm 100 years old, just above the Harbour and remains a legacy to the brave and enterprising missionaries.
	Gamefishing in the Harbour dates back to 1925 when both Captain L.D. Mitchell and Zane Grey weighed in fish and were the foundation members of the, now famous, Whangaroa Big Gamefish Club (which does amazing fish and chips). The climate in this area is semi tropical and it is because of this that so many settlers have been inclined to make their homes here.
	Text Courtesy of Shearwater House NEXT 'THE BOYD MASSACRE'

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