Whangaroa is a diverse and unique area, the rocky outcrops and peaks of the eroded volcanoes with their step ridges and bluffs provide a magnificent backdrop to the calm blue waters of the vast harbour. The bush surrounding the harbour contains the most diverse range of species of flora in New Zealand, as many as just about anywhere in the world, as well as some of the last coastal Kauri forrest.
The area is also historically significant from the first Maori settlements through to the initial contact between Europeans and Maori. It saw the development of whaling and the Kauri timber industry. During the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s Kauri was processed at large mills in Whangaroa and Totara North. Kauri was in massive demand for shipbuilding and the Lanes Mill at Totara North built and launched many ships, it was the busiest ship builder in the South Pacific between 1872 and 1893.
Some of the mills were producing in excess of 100,000 feet of Kauri timber a week. Logs were brought down in drives from the bush and then rafted in bundles of 100 or 200 down the rivers into the harbour and towed to the mills by the Yankee Doodle paddle steamer which was also the harbour tug for the many ships that docked in Whangaroa. The Kauri timber and Kauri gum revolution saw Whangaroa become one of the most prosperous and populated areas of Northland during that period.
Whangaroa was the scene of the biggest bloodshed of Europeans in New Zealand history when the 395 ton vessel the Boyd with a crew of 70 was attacked and set alight after a conflict between the captain and a Maori greeting party in 1809. The captain and 66 Europeans were killed and the ship was set adrift eventually sinking near Red Island in the harbour where its remains still sit.
Today the Harbour is base to the best Marlin fishing area in New Zealand and also has quite a large area set aside for oyster farming. The harbour’s narrow entrance and deep waters make it a great place for a safe anchorage.
