Auckland - New Zealand - Rugby - Accommodation and Rugby Matches

Accommodation for Rugby - 100 yards from Eden Park

Cottage at Russell - Location

The Bay of Islands is situated 3 hours north of Auckland. Hosting a spectacular Maritime Park it is also New Zealands largest base for Big Game Fishing. The small cottage has three double bedrooms and a sleep-out with three sets of bunks beds, so the accomodation can easily accomodate a group of 12.

This beautiful area is New Zealand's finest maritime playground. Scuba diving, kayaking, swimming with dolphins and scenic cruises are among the host of yearround maritime activities. The cradle of European settlement, the region attracted the country's first whalers and missionaries. Paihia is the main resort and fishing centre, providing convenient access to the historic village of Russell across the harbour. Nearby is Waitangi, where New Zealand's founding political document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed in 1840. Kerikeri is famous for its arts and crafts and historic buildings, including the Stone Store and Kemp House. Tours are available to Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach in the Far North, and across to the beautiful Hokianga Harbour on the Kauri Coast.

Long before Captain Cook's visit in 1769, Russell was an established settlement of various Maori tribes. From the early 1800s, South Sea whalers found Kororareka ideal as a provisioning port. The town grew in response, gaining a reputation as a lawless and bawdy port, and earning the nickname "Hell-hole of the Pacific". The image has changed but Russell is still a provisioning base for pleasure craft cruising the Bay of Islands and the South Pacific.

The town continued to expand and country's first Capital was established at Okiato (formerly Old Russell) This was later moved to Auckland. Kororareka and the Bay of Islands began to decline economically as a result. This was hastened by the sacking of the town in 1845 by the forces of Hone Heke and Kawiti, two powerful Maori chiefs.

Following the sacking, Kororareka, now renamed Russell, was gradually rebuilt finding its main source of income in the provisioning and refitting of whaling ships. Later manganese mining, fish canning and coal brought quiet prosperity to the area.

From the early 1900s Russell became known as a quiet historic town. Other attractions that brought visitors were the annual regatta and the development of big gamefishing, promoted with enthusiasm by the American writer, Zane Grey author of "Anglers El Dorado" Today, tourism, fishing, oyster farming and cottage industries provide much of the employment for its population of 1200 people.

Things to Do

Attractions include:

Bay of Islands Maritime Park. One of New Zealand's most beautiful areas, encompassing 144 islands and offering world-class fishing and diving, and a range of scenic cruises and wildlife tours.
Hole in the Rock. This impressive natural rock arch can be visited by boat from Paihia.
Waitangi National Trust (ph 09 402 7437)Enjoying beautiful views of the bay, the 506ha Waitangi Reserve is home to the Treaty House, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840.There is also a Maori meeting house and a carved waka (war canoe).
Swimming with the Dolphins. Experience the thrill of swimming with bottle-nosed and common dolphins, which frequent the bay year-round.
Fishing. The NZ Big Game Fishing Nationals are held in the Bay of Islands during February, with catches including marlin, shark and kingfish.
Kerikeri Arts and Crafts Trail. A circuit of artisans in and around Kerikeri from potters to chocolate and wine makers.
Kemp House, Kerikeri. Once part of a missionary post, New Zealand's oldest European building was built between 1821-22.
The Stone Store, Kerikeri. Set in the scenic Kerikeri Basin, New Zealand's oldest European stone building houses a shop and small museum.
Kerikeri or Rainbow Falls. Surrounded by native bush, the 20km high Rainbow Falls can be reached via a short track from Waipapa Rd.
Haruru Falls. Just 4km west of Paihia, this spectacular cascade falls in a rare horseshoe shape.
Russell. Once known as the 'hellhole of the South Pacific', today Russell is a quaint fishing village and a base for deep sea fishing trips. Popular attractions include Christ's Church and Pompallier House.
Long Beach. Russell's sandy beach is a popular destination for fishing and swimming during the summer.
Christ's Church. Built in 1836, this is the country's oldest surviving church. Its facade shows sign of bullet holes dating from conflicts between local Maori and European settlers.
Pompallier House. New Zealand's oldest surviving Roman Catholic building.