Bay of Islands Aerials - NZ

The Bay of Islands is an area in the far north of the east coast of New Zealand. The bay with its 144 islands and many inlets and peninsulas is famous for its natural beauty, wildlife, water sports and fishing.

The area is home to Ngapuhi iwi which is New Zealand’s largest iwi. Many prominent Maori were born in the Bay of Islands and the area is rich in Maori history.

The area was first discovered by European explorers when Captain James Cook visited and named the region in 1769, and the Bay of Islands became the first area to be settled by Europeans. Many of the Maori settlements played an important role in the colonisation of New Zealand, the most important being Waitangi where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, and Okiato, near Russell, which was briefly New Zealand’s first capital under colonial rule.

See this location on a map by clicking here.