Tohu Whenua: Landmarks that tell our stories
Things to do
Te Tai Tokerau Northland’s network of nine Tohu Whenua tell the stories of our nation’s beginnings - places where Māori and European ancestors arrived, centuries apart. Located in stunning landscapes, rich with stories and hands-on activities, Northland’s Tohu Whenua have something for everyone.
Here is a handy link to Google map for all nine sites
Ruapekapeka Pā, Towai - Explore Aotearoa’s best preserved battlefield, where rangatira Māori and their outnumbered warriors made a final stand in the last battle of the Northern War.
Pompallier Mission & Printery, Kororāreka Russell - Learn about 19th century printing and bookbinding at Aotearoa’s only surviving pioneer printery and tannery, where missionaries introduced Catholicism through books in te reo Māori.
Rangihoua Heritage Park, Oihi - A short walk that reveals a big story. Discover the place where Māori and Europeans first learned to live side by side. The Marsden Cross memorial marks the country’s first Christmas Day service held in 1814.
Kororipo Heritage Park, Kerikeri - The site of important early meetings between Māori and Europeans, visit New Zealand's oldest European buildings (Stone Store and Kemp House), explore Kororipo Pā and experience pre-European life at Te Ahurea.
Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Waitangi - Stand at the spot where Te Tiriti o Waitangi was first signed by rangatira Māori and British Crown on 6 February 1840. Included are a one-hour guided tour, two contemporary museums, carving demonstrations and a kapa haka performance.
Te Waimate Mission, Waimate North - This model farming village was intended to teach British farming practices to Māori with limited success. Today you can explore Aotearoa’s first European farm, including the remaining mission house and beautiful heritage gardens.
Māngungu Mission, Horeke - Located on a hill with stunning views over Hokianga Harbour, Māngungu Mission marks the site of our largest signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Māngungu Mission is also the start or end point of Ngā Pou Herenga Ta Twin Coast Great Ride.
Clendon House, Rāwene - A colonial home built in the 1860s, Clendon House tells the story of Captain James Reddy Clendon and his wife Jane Takotowi Clendon, both remarkable people for very different reasons.
Rākaumangamanga - Cape Brett - It was here that the first seven waka travelling from Hawaiiki found land guided by the light reflecting off the cape’s crystalline rocks. In 1906 the cape became the site of an iconic lighthouse. Access is via a spectacular - but challenging - hiking track or by water taxi/boat.
