Sail Yacht in Paihia

Paihia is the principal tourist city in the Bay of Islands in the extreme north of North Island. It lies near to the historic towns of Russell, and Kerikeri, 60 kilometres north of Whangarei, and close to the historic settlement of Waitangi to the north, and to the residential and commercial zones of Haruru Falls. Also nearby are the municipality of Opua to the south, and the small settlement of Te Haumi to the west.

Often referred to as the less cold north, due to its year-round mild temperatures, Pahia boasts an interesting array of museums, such as the Otamatea Kauri & Pioneer museums, splendid white sandy beaches, such as Nine Mile Beach, spots to practise deep sea diving, such as the Poor Knights Islands Reserve, considered by Jacques Cousteau to be one of the world’s top ten diving resorts, historical towns ( Pahia y Waitangi ), sports fishing areas (Bay of Islands), and Nature Reserves ( Waipoua Kauri Forest ).

On the North Island, although the area to the west of the volcanic mountains is wetter, the difference is never so notable as on the South Island, and the rains are distributed more evenly. Its position also ensures warmer temperatures than on the South Island. In January and February temperatures can reach 23ºC, whereas in July the maximum is 13ºC. The highest-ever recorded temperature is a modest 30,5ºC. There are frequent rains all year round (more than 1000 mm per year), especially abundant in winter.