Kaitaia

Kaitaia is a gateway to the subtropical Far North.

Kaitaia, the largest town in Northland, is situated at the far north of New Zealand’s North Island. It enjoys a subtropical climate; the region is often referred to as the ‘winterless north’.

The region was one of the first to be settled by both Maori and Europeans alike. It is an area of beautiful bays, beaches and lush forests.

Kaitaia has excellent accommodation, a domestic airport, and visitor information centre. It is also home to the Far North Museum, which displays a ships anchor dating back to an early European exploration of the area in 1769. Nearby are the golden sandy beaches of Ahipara, the southern most part of the famous Ninety Mile Beach.

The town is a good base from which to explore the Far North; the Aupori peninsula that starts to the north of the town and ends at Cape Reinga. Here the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet, and its turbulent waters are quite spectacular. Ninety Mile Beach, which is in fact only 60 miles long, is a stretch of golden sand and towering sand dunes that runs the western length of the peninsula. Four wheel drive and quad bike tours are popular along the beach, as is surfcasting. Tours of Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga can be arranged from the Kaitaia.