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Location Description

Whangarei is situated approximately 170km north of Auckland, mid way between the Hauraki Gulf and Cape Reinga where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet.

A partial marine reserve since 1980, it is a place which, according to the late Jacques Cousteau, rates as one of the top ten diving locations on the planet! Whangarei is a beautiful town that is both a port and the gateway to the Poor Knights - a cluster of 12 rocky islands about an hour off the coast by boat and the Hen and Chick Islands.

Whangarei Harbour was originally known to the Maori’s as Teranga Paraoa - ’water in which whales run’. As more European settlers arrived, it became more popularly known as Whangarei - from Whanga meaning harbour and Rei meaning cherished possession.

The facilities in the town basin are known as being one of the best in New Zealand, providing plenty of moorings for the Blue Water Boaties, together with a complex of restaurants, cafes, craft shops and museums - all being within walking distance to the City Centre.

Whangarei is the last major city in Northland known as gateway to the North with growing commercial and industrial developments. Whangarei has experienced positive growth in the last 15 years and future prospects for continued growth are excellent.

Visitors Centre

Visitor Information Centre
92 Otaika Road
Phone: (09) 438 1079
Fax: (09) 438 2943
E-mail: whangarei@clear.net.nz

Attractions

• In the 1880s, Whangarei Harbour was the meeting place of northern Maori war parties, some of up to 3000 men. These meetings lead to the name ’Whangarei Terenga Paraoa’, which means the ’swimming place of the whales’, the whale here symbolising the status of a chief.

• The pedestrian mall in the city centre has a series of bronze plaques that tell stories about the history of Whangarei.

• The Town Basin marina is an inner city village made up of local and visiting boats moored there. It has a quayside retail area with galleries, museums, cafes and restaurants.

• Cafler Park and Rose Gardens, and Laurie Park, are garden areas in the city centre. Laurie Park has a flower clock, waterfall and children’s playground.

• Mair Park is located in native bush and is close to the city centre. It has a 1-hour walk to the summit of Parahaki, which features a goldmine and Maori fortifications.

• AH Reed Memorial Kauri Park is a small piece of the original kauri forests of the Northland area. The trees can live for 500 years. The park has a walking track leading to excellent kauri specimens and a waterfall.

• Raumanga Falls has a short bush walk, a waterfall and swimming holes.

• Coronation Scenic Reserve has a number of walking tracks. One of these passes by the site of a Maori Pa.

Facilities

• Forum North (entertainment centre)
  (09) 438 3815

• Pacific Carvers
  (09) 437 2740

• Whangarei Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
  (09) 438 3523

• Octagon Theatre
  (09) 438 2850

• Chipmunks Whangarei
  (09) 430 3838

• Cinema City
  (09) 438 8550

Transport

Whangarei’s public transport system is run by:

• Choice
  (09) 438 4639

Whangarei taxi services include:

• Kiwi Carlton Cabs
  (09) 438 4444

• A 1 Cabs
  (09) 438 3377

• Phoenix Cabs Whangarei
  (09) 438 9933

Community

• Clapham’s Clocks (museum)
  (09) 438 3993

• Whangarei Art Museum
  (09) 430 7240

• Museum of Fishes
  (09) 438 5681

• Whangarei District Libraries
  (09) 430 4206

• Whangarei Area Hospital
  (09) 430 4100

• Oakhaven Private Hospital
  (09) 437 3933

• Whangarei Club
  (09) 438 7429

Pre-Schools

There are around 15 early childhood facilities in Whangarei. These include the following range of services:

• Northland Kindergarten Association
  (09) 437 7284

• Whangarei Child Care Centre Inc
  (09) 438 7171

• Northland Playcentre Association
  (09) 438 2155

• La Maison Montessori
  (09) 437 0029

• Raumanga Te Kohanga Reo
  (09) 438 8900

Primary Schools

There are over 10 primary schools in the Whangarei area. Those toward the centre of Whangarei include:

• Hora Hora Primary School
  (09) 438 3080

• Whangarei Primary School
  (09) 438 3186

• Morningside School
  (09) 438 2021

• Kamo Primary
  (09) 435 1482

Secondary Schools

The secondary schools in Whangarei are:

• Kamo High School
  (09) 435 1688

• Whangarei Boys’ High School
  (09) 430 4170

• Whangarei Girls’ High School
  (09) 430 4400

• Tikipunga High School
  (09) 437 3299

• Pompallier College
  (09) 438 3950

Tertiary Schools

Tertiary institutions in Whangarei are:

• Northland Polytechnic
  (09) 430 5830

• Faculty of Education, The University of Auckland
  (09) 430 2277

Sport

• Ted Elliot Memorial Pool Complex
  (09) 438 7957

• Jeanine’s Dance School For Modern Jazz
  (09) 435 3132

• Whangarei Golf Club
  (09) 437 0775

• Johnston Crawford Indoor Centre
  (09) 438 8712

• Kensington Fitness Centre
  (09) 437 4404

• World Gym
  (09) 438 8863

• Badminton Assoc Headquarters (Northland)
  (09) 438 9675

• Whangarei Bowling Club
  (09) 438 8406

• Northland Rugby Football Union
  (09) 438 4743