Kaitaia - North Island, New Zealand

Kaitaia is the hub of commercial activity in the far north of Northland. It is located at the junction of two main routes, about 40 kilometres west of Mangonui. It forms a great base for visits to Ninety Mile Beach and Cape Reinga.

The first missionary to visit Kaitaia was Joseph Matthews in 1832 looking for a mission site. He found a Maori village flourishing here. Then followed the mad craze of gum diggers in the 1880s flooding in looking for the much-prized kauri gum.

The Kaitaia Visitor Centre is on South Rd. All buses arriving in Kaitaia halt here. There is a Department of Conservation Office (DOC) on Matthews Ave. The airport is located 9 kilometres north of the town near Awanui and services Air New Zealand flights from Auckland.

Kaitaia Accommodation

The Kaitaia accommodation choices are decent but limited. There is a collection of homestays, lodges and a budget campsite to choose from.

The Far North Regional Museum on South Rd affords a peek into the rich cultural history of Kaitaia. There are vivid displays of local life and Far North Maori carvings which reflect Polynesian art taking on Maori influences.

A huge one tonne anchor, the earliest European artifact left behind in 1769, is one of the prized exhibits of the museum. The Maoris form the majority of the local population and Kaitaia enjoys a rich Maori culture.

Kaitaia Activities

The annual marathon on Ninety Mile Beach is the Te Houtaewa Challenge held in March and competitors from all over the world participate in a series of running events. The source of inspiration behind this event is the famed Maori athlete, Te Houtaewa. The major events are the 60 km ultra marathon run, a five person relay around the same course and the 6 km Walk for Life.

Prior to the competition, Kaitaia hosts the five day Kai Maori Food Festival and the Te Houtaewa Arts and Crafts Festival. Two or three weeks after the marathon, the Te Houtaewa Waka Arms Surf Challenge is held in which six man outrigger canoes or wakas race in the 1000, 3000 and 5000 metre sprints with the finish line at Ahipara.

LooknbookNZ can take care of your Kaitaia accommodation and Kaitaia activities bookings and to let you and your family/friends have an exciting time in the hospitable environs of Kaitaia.