Akaroa: A French-Inspired Gem on Banks Peninsula
Akaroa is a charming town located on Banks Peninsula, about 80 minutes from Christchurch / Ōtautahi via State Highway 25. Nestled within Akaroa Harbour and surrounded by the harbour crater rim, this picturesque town is known for its French heritage. You can enjoy a stroll along the waterfront, which is lined with inviting cafés, restaurants, and shops.
The harbour is also home to Hector’s dolphins, seals, and penguins, which can be observed through eco-tours offered by local operators.
A Rich Tapestry of History
Akaroa, meaning "Long Harbour" in the local Māori dialect, holds significant historical importance. In the late 1820s, it was one of several whaling stations along the South Island coast that traded with Māori communities.
A pivotal event in the creation of New Zealand occurred around 1830 when Te Rauparaha, known as the "southern Napoleon," attacked the nearby Ngāi Tahu settlement at Takapūneke with the assistance of British sea captain John Stewart. Such acts of lawlessness prompted the British to appoint James Busby as the first British official representative to New Zealand in 1832, leading to He Whakaputanga (the Declaration of Independence of the United Tribes of New Zealand) and setting the stage for the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.
The French Connection
The French influence in Akaroa began in 1838 when Captain Jean François Langlois purchased land from twelve Ngāi Tahu chiefs on Banks Peninsula. Upon returning to France, Langlois established the Nanto-Bordelaise Company to promote his venture, backed by the French government.
The naval corvette Aube was sent ahead of the settler ship Comte de Paris, with 63 emigrants from Rochefort aboard the ship in 1840. Captain Lavaud of the Aube carried the role of Commissaire du Roi, appointed to administer the settlement and oversee French whalers in the area. However, upon their arrival, they discovered that the Treaty of Waitangi had been signed, placing them under British jurisdiction!
Rather than withdraw from the colony, the French and British reached a working arrangement: Lavaud administered the French settlement alongside a British magistrate, resulting in the mix of English and French street names today.
The crew of the Aube also established a farm to supply the new settlement at the bay now known as French Farm Bay. France's formal connection to the settlement ended in 1846, when the last Commissaire du Roi, Post-Captain Bérard, departed.
How to Get There
To reach Akaroa, travel from Christchurch / Ōtautahi via State Highway 25, a journey of approximately 80 minutes. This scenic drive offers stunning views of the picturesque Banks Peninsula. When you reach Hilltop, you have the option of continuing on the main highway or following Summit Road around the Akaroa crater rim.
Once in Akaroa, there are numerous options for further exploration, including Lighthouse Road, Hinewai Reserve, Le Bons Bay, Otepatotu Reserve, Okains Bay, Ōnawe Pā and Little Akaloa.
