Discover Kororipo Heritage Reserve
Kororipo Heritage Reserve is a prominent hill located southeast of the Mission House and Stone Store in the Kerikeri Basin in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands. This site is notable for the historic Kororipo Pā, a terraced Māori fortified settlement. From the Stoen Store wharf looking to the east, you can see the distinctive shape of the pā overlooking the basin.
Walking the Kororipo Track
A loop walking track begins at the Stone Store car park, leading you past the wharf and up the hill to a wide ridge. Here, a grassy meadow surrounded by mature eucalypts awaits. Continuing east along the ridge, you'll reach a viewpoint with views over the pā and basin, accompanied by several informative panels.
After enjoying the viewpoint, you can explore the pā further or return along the same path. The wide grassy meadow leads to a track descending to a second car park, located off Kerikeri Road, about 20 metres west of the Stone Store. This entrance is marked by several pou and additional explanatory panels. From the southwest end of the ridge meadow, you can also walk to Te Wairere Falls or take the Hongi Hika Walk to Hone Heke Road. From there, you can return to the car park via Kerikeri Road or take a short detour to the town centre.
Historical Significance of Kororipo Pā
Kororipo pā is a significant historical site, representing a Māori fortified settlement that once commanded the Kerikeri Basin. Its strategic position allowed control over access by waka. The pā is steep on three sides, with a main entrance below the viewpoint, protected by a ditch. In the 1770s, Ngāi Tawake defended this pā as their access point to the sea.
The pā gained prominence as the stronghold of Hongi Hika, a Ngāpuhi rangatira, from the early 1800s to the 1820s. Hongi Hika played a crucial role in early interactions between Europeans and Māori, and the pā provided protection to the nearby mission station and Mission House, established in the early 1820s. However, it also served as a base for Hongi Hika’s military campaigns during the Musket Wars in the 1820s, following his acquisition of 1,000 muskets from Britain.
Getting to Kororipo Heritage Reserve
To reach Kororipo Heritage Reserve, head to the Stone Store car park in Kerikeri. The walking track starts at the edge of the inlet, past the wharf. If you're driving, there is another car park off Kerikeri Road, about 20 metres west of the Stone Store.
While in the Kerikeri Basin, you can also explore the Kerikeri River Walk, with the Wharepoke Falls and Rainbow Falls as standout features. Charlies Rock is another accessible waterfall while in the area.
