The jewel in the Northland crown
New Zealand has no shortage of resort towns which are great to visit, but what are they like to live in? Today, we check out Paihia.
Where is it?
Known as the jewel of the Bay of Islands, the seaside resort town of Paihia is the perfect base for exploring the rest of the Far North’s treasures. Just a threehour drive from Auckland, and you’ll find yourself within easy reach of the 144 islands that make up the bay. The closest airport is located at Kerikeri, 23 kilometres northwest of Paihia.
What is it famous for?
Picturesque Paihia is best known for its amazing beaches. As the name would suggest, Paihia Town Beach is easily accessible, and popular among swimmers and sunbathers. At the northern end of Paihia is Te Tii Bay, a stunning, golden sand beach lined with blazing red pohutukawa trees. Hidden out of sight is Sullivan’s Beach – a beautiful, secluded bay where locals love to swim.
The town’s main industry is tourism, and the Paihia Wharf is where most Bay of Islands adventures begin. Scenic cruises depart several times a day for the famous Hole in the Rock, and others offer swimming with dolphins experiences. You can even go on a scuba diving expedition out to the Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior shipwreck, which was bombed and sunk by French secret service agents in 1985.
What else can I do there?
A 15-minute ferry ride across the bay will get you to Russell, New Zealand’s first capital. Its lawless reputation and the antics of drunken sailors and prostitutes in the early 19th century earned it the nickname the ‘‘Hell Hole of the Pacific’’ (don’t worry, these days it’s far more tame).
For another history lesson, head to Waitangi, just a fiveminute drive or a 25-minute walk up the road. Visiting the Treaty Grounds, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British and Maori in 1840, is a must.
Just around the corner from Paihia is Haruru Falls, which you can walk to from the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, or access by kayak. The settlement boasts a breathtaking, horseshoe-shaped waterfall, and a taniwha is even said to live in the lagoon below.
Who lives there?
Paihia has a population of about 1800, but this swells on a daily basis thanks to a never-ending supply of tourists, and surges to the tens of thousands over the summer months.
Where can I live?
Paihia has officially been recognised as a great place to live – it was named Community of the Year in 2015. The median home value is $416,000, according to QV, but you’ll want to get in quick. Realestate.co.nz chief executive Brendon Skipper said increasing numbers of homebuyers are looking north of Auckland, with Paihia named as one of the top hotspots.
Best time of year?
Find out why they refer to the region as New Zealand’s ‘‘winterless north’’ – a sub-tropical climate makes Paihia a year-round destination. You can expect balmy temperatures in the mid-20s over summer, and during the so-called winter, it should never drop below 10 degrees Celsius.
Paihia knows how to put on a party, and New Year’s Eve draws the young crowd – which, depending on your age, could make it the best or worst time of year to visit.
If you have kids, be sure to check out the Paihia Summer Festival in early January, which the community has run for more than 20 years. It’s so popular many families have taken to planning their annual summer holidays around the free events on offer, which include beach digs, sandcastle competitions, and pirate dress-ups.