Loading

[-]

Paihia

New Zealand Travellers

Abel Tasman

Auckland

Cape Reinga

Christchurch

Dunedin

Franz Josef

Greymouth

Kaikoura

Lake Tekapo

Milford Sound

Mount Maunganui

Napier

Nelson

Paihia

Queenstown

Rotorua

Taupo

Wellington

Paihia is one of the most northern tourist towns in New Zealand. It is located in the 'Bay of Islands', a natural harbour that has around 140 islands. Water sports, fishing and sailing are popular around the Bay of Islands.

We were told us that Paihia got its name from early British settlers who knew the Maori for the word ‘good’ was pronounced ‘Pai’ and so tried telling the local Maoris how nice the surrounding area was by telling them “Pai here” as in “good here”. We don't know how historically accurate this is but it would be nice if it did happen this way.

Located a few kilometres away from the centre of Paihia is a place of great historical and cultural significance, Waitangi. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is where on the 6th February 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed which gave Britain sovereignty over New Zealand and gave Maori the rights of British subjects.
The treaty is seen as the founding document of New Zealand.

Paihia is a very small town with just one main street which has about 15-20 shops and some tour guide shops along its small bay.
All of the major hostels are along one street a few minutes away from the main street.

 

Things to do


While there, We did some speed boating. The sea was quite rough which meant the boat would hit a wave then bounce up about a metre. It was not as sick inducing as we thought it might be but someone was sick over the side of the boat. We drove (is it sailing if there are no sails?) through a cave-like opening in a large rock which stuck out from the sea. Speed boating was exciting even though sometimes I thought we were going to capsize because of the angle we bounced off some of the waves! It all added the experience though.

We also took a day trip to Hokianga and Waipoua Forest. We would have liked to take the night tour but we were staying in Paihia and didn't have time to stay in Hokianga also. The tour guide showed us some beautiful views and told of the history of the area but the highlight was meeting up with the Maori guide and being taken into the Waipoua Forest. Our only complaint was we would have liked more of the tour to be spent going further into the forest. Next time we are back in New Zealand, we will definitely go on the 'Twilight Encounter' tour.

 

Accommodation

We stayed at Bay Adventurer. We stayed in a studio room because of how cheap it was compared to some other hostels, prices may have gone up now though. As expected for a studio room, it was clean and spacious. It came with an equipped kitchenette and an en-suite toilet/shower. The room also had free tea/coffee/hot chocolate sachets and a flat screen TV. The hostel’s communal kitchen was a good size, clean and fully equipped. The dorm rooms were also a good size and clean. The hostel has its own Jacuzzi/spa (which was switched off to be cleaned), swimming pool, Internet room with coin operated computers. The only problems we had with the hostel was that there were no heaters in rooms (they gave out small portable heaters if you asked for one but they only had a few that worked) and the laundrette was far too small for the number of guests.
There are about 4 other hostels on the same street as Bay Adventurer so competition is high. This probably helps to ensure a high standard is maintained.
Overall we enjoyed our stay there and would happily stay there again.