Kerikeri & the oldest buildings
Kerikeri holds New Zealand's oldest history in one lovely spot. On the tranquil Kerikeri Basin stand the country's oldest stone and wooden buildings — the Stone Store and Kemp House — beside a historic pā and the pretty river. Around them spreads the "fruit bowl of the north", a town of orchards, cafés and craft. History and good living, side by side.
The Stone Store & Kemp House
The Kerikeri Basin is New Zealand's most significant historic precinct. The Stone Store (1832–36) — the oldest stone building in the country — still trades as a shop with a museum above, while next door Kemp House (the Mission House), from 1821–22, is the oldest surviving building of all. Across the river sits Kororipo Pā, once the stronghold of the chief Hongi Hika. It's a beautiful, layered place. See our Māori cultural experiences page.
Orchards, cafés & Rainbow Falls
Kerikeri is the largest town hereabouts and the fruit bowl of the north — citrus orchards, vineyards, farm shops and some of Northland's best cafés and craft studios. Sample local honey, chocolate and fruit, browse the galleries, and walk the short trail to the lovely Rainbow Falls (Waianiwaniwa), or the riverside path from the basin. It's an easy, rewarding day. See our things to do guide.
Rewa's Village & Māori heritage
Beside the basin, Rewa's Village is a faithful replica of an unfortified pre-European Māori fishing village (kāinga), offering a glimpse of daily life before contact. With the neighbouring pā and mission, Kerikeri tells the story of the meeting of two peoples in the earliest days of the nation — a history to walk through respectfully. See our Waitangi guide.
Kerikeri: your questions
The Stone Store, built in 1832–36, is New Zealand's oldest surviving stone building — a handsome Georgian storehouse on the Kerikeri Basin that still trades as a shop, with a museum upstairs. Beside it stands Kemp House (the Mission House), built in 1821–22 and the country's oldest surviving wooden building. Together they form New Zealand's most important historic precinct. See our things to do guide.
Beyond the historic basin, Kerikeri is the largest town in the area and the "fruit bowl of the north", known for citrus orchards, cafés, craft studios and food. Visit Rewa's Village, a replica pre-European Māori fishing village; walk to the pretty Rainbow Falls (Waianiwaniwa); and explore Kororipo Pā, the historic hilltop pā beside the basin. See our Māori cultural experiences page.
Very old by New Zealand standards. Kemp House (1821–22) is the nation's oldest surviving building, and the neighbouring Stone Store (1832–36) its oldest stone one. They sit in the Kerikeri Basin, an early mission and trading site of huge significance, alongside the Kororipo Pā of the great chief Hongi Hika. It's living history in a lovely riverside setting. See our Russell & Paihia guide.
Yes — it pairs the country's most important historic buildings with an easy, appealing town. Wander the Kerikeri Basin, browse the orchards and farm shops of the fruit bowl, sample local citrus, honey and chocolate, and walk to Rainbow Falls. It's also a handy, good-value base a little inland from Paihia. See our where to stay guide.
Kerikeri is about 20–25 minutes' drive north-west of Paihia — an easy trip for a half-day visit to the Stone Store and basin, or as a base in its own right. The Bay of Islands (Kerikeri) Airport is also here, so many visitors flying in start their trip in Kerikeri. See our getting there guide.