Best Of Bay Of Islands: Kerikeri and Maori Meetinghouse

Culture thrives and history lives during this memorable look at New Zealand's development as a nation as seen through the eyes of the Maori. This illuminating excursion begins with a drive to Kerikeri, site of New Zealand's oldest standing European building. Built for Reverend John Butler in 1821, it has the protection of the Historic Places Trust. You'll continue to maori marae (meeting house) where you'll be greeted with a traditional powhiri (welcome ceremony). You'll be awestruck as Maori elders explain the carvings adorning the marae and relate their traditions, which extend to the first Maori migration from Polynesia over centuries ago.