Page 12 of New Zealand Island Discoveries Shore Tours by P&O Cruises

bay of islands bay of islands by amphibious duck approximate duration 11/2 hours bi1-b combine two unique adventures and enjoy the bay of islands onboard the paihia amphibious duck your experience will be cultural historical educational scenic and most of all fun what you experience on the paihia duck the paihia duck is a unique 4-wheel drive amphibian vehicle which allows participants to be picked up from the pier then go in and out of the water using any boat launch ramp it is capable of normal highway speeds on land and around 6 knots on the water from the pier you will travel to the scenic waitangi reserve where your guide will explain the cultural and historic aspects of the treaty of waitangi travelling to the seaside town of paihia you will then enter the water and take a leisurely cruise across to romantic russell where you will exit the water and visit this delightful historic township travelling overland you will re-enter the water at okiato and cruise across the opua passage to marvel at the luxury located within the marina you will exit the water for the final time at opua and travel back to paihia by road photo opportunity on land the towns of paihia and picturesque russell provide the perfect backdrop for photographers at sea the bay of islands scenery is nothing short of spectacular bay of islands historic northland maori culture approximate duration 7 hours bi1-c northland is the cradle of civilization in new zealand and on this tour you will learn the rich traditions and culture of the maori people as well as gain a good overview of the bay of islands area what you visit te waimate mission house the centre of the church of new zealand in the early 19th century and the only survivor of three mission houses built in 1832 te waimate was first occupied by the clarke family its peaceful pastoral surroundings were once the busy scene of new zealand s first large englishstyle farm with wheat fields a water mill and blacksmith s shop as well as the chapel schoolrooms houses and cottages the house became the vicarage for the adjacent church of st john the baptist 1871 and is furnished with missionary period furniture and early tools a traditional marae on arrival you will be greeted by an orator in the maori language and will witness a powhiri welcome before being allowed to enter the richly carved marae meeting house of the maori people the carvings along with the traditions of the maori people will be explained to you by the elders of this tribe who trace their ancestry back to the first maori voyagers to new zealand from polynesia approximately 1,000 years ago waitangi treaty house at this location in 1840 the british crown and many maori tribes of new zealand signed the treaty of waitangi new zealand s founding document first occupied by british resident and acting governor james busby almost all of the timber for the house was imported from sydney and later assembled onsite its recent restoration has shed a great deal of light on the original construction methods in use at the time you will have time to stroll about the broad lawn which overlooks the inner islands of the stunning bay of islands and view a huge maori canoe known as a waka lunch and refreshments a buffet lunch will be served in a picturesque location overlooking the bay of islands photo opportunities the waitangi treaty grounds is an ideal location for photographers and features a broad lawn which overlooks the inner islands of the stunning bay of islands there are also photo opportunities at the marae shopping the waitangi treaty grounds feature a gift shop which specialises in locally made gifts jewellery ceramics as well as new zealand themed souvenirs notes built for the comfort and safety of our passengers paihia duck has a pa system roll down windows and will accommodate any weather the paihia duck has five steps that must be climbed upon boarding to make your day as enjoyable as possible please ensure that you wear comfortable flat-soled shoes clothing suited to the weather conditions jacket a hat and bring along some sunscreen and bottled water notes to make your day as enjoyable as possible please ensure that you wear comfortable flat-soled shoes clothing suited to the weather conditions a hat jacket and bring along some sunscreen and bottled water dress modestly when visiting the marae some marae s do not allow the wearing of hats bay of islands 20 21 bay of islands

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