Okiato

Travel Guide

Okiato featuring a bay or harbour
Okiato which includes a bay or harbour and a small town or village
Okiato showing a bay or harbour
Okiato
Okiato which includes tranquil scenes and a bay or harbour
Kia Ora! Welcome to the site of New Zealand’s first capital, a forested place where kiwis and wekas still roam as they did before the first British settlers arrived.

Okiato, also known as Old Russell, was New Zealand’s first capital in 1840 until the government moved to Auckland the year after. The place is now sparsely inhabited, making it a safe haven for kiwis, New Zealand’s iconic flightless birds.

One remaining business of those early settlers’ days is the Omata Estate vineyard, so start your tour of the region here. This land was first owned by an early European settler, James Clendon, who ran a thriving trading post at Okiato until Lieutenant-Governor Hobson appointed it as the capital in 1840. A fire destroyed historic Okiato and the town never fully recovered.

Nearby Kororāreka picked up from where Okiato left it. Once a haven for rough ex-convicts and sailors, this former “Hell-hole of the Pacific,” transformed into a gem of a tourist town that was rebranded as Russell. Browse the town’s selection of restaurants, art galleries, shops and waterfront cafés. Don’t miss Christ Church which, along with its cemetery, is older than the nation itself. Tour the nearby Pompallier Mission and taste a pain au chocolat in its patisserie.

For jaw-dropping views of the wider Bay of Islands, hike or drive up Flagstaff Hill (Te Maiki), The flagstaff is historically and visually linked to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds across the bay as it flew the Union Jack when New Zealand became a nation. A local Māori chief despised this British symbol of power and hacked the flagstaff down, which led to a war of independence. The flag of the Māori Confederation of Tribes is now raised here on days of significant Māori history.

While you wait for your dolphin spotting cruise, sailing tour or fishing charter, watch kids jump off the Russell Jetty and chat to the fishermen. Upon return, get fish and chips or an ice cream and linger near the wharf until the sun sets.

You can get to this peninsula along the winding Russell Road from Whakapara, but it’s much quicker to take the vehicle ferry from Opua to Okiato or the pedestrian ferry from Paihia to Russell. If you arrive in Russell without your own transport, jump on a coach tour of the area’s historic sites, or join a guided kiwi spotting tour at night, to catch a glimpse of historic Okiato in a leisurely way.

Fabulous water front apartment
Fabulous water front apartment
Okiato
The price is €142 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
€142
includes taxes & fees
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this apartment in Okiato. Enjoy a garden, patios, and sun loungers. Popular attractions Paihia Beach and Paihia Wharf are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
Beautiful views
"What a lovely setting. So quiet & peaceful, beautiful views, lots of amazing bird life in the subtropical gardens. We loved sitting on the deck with sundowners and walking through the garden & woods down to the beach. Just a special place to be. We were made to feel very welcome. Thank you."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2025

Fabulous water front apartment
Kanuka Bay - water view, peaceful.
Kanuka Bay - water view, peaceful.
Russell
Stay at this apartment in Okiato. Enjoy patios, air conditioning, and a hot tub. Popular attractions Paihia Beach and Paihia Wharf are located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (125 reviews)
Kanuka Bay
"Really comfortable property in a beautiful part of New Zealand. Everything you need and a bonus of a special view from the deck."

Reviewed on 5 Mar 2025

Kanuka Bay - water view, peaceful.
Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia
Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia
3.5 out of 5
104 Marsden Road, Paihia
The price is €100 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
€100
includes taxes & fees
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified hotel in Paihia. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"They didn’t have good WiFi. It was in fact unuseable. Staff just made excuses but all guests we spoke to couldn’t use/connect to WiFi. I chose this hotel because it said WiFi - I had work to do as our stay was for 6 nights."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2025

Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Paihia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Fabulous water front apartment
Fabulous water front apartment
Okiato
Stay at this apartment in Okiato. Enjoy a garden, patios, and sun loungers. Popular attractions Paihia Beach and Paihia Wharf are located nearby.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
Beautiful views
"What a lovely setting. So quiet & peaceful, beautiful views, lots of amazing bird life in the subtropical gardens. We loved sitting on the deck with sundowners and walking through the garden & woods down to the beach. Just a special place to be. We were made to feel very welcome. Thank you."

Reviewed on 28 Mar 2025

Fabulous water front apartment
Kanuka Bay - water view, peaceful.
Kanuka Bay - water view, peaceful.
Russell
Stay at this apartment in Okiato. Enjoy patios, air conditioning, and a hot tub. Popular attractions Paihia Beach and Paihia Wharf are located nearby.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (125 reviews)
Kanuka Bay
"Really comfortable property in a beautiful part of New Zealand. Everything you need and a bonus of a special view from the deck."

Reviewed on 5 Mar 2025

Kanuka Bay - water view, peaceful.
Private and pet friendly lockwood house
Private and pet friendly lockwood house
Okiato
Stay at this vacation home in Okiato. Enjoy a garden, patios, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Paihia Beach and Paihia Wharf are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (36 reviews)
Remote, Relaxing, Retreat
"This is a great spot. It's about 5 minutes from the Opua Ferry and less than 10 from Russell. It's super remote and quiet. Taking our suburban kids (9 and 4) was fantastic. There is a little boat shed at the bottom of the hill and access to a beach which my older kid loved exploring. The beach itself ..."

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2025

Private and pet friendly lockwood house
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.