# Kerikeri

Kerikeri (Māori:) is a town in the Bay of Islands, in the Far North District of the North Island of New Zealand. It lies at the head of Kerikeri Inlet, a northwestern arm of the Bay of Islands, where fresh water of the Kerikeri River enters the Pacific Ocean. It is sometimes called the Cradle of the Nation, as it was the site of the first permanent Christian mission station in the country, and has some of the oldest buildings in the country. It is a rapidly expanding centre of subtropical and allied horticulture.

## Naming

The missionaries who established the settlement of Kerikeri initially called it Gloucester Town, but this name did not see continued use. The etymology of Kerikeri is unknown with several origins suggested; one possible origin is from the Māori language verb kerikeri meaning 'to dig'.

## History

In c.1770 Ngapuhi conquered the area from another tribe.
In 1814, Samuel Marsden acquired land at Kerikeri from Hongi Hika for the use of the Church Missionary Society for a payment of forty-eight axes. In 1819, Marsden established the second Church Missionary Society mission in New Zealand at the Kerikeri Basin. The protector of the mission station was the chief Ruatara, a nephew of Hongi Hika. Hongi Hika traded with the missionaries, typically exchanging kumara for arms and ammunition, which he used in raiding rival tribes. By 1827 Hongi and his followers had left Kerikeri, leaving the missionaries with a much smaller native population to proselytise and educate. The mission closed in 1848 due to a declining Mãori population and increasing obsolescence of the settlement in favour of Russell.
Following the departure of the Mãori populace many Europeans started obtaining land in the area in the 1840s. By the 1890s most of the land was part of a sheep and cattle station owned by Thomas Coldham Williams, a son of Henry Williams, one of the original missionaries. In 1927, George Alderton purchased the station. He owned the North Auckland Land Development Corporation and subdivided the station into orchards and forestry land. Today, Kerikeri is one of the largest horticultural areas in Northland.
Kerikeri was the first place in New Zealand where grape vines were planted. Marsden planted 100 vines on 25 September 1819 and noted in his journal that New Zealand promised to be very favourable to the vine. In the same year Charlotte Kemp planted the first citrus. New Zealand's first commercial plantings of passionfruit were established in 1927. The plough was first used in New Zealand at Kerikeri, by Rev. J. G. Butler, on 3 May 1820.
Since the 1990s Kerikeri has seen growth spurred by both domestic and international migration.

## Geography

Kerikeri is situated at the head of Kerikeri Inlet, a northwestern arm of the Bay of Islands, where fresh water of the Kerikeri River enters the Pacific Ocean.

## Demographics

Kerikeri has noticeably different demographics from other towns in the Far North. In 2001, over 90% of residents identified as European compared to just over 40% for both Kawakawa and Kaikohe.
Kerikeri covers 22.05 km$^2$ (8.51 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 8,360 as of June 2024, with a population density of 379 people per km$^2$.
Kerikeri had a population of 8,070 in the 2023 New Zealand census, an increase of 885 people (12.3%) since the 2018 census, and an increase of 2,064 people (34.4%) since the 2013 census. There were 3,870 males, 4,173 females and 30 people of other genders in 3,336 dwellings. 2.3% of people identified as LGBTIQ+. The median age was 51.4 years (compared with 38.1 years nationally). There were 1,302 people (16.1%) aged under 15 years, 1,014 (12.6%) aged 15 to 29, 3,147 (39.0%) aged 30 to 64, and 2,613 (32.4%) aged 65 or older.
People could identify as more than one ethnicity. The results were 84.8% European (Pākehā); 18.3% Māori; 3.3% Pasifika; 6.4% Asian; 1.1% Middle Eastern, Latin American and African New Zealanders (MELAA); and 2.5% other, which includes people giving their ethnicity as "New Zealander". English was spoken by 97.8%, Māori language by 4.5%, Samoan by 0.4% and other languages by 10.9%. No language could be spoken by 1.5% (e.g. too young to talk). New Zealand Sign Language was known by 0.3%. The percentage of people born overseas was 30.3, compared with 28.8% nationally.
Religious affiliations were 31.7% Christian, 1.4% Hindu, 0.3% Islam, 1.0% Māori religious beliefs, 0.7% Buddhist, 0.5% New Age, 0.2% Jewish, and 1.6% other religions. People who answered that they had no religion were 55.0%, and 7.7% of people did not answer the census question.
Of those at least 15 years old, 1,149 (17.0%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, 3,549 (52.4%) had a post-high school certificate or diploma, and 1,644 (24.3%) people exclusively held high school qualifications. The median income was $33,700, compared with $41,500 nationally. 627 people (9.3%) earned over $100,000 compared to 12.1% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 2,643 (39.1%) people were employed full-time, 933 (13.8%) were part-time, and 156 (2.3%) were unemployed.
Individual statistical areas :
| Name | Area (km$^2$) | Population | Density (per km$^2$) | Dwellings | Median age | Median income |
| Riverview | 7.59 | 2,595 | 342 | 993 | 49.6 years | $36,200 |
| Kerikeri Central | 3.71 | 2,661 | 717 | 1,161 | 48.4 years | $29,700 |
| Kerikeri South | 10.75 | 2,814 | 262 | 1,182 | 55.0 years | $36,700 |
| New Zealand | | | | | 38.1 years | $41,500 |

## Historic sites

Kerikeri is home to many historic sites, most are located in the Kerikeri Basin, which is registered as a historic area.

### Kororipo pā

Kororipo pā is the remains of a Māori fortified settlement in the Kerikeri Basin. Historically it is known Ngāi Tawake defended the pā in the 1770s; the pa was an important strategical asset as it provided access to the sea. The pā was also the launch place Hongi Hika used in the 1820s for raids on other tribes.

### Mission House

Originally known as the Mission House, and then for more than 100 years Kemp House, but now known as Kerikeri Mission House, it is the oldest extant building in New Zealand.
The two-storey Georgian structure was constructed from 1821 to 1822 by the Church Missionary Society. It was built to house the Reverend John Gare Butler. James Kemp and his family occupied the building in 1832 and the Kemp family continued to live in the house long after the closure of the Kerikeri mission in 1848. The Kemp family continued to live in the building until Ernest Kemp donated the property to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust in 1974.

### St. James Church

St James Church is a Gothic Revival Anglican church situated on a hillock overlooking the Kerikeri Basin. The church was built in 1878 to replace an earlier chapel constructed in 1829. St James was opened by the Reverend Taua and Archdeacon of Waimate Edward Clarke. In the 1960s St James Church was expanded due to growth in the population of Kerikeri.

### Stone Store

The Stone Store, a former storehouse, is the oldest stone building in New Zealand, construction having begun on 19 April 1832. The keystone above the door bearing the date 1833 is thought to have been carved by the stonemason William Parrott who cut the Sydney sandstone in situ, but construction of the building was not actually completed until mid-1836.
Stone was used because the missionaries needed a vermin-free, fireproof area for their supplies and provisions, and for improved security from inquisitive Māori. There was a plan to build a mill where the bridge exists now, and to protect the flour produced from locally grown wheat in the store. But the mill was never built, and the millstones brought out from England went inland to Waimate North instead.
Curiously enough, when work started on the building, Māori were already moving out of the district, and when it was finally completed there were very few Māori remaining at Kerikeri. Furthermore, there were rumblings within the missionary community that Kerikeri was becoming the backwater of missionary activity, eliminating the need to store goods and provisions there. It was considered a folly at the time, but one that blesses Kerikeri today.
Over the years, the Stone Store suffered the cumulative effects of adjacent traffic movements and the ravages of normal wear and tear. Costly remedial work was required and in the 21st century a bypass was constructed and opened on 23 June 2008, to divert traffic and protect the building for posterity. The old stone store bridge was completely removed in the second half of 2008. The reasons for removal of the original bridge are controversial, and there was a groundswell of protest from a number of local residents. The bridge was removed regardless and the debate over whether this was the correct course of action has yet to be resolved in the minds of many residents. The building has been restored to its original state, but does not include the tower on the roof containing the clock removed from the chapel further up the hill, which was removed as a safety measure a long time ago.

### Te Ahurea

Rewa's Village was built in the 1970s to fundraise for legal services to stop a housing subdivision in the Kerikeri Basin area. The land was later bought and turned into a public reserve. Ngāti Rēhia took over the site in 2020 and renamed it Te Ahurea (lit. 'culture') following $1.25 million being granted from the Provincial Growth Fund. Rewa's Village was a recreation of a fishing village but today Te Ahurea contains recreated whare, gardens for growing traditional medicine, waka tours, and cultural workshops. The attraction is based on the 1790–1835 period of Maori culture.

## Arts and culture

The KOAST (Kerikeri Open Art Studios Trail), which highlights Kerikeri local artists and art galleries, is an annual arts trail held over Labour Weekend since 2014. In 2019 the trail featured 40 artists at 21 studios. The Turner Centre, a performing arts and events venue, opened in 2005. It presents nationally touring events as well as locally produced performances.

## Education

Kerikeri High School is the largest school in Northland. A secondary (years 7–13) school, with a roll of 1,598
Kerikeri Primary School and Riverview School are contributing primary (years 1–6) schools with rolls of 565 and 442 students.
Springbank School is a private composite (years 1–13) school with a roll of 220.
Bay of Islands International Academy is a full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 69.
All these schools are coeducational. School rolls are as of November 2024.
NorthTec polytechnic also has a campus in Kerikeri.

## Airport

Kerikeri Airport, 4.2 km from town at 35°16′S 173°55′E﻿ / ﻿35.267°S 173.917°E﻿ / -35.267; 173.917, is called the Bay of Islands Airport. It is served by Air New Zealand and Barrier Air flights from Auckland and has a steadily increasing patronage, handling a record 110,000 passengers in financial 2017/2018. The existing terminal was not fit for purpose and did not meet Air New Zealand's requirements, while growth in passenger numbers also put pressure on the existing facilities. A new $4.75 million terminal opened on 16 June 2019 with improved arrivals/departures, baggage screening and luggage collection facilities.

## Climate

Climate data for Kerikeri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1945–present) :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 34.3 (93.7) | 33.2 (91.8) | 29.4 (84.9) | 29.6 (85.3) | 25.2 (77.4) | 21.6 (70.9) | 21.9 (71.4) | 21.8 (71.2) | 26.0 (78.8) | 26.4 (79.5) | 29.4 (84.9) | 30.3 (86.5) | 34.3 (93.7) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 24.5 (76.1) | 24.4 (75.9) | 22.9 (73.2) | 20.6 (69.1) | 18.1 (64.6) | 15.9 (60.6) | 15.1 (59.2) | 15.6 (60.1) | 17.2 (63.0) | 18.9 (66.0) | 20.5 (68.9) | 22.7 (72.9) | 19.7 (67.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 19.3 (66.7) | 19.8 (67.6) | 18.3 (64.9) | 16.2 (61.2) | 14.1 (57.4) | 12.0 (53.6) | 11.2 (52.2) | 11.5 (52.7) | 12.8 (55.0) | 14.1 (57.4) | 15.6 (60.1) | 17.8 (64.0) | 15.2 (59.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 14.1 (57.4) | 15.1 (59.2) | 13.6 (56.5) | 11.8 (53.2) | 10.1 (50.2) | 8.1 (46.6) | 7.3 (45.1) | 7.4 (45.3) | 8.4 (47.1) | 9.4 (48.9) | 10.7 (51.3) | 13.0 (55.4) | 10.8 (51.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 4.8 (40.6) | 5.3 (41.5) | 3.2 (37.8) | 1.9 (35.4) | −0.3 (31.5) | −1.5 (29.3) | −2.0 (28.4) | −0.8 (30.6) | −0.8 (30.6) | 1.7 (35.1) | 3.0 (37.4) | 3.3 (37.9) | −2.0 (28.4) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 111.9 (4.41) | 123.0 (4.84) | 135.8 (5.35) | 151.6 (5.97) | 173.8 (6.84) | 198.3 (7.81) | 226.5 (8.92) | 185.6 (7.31) | 159.4 (6.28) | 116.5 (4.59) | 100.2 (3.94) | 141.6 (5.57) | 1,824.2 (71.83) |
| Source: NIWA ||||||||||||||