page_title: Karikari Peninsula
section_title: History and culture
hierarchical_section_title: Karikari Peninsula / History and culture
caption_attribution_description: Matai Bay, Karikari Peninsula, Northland, New Zealand
context_page_description: The Karikari Peninsula on the east coast of the far north of Northland is between Rangaunu Harbour to the west, and Doubtless Bay to the southeast. It is a right-angled land mass of two relatively distinct parts. The rocky northern part, which has an east–west orientation and is approximately 17 km long, was originally an island but is now connected to the mainland by a low sandy tombolo approximately 11 km long, which has a north–south orientation. The spiritually significant Puwheke sits high above the north-facing beaches.
context_section_description: The local iwi are Ngāti Kahu. In Māori mythology, the waka Waipapa, captained by Kaiwhetu and Wairere, made its first landing in New Zealand at Karikari.
  The two largest settlements are Whatuwhiwhi, which is situated the south side of the north-eastern part of the peninsula and nearby Tokerau Beach, which lies at the northern end of the eastern side of the sandy strip. Maitai Bay (also known as Matai Bay) on the northeast coast and Rangiputa on the west coast are popular tourist destinations.
  The tombolo once had kauri forests, but now the only vegetation is short scrub, some gorse and wīwī (rushes). Grapes are grown on the northern side of Karikari.
caption: Matai Bay
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