|
kerikeri
 Arriving in
Kerikeri you are suddenly aware of stately rows of towering
shelterbelt trees lining the roadside. Fruit stalls appear at
regular intervals and there is a profusion of signs promoting
organic produce and crafts.
Kerikeri means ‘to dig’ and early Maori grew crops of
kumera (sweet potato) here. Today the rich, fertile soil and
equable climate ensure that citrus and subtropical fruits thrive,
especially oranges, grapefruit, mandarins, avocados and
kiwifruit. Casual workers find work in the orchards throughout
the year and there is a heavy demand for labour in the harvesting
seasons.
Strolling down the main shopping street you sense the special
charm of this town, which has become increasingly popular as a
tourist stopover point. Behind the quiet facade is a very lively
place that can boast a regional airport, outstanding arts and
crafts, excellent shopping facilities and busy cafés and
restaurants.
Kerikeri has great significance to New Zealanders as a heritage
site. The pretty Kerikeri Basin below the town was the stage for
the founding of our nation. Thankfully the backdrop of that stage
survives in the form of a terraced pa site, a two-storey mission
house and a formidable stone building. Kororipo Pa still has
great mana as the original stronghold of the war-like chief Hongi
Hika who guaranteed protection for the peace-loving missionaries
in Kemp House, the oldest European dwelling in New Zealand. The
Stone Store was the first mission storehouse and today fulfils a
role as a store and pioneer museum.
Other attractions include Rewa’s Village, a reconstruction
of a pre-European village and the photogenic Rainbow Falls, an
easy walk up the Kerikeri River. Further afield is the superb
Puketi Forest, a very worthwhile side trip, where you can view
strikingly tall and straight kauri rickers from an elevated
boardwalk.
A special feature of the Kerikeri district is the excellent arts
and crafts trail, details of which can be obtained from the
visitor centre. This is an ideal way to meet some of the
interesting and talented folk in this cosmopolitan community,
which has attracted people from many parts of the world.
|
