Russell, New Zealand

Russell, formerly known as Kororareka, was the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand. It was the first sea port and the first location of the seat of the Government for New Zealand. Russell is situated in the Bay of Islands, in the far north of the North Island.

Related Topics:
New Zealand - Bay of Islands - North Island

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When European and American ships began visiting New Zealand in the early 1800s the Maori quickly recognised that there were great advantages to be gained by contact and trade with these strangers.

Related Topics:
1800s - Maori

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The Bay of Islands offered a safe anchorage and had a high Maori population. To attract ships the Maori began to supply food, timber and girls. Very quickly grog was added to the list. What the Maori wanted was firearms and prestige in equal amounts and also other goods of European manufacture.

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Kororareka developed as a result of this trade. It soon earned a very bad reputation, a community without laws. European law had no influence and Maori law was seldom enforced within the town's area. Kororareka became known as the "Hell Hole of the Pacific".

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By 1840 it was an important mercantile center and served as a vital resupply port for whaling and sealing operations. When the Colony of New Zealand was founded in that year, Governor Hobson was reluctant to choose Kororareka as his capital. Instead he purchased about 124 hectares at Okiato, situated a few kilometers away and renamed it Russell in honour of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Lord John Russell. It was planned ambitiously, but only one of the intended roads was ever built - leading directly from the town hall to the town jail. A year later he moved the capital to Auckland.

Related Topics:
1840 - Whaling - Sealing - Hobson - Okiato - Lord John Russell - Auckland

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Meanwhile the name Russell was applied loosely to both Kororareka and Okiato. This was made official by Governor FitzRoy in 1844. A year later the town of Kororareka was burnt by Hone Heke at the beginning of the First Maori War.

Related Topics:
FitzRoy - 1844 - Hone Heke - First Maori War

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Now the name Russell applies only to the erstwhile Kororareka while Okiato has resumed its original name. The car ferry across the Bay of Islands, the main tourist access to Russell, runs between Okiato and Opua.

Related Topics:
Okiato - Opua

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