Haruru Falls, just out of Paihia (less than 10 minute drive) was a quick digression, with a regular trickle of sightseers. Be patient to get a people-less photo, or roll with it. #Northland #NorthlandScenes #Aotearoa #NewZealand #somethingBeautiful #HaruruFalls

Photo of Haruru Falls only with nobody in shot.

Photo of Haruru Falls with sightseers taking photos & enjoying the view in the midground.

Haruru Falls, just out of Paihia (less than 10 minute drive) was a quick digression, with a regular trickle of sightseers. Be patient to get a people-less photo, or roll with it. #Northland #NorthlandScenes #Aotearoa #NewZealand #somethingBeautiful #HaruruFalls

Cape Reinga lighthouse

Looking north to sea from Cape Reinga lighthouse lookout. It is a fine sunny day with white clouds in the blue sky. The sea is a mix of light & dark blue. To the left is the Tasman Sea & to the right is the Pacific Ocean. It is sea all the way to the horizon.

Looking down & north to the northernmost bit of Cape Reinga where according to Maori lore is the point where spirits depart Aotearoa New Zealand.

Photo taken from path nearer the carpark showing how far (~800m) the Cape Reinga lighthouse, visible in the distance) is. Toetoe (tussock grass) is visible in the foreground.

~3hour drive from Paihia to Cape Reinga (about as north as you can go) & lighthouse. Left is Tasman Sea, right is Pacific Ocean. According to lore, this is where Māori spirits depart Aotearoa. Weather was lovely. #Northland #NorthlandScenes #Aotearoa #NewZealand #somethingBeautiful #CapeReinga

Waitangi Flagstaff stands tall on the grassy lawn of the grounds of Waitangi, and commemorates the location of the signing of Te Tiriti O Waitangi

Interior wall of Waitangi Te Whare Rūnanga (meeting house) showing intricate carved wood, at Waitangi, Bay of Islands, New Zealand.

Exterior view of Te Whare Rūnanga, wooden meeting house, featuring intricate carvings.

Inside Busby House. A display reads, "Wednesday 5 February 1840, around 9am. Three men are standing in this room that you're in. They are putting the finishing touches to the Treaty of Waitangi to present it to the independent tribes of New Zealand. This is a brief account of the events leading up to that."

Waitangi, where Te Tiriti o Waitangi (founding document of Aotearoa New Zealand was signed). Heavy emotions in Price of Citizenship Museum at Whare Maumahara ('House of Memories') gallery remembering the Māori Battalion(no pix). #Northland #NorthlandScenes #Aotearoa #NewZealand #somethingBeautiful

A wooden bench outside a Russell house, at one end is seated a giant stuffed humanoid bunny with a slightly disturbing expression.

View of Russell Museum with a two pou (Māori carved wooden posts) on the lawn. To the right of the building is a boatshed housing a a model of Dumont d’Urville’s ship.

View of Russell Beach on a lovely sunny day with a pier sticking out on the water & the sea looking blue.

Big old Moreton Bay fig tree stands outside the local constable's house. According to the information, the tree was planted around 1880.

Went up north for Easter. Russell (Kororāreka) was once "Hell Hole of the Pacific". Now picturesque, including a big old Moreton Bay fig tree. #Northland #NorthlandScenes #Aotearoa #NewZealand #somethingBeautiful