The Birthplace of the Nation
Arno and Brioche aboard The Vigilant
If there’s one place you 100% need to visit in New Zealand, it’s the birthplace of the nation: Russell, Kororāreka, and its neighbouring town, Paihia. We recently spent a long weekend revisiting Russell. We’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve visited the town, but it never gets old! There’s just something about the place that feels so special.
Maybe it’s the history, the friendly locals, or the absolutely stunning surroundings; there’s just an ‘energy’ to the place that is unlike any other in NZ (and we’ve been to many).
Fun fact: Russell is important in New Zealand’s history because it played a pivotal role during the early days of European settlement. As the first capital of New Zealand, Russell was a central location for early government. It was the epicentre of critical historical moments in the nation’s development, including its early interactions between Māori and European settlers.
The township became an important trading hub, which eventually led to the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi and later, the start of the Northern War. Russell is also home to the country's first licensed hotel, The Duke of Marlborough. Nicknamed 'the Hell Hole of the Pacific' in the 19th century, the township gained its wild reputation as a lawless trading post for sailors, whalers, and adventurers.
Sunset over the bay, Russell, NZ.
Nowadays, Russell is known as a quaint tourist town with just over 780 residents. Along with its neighbouring township across the bay, Paihia, it continues to symbolise New Zealand’s unity in the face of political and ideological differences. It remains a must-visit for tourists and locals alike if you haven’t already put Russell on your bucket list!
