Mercury Bay is believed to be the place where the great Polynesian explorer, Kupe, first discovered New Zealand around 950 AD. Whitianga, is a shortened version of Te Whitianga-nui- a-Kupe (Kupe's big crossing place) referring to his voyage across the Pacific. Taputapuatea stream, midway along Buffalo Beach, is named after his marae (meeting house) on Raiatea Island, near Tahiti.
Historically Whitianga was a centre for boat building, kauri milling, flax milling, gold mining and gum digging and the original European settlement was situated at Ferry Landing from approximately 1836 to 1881.
The first kauri gum was exported in 1844 and reached its peak in 1899 when over 11,000 tons of gum was exported at an average of $120 per ton. Over a period of sixty years, it is estimated over 500 million feet of kauri was exported from the Whitianga district to every corner of the world.
From Captain Cook's Journal - 1769 "my reasons for putting in here were the hopes of discerning a good harbour and the desire I had of being in some convenient place to observe the Transit of Mercury".
Cook describes the remains of a fortified village (Pa) located next to Ferry Landing Lodge. Archeological evidence has revealed continuous occupation of the Northern end of Buffalo Beach for 1000 years.
Some 200 years later the area was settled by the descendants of Toi, a chief from Whakatane. Then around 1350 AD a chief named Hei brought his people to the area and intermarried with the existing tribes. Hei was the spiritual leader on board the Arawa waka (canoe). He named the bay Te-Whanganui-a-Hei. The remains of numerous Ngati Hei pa sites can be seen on prominent hillsides throughout the area.
This image shows kauri logs stored in Back Bay, waiting to be rafted behind the steamer and towed to Auckland.
Historically Whitianga was a centre for boat building, kauri milling, flax milling, gold mining and gum digging and the original European settlement was situated at Ferry Landing from approximately 1836 to 1881.
The first kauri gum was exported in 1844 and reached its peak in 1899 when over 11,000 tons of gum was exported at an average of $120 per ton. Over a period of sixty years, it is estimated over 500 million feet of kauri was exported from the Whitianga district to every corner of the world.
From Captain Cook's Journal - 1769 "my reasons for putting in here were the hopes of discerning a good harbour and the desire I had of being in some convenient place to observe the Transit of Mercury".
The image shows a replica of Cooks ship Endeavour anchored at Ferry Landing to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of his visit.
Some 200 years later the area was settled by the descendants of Toi, a chief from Whakatane. Then around 1350 AD a chief named Hei brought his people to the area and intermarried with the existing tribes. Hei was the spiritual leader on board the Arawa waka (canoe). He named the bay Te-Whanganui-a-Hei. The remains of numerous Ngati Hei pa sites can be seen on prominent hillsides throughout the area.
The original stone wharfe at Ferry Landing