Founded in 1819, the Kerikeri Mission Station is home to two of New Zealand’s oldest buildings and offers an interesting bit of the country’s history. It was built 22 years before the Treaty of Waitangi established the relationship between Britain and the indigenous Māori people. Europeans were arriving in increasing numbers, and there was tribal fighting in various areas.
The Kerikeri Mission Station is one of the first places in New Zealand that the Māori invited European settlers to live amongst them. More importantly, it was a European settlement under the protection of local Māori chiefs. In fact, the land was granted to Reverend Samuel Marsden by Nga Puhi chief, Hongi Hika.
Built by both Māori and missionary carpenters, Kemp House is New Zealand’s oldest surviving European building. The nearby Stone Store is the country’s oldest surviving stone building.
Kerikeri Mission Station buildings
Located in the Bay of Islands, the grounds are a picture-perfect spot worth a visit even if you don’t take a tour. The three primary buildings of the Kerikeri Mission Station: Kemp House, Stone Store, and St. James Church, are on the New Zealand Historic Places Trust list.
Kerikeri Stone Store
Built from 1832 -1836, the Stone Store in Kerikeri is New Zealand’s oldest surviving stone building. Originally built as a Missionary Society storage depot, it has been operating as a general store since the 1870s. Today, it is a fun place to look around for an eclectic mix of modern and old, and there is a small museum on the upper floor.
Kemp House
Kemp House is the oldest surviving European building in New Zealand. Built as a mission house during 1821-1822, it was occupied originally by missionary George Clarke, and then later by descendants of the Kemp family. In 1974, Ernest Kemp gifted the house and contents to New Zealand Historic Places Trust.
Daily guided tours are the only way to enter to the Kemp House. Tours are available at 10.30, 11.30 and 2.15 daily, with an extra 3.30 pm tour during summer months (November to April).
St. James Church
St James Anglican Church is visible when looking up the hill from the Stone Store. It was built in 1878 and is still in use today. A small graveyard, the resting place for the former Kemp family, sits alongside the church.
Where is Kerikeri New Zealand?
The Kerikeri Mission Station is a 30-minute drive north of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. We stop here when travelling to the Bay of Islands, or as part of a longer itinerary to the top of the North Island.
Discover more about the Bay of Islands on Albom Adventures
Kerikeri Mission Station grounds
Situated on the Kerikeri River, the grounds of the mission are lovely, featuring 200-year-old heritage gardens.
Let someone else do the work with a private tour
If you want to see it all and get the history, a private tour might be just the thing. This half-day tour from Pahia (also available as a shore excursion) can accommodate up to four people. The tour will take you to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Haruru and Rainbow Falls, the Stone Store, Kemp House-Kerikeri Mission Station, Rewa‘s Village (Maori culture and heritage), St James Anglican Church, and more. Reserve your private tour here.
Practical information on visiting the Kerikeri Mission Station
- The Stone Store and Kemp House are open daily at 10 am and closing at 5 pm. Check their official website for more details.
- There is plenty of free parking on both sides of the river. A footbridge connects the Kerikeri Lookout to the grounds.
- Entrance to the Stone Store shop is free.
- Guided tours are the only option for entry inside the Kemp House.
- Neither the Kemp House nor Stone Store Museum is wheelchair accessible.
- There is also a café on the grounds, with opening hours from 9 am and closing one hour before the Stone Store.
- Don’t miss two nearby waterfalls: Rainbow Falls in Kerikeri or Haruru Falls near the treaty grounds.
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Have you been to the Kerikeri Mission Station?
While in the region, you might also like:
- Russell, Bay of Islands: A Sordid History in New Zealand’s First Capital City
- 4 New Zealand Waterfalls: Auckland to Bay of Islands
- Auckland to Cape Reinga: New Zealand Road Trip Tips
- Cape Reinga – Oceans Meet at the Spiritual Top of New Zealand
- Things to Do in Bay of Islands New Zealand: Adventure, Discover, Relax
Nancy
What a lovely little church, and how I’d love to meander through that cemetery – love to check out the old stones and imagine the folks beneath them.
Paula
You always find new and interesting places like Kerikeri Mission Station. Keep them coming.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
Your photos are doing an especially good job of making me want to visit Kerikeri Mission Station. It looks like a relaxing place to wander around and just look at things. I wonder if the people who built these structures imagined that they would still be standing and visited a few centuries later. Being new to the place, they were probably hoping to survive at least a few years.
Brooke
Looks like a beautiful and serene place to be! The Keri Keri River looks like a peaceful setting and I could sit by the water all day.
Michael Bradley
My wife and I were there in 2017, it’s such a beautiful spot and the water is so clean and fresh. Its very relaxing and we can’t wait to return. I recommend Keri Keri to anyone who wants a fantastic holiday!
In fact I recommend all of New Zealand! As the slogan say 100% pure New Zealand.
Merlinda Little (Glimmer of Hope)
What a lovely lovely place to visit! Both inside & outside the house looks so gorgeous!
Trekking with Becky
Fascinating. Thanks or another look into this part of the world along with a mini history lesson. 😀
Anonymous
Kerikeri Mission Station looks like an interesting place to visit. I also find it interesting that Kemp House was built jointly by Māori and missionary carpenters. I really enjoy historical places like this.
Lolo
How interesting to learn more about these two houses and how they were built by and with the Maori chiefs for the European settlers! The Kemp House looks practically new on the outside!
Lyndall
What beautiful old buildings Rhonda. I love visiting historic places, you can almost feel the presence of those who’ve lived there.
Amy
keep up with posting photos of Northland, nice to see 🙂
Kathe W.
fascinating- we really need to get over to New Zealand!
L. Diane Wolfe
I love exploring old dwellings. They have so much personality. And my best friend’s name is Kerri – she’ll get a kick out of the name.
Anda
Very interesting, Rhonda. I found out something new about the relationships between the Europeans and the Maori. As for ‘old’ in the Southern Hemisphere, it seems more like ‘new’ in Europe or other parts of the world.
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Rhonda .. gosh I’d go for a visit like a shot – what a gorgeous place … and a wish – yea … a trip down under: would be one … cheers Hilary
Beth
No, I’ve not been there but I’d love to visit. What a fun place to explore.
eileen g
wow, i thought America was a young country compared to Europe, where a 500 year old bridge is the “new” bridge. But NZ is very young, isn’t it (relatively speaking)? I love local excursions like these. The buildings and settings seem wonderful!
Alexandra
The Stone Store is really cool. And still functions as a store, which is impressive.
Juergen | dare2go
I’m always amazed at how truly young the oldest buildings in New Zealand and Australia are. Nevertheless, these are an important part of history. Greetings from an historic baroque town in Brazil (also a ‘young country’ – just not such a ‘baby’).
Suze - Luxury Columnist
It looks lovely – do people drop coins into the wishing well and did you make a wish?
Photo(Geo)grapher
What a beautiful place to visit!
Lexa Cain
What a lovely old stone home. I love the view, the geese and especially the wishing well! Thanks for sharing!
Andria Perry
I enjoyed this article so much! Thank you for the peek into another world 🙂