Opotiki History Day Trip

Wednesday 12th August                                      MT, L

We begin our day in the Eastern Bay of Plenty with a relaxing morning tea in Whakatāne before travelling to the tranquil Hukutaia Domain near Ōpōtiki. Here, a knowledgeable local guide will share the legends of Taketakerau, the ancient 2,000-year-old pūriri tree once used by the Ūpokorehe people as a sacred burial site. Soak in the tranquillity of the lush native forest before heading into Ōpōtiki for a delicious lunch at a welcoming local café. In the afternoon, visit the historic Hiona St Stephen’s Church, where your guide will recount the powerful story of missionary Carl Sylvius Völkner, who was executed in 1865 from a nearby willow tree—an event that shaped local and national history. We conclude our day with time to explore the Ōpōtiki Museum at leisure, deepening your connection to the region’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage before returning through the beautiful Bay of Plenty countryside.