Town Basin heritage and sculpture trail

Waka and Wave sculpture at Town Basin.

An area alongside the Town Basin waterfront has been landscaped and enhanced to form a Heritage Trail and Art Walk with a number of sculptures commissioned from local artists.

Further along (about a ten minute stroll from the Town Basin) at Hihiaua Point, is the acclaimed Waka and Wave stone sculpture representing a Māori waka breaking through a towering wave.

Heritage trail

The area around the Town Basin, Te Ahipupurangi-a-ihenga, has long been a vital hub for the region. Waka (canoes) assembled there in the earliest days, right beside the largest pa site in the country.

It became a thriving port following pakeha (European) settlement, and for decades has been one of the most important international yacht havens in the South Pacific.

Find out more about the history of the Town Basin locations on Heritage Panels that tell the fascinating story of Māori and European settlement of Whangārei.

Māori history panels - Heritage trail(PDF, 2MB)

European history panels - Heritage trail(PDF, 3MB)

Location

Town Basin, Whangārei 0110  View Map

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Facility Snapshot

Features

  • Art
  • Bike activity or skills area
  • Dogs allowed on-leash
  • Lake or River
  • Outdoor exercise equipment
  • Park benches, seating and picnic tables
  • Walks - paved
  • Drinking fountains
  • Wheelchair and pushchair friendly
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