Kaitaia is the most northern town in New Zealand. The nearest city is Whangarei, 160 kilometres south, and New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, is a 5-hour drive south. Kaitaia has its own airport and there is a daily express bus service to and from Auckland.
The word Kaitaia means abundance of food in Maori, reflecting the prolific birdlife in the region’s ancient kauri forests as well as a plentiful supply of fish and shellfish. Kaitaia is the second largest commercial centre in Northland and a busy farming town, with cattle and dairy farming, forestry, and fruit trees – particularly avocados – dominant. Tourism is an important industry and many craftspeople live in and around the district.
Kaitaia is the gateway to the popular tourist destination of Cape Reinga via Ninety Mile Beach. Cape Reinga is the most northern point of New Zealand and also where the Tasman and Pacific oceans meet. Ninety Mile Beach has great surfing, including one of the most notable left hand surf breaks in the world, fishing and enormous sand dunes. In addition there are many magnificent, safe swimming beaches that can be found along the nearly 2000 kilometres of coastline that make up New Zealand’s Far North District. Included is the Bay of Islands, a world-renowned tourist destination. A sub-tropical climate has given the region the nickname of ‘the Winterless North’, and this coastline with its diverse landforms and ecologies, including substantial tracts of native forest, can be enjoyed all year round. Places of interest are easily accessible, and a series of ‘trails’ connects people to common points of interest, whether it is heritage, wine, golf or art.
Kaitaia’s population is around 5000 and about 45 percent of these are Maori, many with lower socio-economic status. Much community consultation is carried out on marae, or meeting houses, with several trusts and community groups established to look after the specific needs of local populations.
The town is well-serviced with shops and other essential services. Recreational facilities include an indoor sports centre, and facilities for bowls, golf, tennis and squash. It has a good public library and there is a comprehensive choice of schools.
For further information about this location, please refer to:
www.northlandnz.com provides a comprehensive list of regional activities, including sections on living and working in Northland
www.stats.govt.nz (statistics by area/community profiles/alphabetical list/k/kaitaia) for statistical information about the population of Kaitaia
www.ero.govt.nz provides an evaluation of each New Zealand school
The information on these pages was accurate at the time of listing. As some detail may have since changed, NZLocums recommends the information be used as a guideline only.
Kaitaia is the most northern town in New Zealand. The nearest city is Whangarei, 160 kilometres south, and New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, is a 5-hour drive south. Kaitaia has its own airport and there is a daily express bus service to and from Auckland.