Mangonui Regional Information

Mangonui | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

Mangonui is a small historic tourist town enjoying a warm, comfortable subtropical climate. Mangonui is located in the Far North of New Zealand.

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Mangonui Overview

Northland, New Zealand

Mangonui is a small historic tourist town located in the Far North of New Zealand. Mangonui enjoys a warm, comfortable subtropical climate and is situated on the waterfront on Doubtless Bay. The town is situated 36 km north-east of Kaitaia. Together with neighbouring Taipa it has a resident population of over 1500 with that number greatly swelling during holiday season.

Mangonui is full of history, even the Māori name carries a tale of a fascinating legend that leads one unlock even more Māori myths and legends. The Mangonui means "big shark" a reference to the mythological taniwha who in the form of a shark accompanied the canoe Riukaramea into the harbour.

Mangonui stares into the breath taking Doubtless Bay. It was in this bay that tradition claim the Polynesian explorer Kupe first landed, leading to Māori migration and settlement years later. A monument at Mangonui's western neighbour Taipa marks the spot of the landing.

Once founded as whaling settlement it is one of the oldest European settlements in New Zealand. Having experienced its heyday in the second half of the 1800s, Mangonui is now a visibly old town rich with heritage buildings.

The bay was visited by both French and British explorers. The Frenchman's name was Jean Francois Marie de Surville and the Englishman was the famous explorer Captain James Cook. In December 1769 both their ships where in the area unknown to each other and never saw one another. It is said that the bay was named when Captain Cook said "Doubtless a bay" after sighting it.

Mangonui Highlights

Mangonui enjoys a reputation for big game fishing and is reputed to have the best fish and chip shop in New Zealand. The fish species include Snapper, Yellowtail Kingfish, Tuna, Striped Marlin, Sharks and more.

Mangonui is renowned for its locally produced Arts and Crafts, wine and quality food. Mangonui offers a fine selection of locally produced different hand woven flax products and more.

Situated on the Far North's rich coast, Mangonui is a place for breath taking scenery and relaxation.