An area alongside the Town Basin waterfront has been landscaped and enhanced to form a Heritage and Sculpture Trail with a number of sculptures commissioned from local artists.
Further along (about a 10-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.
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 pā site in the country.
It became a thriving port following pākehā (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)
You can book Council-owned land, such as parks, reserves and other outdoor spaces, for festivals, concerts, music events, markets, fun runs or walks, fundraising events and social gatherings.
Permission is required before holding an event on Council-owned land.
Book or apply to hold an event or market
Town Basin, Whangārei 0110 View Map
Town Basin , Whangārei 0110
Find on-leash dog walks and off-leash areas, and check our online map for dog-access rules across the District:
Where can I take my dog?
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Kotuitui Whitinga closure 20260914