Russell, New Zealand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Russell
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Russell
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| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | Northland Region |
| District | Far North District |
| Ward | Bay of Islands/Whangaroa |
| Settled | Early 19th century |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.28 km2 (1.27 sq mi) |
| Population
(June 2022)
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| • Total | 810 |
| • Density | 247.0/km2 (640/sq mi) |
| Postcode |
0202
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Russell, known as Kororareka in the early 19th century, was the first permanent European settlement and seaport in New Zealand. It is situated in the Bay of Islands, in the far north of the North Island.
History
When European and American ships began visiting New Zealand in the early 1800s, the indigenous Māori quickly recognised there were great advantages in trading with these strangers, whom they called tauiwi. The Bay of Islands offered a safe anchorage and had a high Māori population. To attract ships, Māori began to supply food and timber. What Māori wanted was respect, plus firearms, alcohol, and other goods of European manufacture.
Kororāreka developed as a result of this trade but soon earned a very bad reputation, a community without laws and became known as the "Hell Hole of the Pacific", despite the translation of its name being "How sweet is the penguin", (korora meaning blue penguin and reka meaning sweet). European law had no influence and Māori law was seldom enforced within the town's area. Fighting on the beach at Kororāreka in March 1830, between northern and southern hapū within the Ngāpuhi iwi, became known as the Girls’ War.
On 30 January 1840 at the Christ Church, Governor Hobson read his Proclamations (which were the beginnings of the Treaty of Waitangi) in the presence of a number of settlers and the Maori chief, Moka Te Kainga-mataa. A document confirming what had happened was signed at this time by around forty witnesses; including Moka, the only Maori signatory. The following week, the Treaty proceedings would then move across to the Western side of the bay to Waitangi.
By this time, Kororāreka was an important mercantile centre and served as a vital resupply port for whaling and sealing operations. When the Colony of New Zealand was founded in that year, Hobson was reluctant to choose Kororāreka as his capital, due to its bad reputation. Instead he purchased land at Okiato, situated five kilometres to the south, and renamed it Russell in honour of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Lord John Russell. Captain Hobson soon decided that the move to the Okiato site was a mistake, and Auckland was selected as the new capital not long after.
Kororāreka was part of the Port of Russell and after Russell (Okiato) became virtually deserted, Kororāreka gradually became known as Russell also. In January 1844, Governor Robert FitzRoy officially designated Kororāreka as part of the township of Russell. Today the name Russell applies only to Kororāreka while the former capital is known either by its original name of Okiato or as Old Russell.
At the beginning of the Flagstaff War in 1845 (touched off by the repeated felling and re-erection of the symbol of British Sovereignty on Flagstaff Hill above the town), the town of Kororāreka/Russell was sacked by Hōne Heke, after diversionary raids drew away the British defenders. The flagstaff was felled for the fourth time at the commencement of the Battle of Kororāreka, and the inhabitants fled aboard British ships, which then shelled and destroyed most of the houses. Hōne Heke directed his warriors not to interfere with Christ Church and the Pompallier Mission.
In 1841–42, Jean Baptiste Pompallier established a Roman Catholic mission in Russell, which contained a printing press for the production of Māori-language religious texts. His building, known as Pompallier Mission, remains in the care of Heritage New Zealand.
Present day
Russell is now mostly a "bastion of cafés, gift shops and B&Bs". Pompallier Mission, the historic printery/tannery/storehouse of the early Roman Catholic missionaries, can also boast to be the oldest surviving industrial building in New Zealand, while the town also holds Christ Church, the country's oldest surviving Anglican church. The surrounding area also contains many expensive holiday homes, as well as New Zealand's most expensive rental accommodation, the Eagles Nest. The internationally acclaimed photographer Laurence Aberhart lives here.
A car ferry across the Bay of Islands runs between Okiato and Opua, and is the main tourist access to Russell. There is a land connection, but this requires a substantial detour.
Russell School is a coeducational full primary (years 1-8) school with a decile rating of 6 and a roll of 115. The school opened in 1892.
Economy
Russell is now mostly a "bastion of cafés, gift shops and B&Bs". Pompallier Mission, the historic printery/tannery/storehouse of the early Roman Catholic missionaries, Is the oldest surviving industrial building in New Zealand, while the town's Christ Church is the country's oldest surviving Anglican church. The surrounding area also contains many expensive holiday homes, as well as New Zealand's most expensive rental accommodation, the Eagles Nest. The photographer Laurence Aberhart lives here.
A car ferry across the Bay of Islands runs between Okiato and Opua, and is the main tourist access to Russell. There is a land connection, but this requires a substantial detour (the ferry route is only 2.3 kilometres, while the land route is 43.5 km).
Demographics
Russell covers 3.28 km2 (1.27 sq mi) and had an estimated population of 810 as of June 2022, with a population density of 247 people per km2.
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
| 2006 | 786 | — |
| 2013 | 702 | −1.60% |
| 2018 | 762 | +1.65% |
Russell had a population of 762 at the 2018 New Zealand census, an increase of 60 people (8.5%) since the 2013 census, and a decrease of 24 people (−3.1%) since the 2006 census. There were 339 households, comprising 372 males and 390 females, giving a sex ratio of 0.95 males per female. The median age was 58.8 years (compared with 37.4 years nationally), with 69 people (9.1%) aged under 15 years, 66 (8.7%) aged 15 to 29, 351 (46.1%) aged 30 to 64, and 276 (36.2%) aged 65 or older.
Ethnicities were 86.6% European/Pākehā, 20.1% Māori, 1.2% Pacific peoples, 2.0% Asian, and 1.6% other ethnicities. People may identify with more than one ethnicity.
The percentage of people born overseas was 33.9, compared with 27.1% nationally.
Although some people chose not to answer the census's question about religious affiliation, 54.3% had no religion, 31.5% were Christian, 1.6% had Māori religious beliefs, 0.8% were Hindu, 0.4% were Buddhist and 0.8% had other religions.
Of those at least 15 years old, 153 (22.1%) people had a bachelor's or higher degree, and 102 (14.7%) people had no formal qualifications. The median income was $27,100, compared with $31,800 nationally. 87 people (12.6%) earned over $70,000 compared to 17.2% nationally. The employment status of those at least 15 was that 261 (37.7%) people were employed full-time, 114 (16.5%) were part-time, and 24 (3.5%) were unemployed.
Much of the accommodation in the area consists of holiday homes or tourist accommodation.
Education
Russell School is a coeducational full primary (years 1–8) school with a roll of 70 as of April 2023. The school opened in 1892.
Images for kids
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Christ Church, built in 1835 and New Zealand's oldest church.
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The first public notice in New Zealand was printed for Kororarika [sic] by William Colenso's press in Paihia, across the Bay of Islands.
