Kaitaia is the most northerly town in New Zealand with a population of some 5,000. Kaitaia is located about 110km south of Cape Reinga and 300km north of Auckland. Ninety Mile Beach is just 10km west and Doubtless Bay, on the east coast, is just 20 km east.

Kaitaia has long had a reputation for being affable and welcoming. Its Maori and European history is long and rich.

A service town, Kaitaia supports arable, sheep, beef and dairy farming, vineyards and fruit growing – especially avocados – as well as logging, milling, quarrying and an extensive range of service industries.

Te Ahu, Kaitaia’s magnificent multi-functional civic centre for the northern region of the Far North district, designed by a local architectural practice, is a venue for concerts, plays and other cultural events as well as conferences, seminars and meetings. It houses a fine public library, FNDC service centre. It was formally opened by Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae on Saturday, 28 April 2012.

Museum @Te Ahu (Far North Regional Museum), has moa, kiwi and gum-digging displays alongside flax snails, textiles and early transport and communication history. The important Northwood Photographic Collection displays the work of Arthur Northwood and his brothers from early in the 20th century.

Tourism

Kaitaia offers all forms of holiday accommodation; from ‘handy to town’ backpacker hostels, YHA, camping grounds, motels and hotels, to the domestic comfort of bed & breakfast, home stays and farm stays. Sailing, surfing, surf-casting at the breathtaking Ninety Mile Beach, kite-surfing, diving and fishing (including the discipline of deep-sea fishing) are all popular attractions. Regardless of the weather, there is always a coast with good fishing and sea bathing and this region possesses one of the most notable left-hand surf breaks in the world.