Kerikeri

Kerikeri is often referred to as the cradle of the nation because so much of New Zealand's earliest history, especially interactions between Maori and Europeans, took place here. The main town is small but gaining a reputation for its crafts and specialty shops. A major citrus and kiwifruit growing area, it was once principally a service town for the whole mid-north region. Though newcomers have flocked to Kerikeri for its low-key lifestyle, it still feels like a small town.