Russell was the original capital of New Zealand before it was evacuated in the 1840s. The town was once called Kororareka which translates to "sweet blue penguin" in Maori, but became known as the "Hell Hole of the Pacific" as many escaped and released convicts found refuge here in the early 1800s. For many years the only road that existed ran from Government House to the jail and the town was used primarily as a trading / exporting town. The first liquor licensed hotel was issued to the John Johnson of the Duke of Marlborough.

A tribal war later referred to as the "Girls War" was fought along the beach in the 1830s after two high-ranking Maori females from different tribes exchanged insults and curses, fighting over affection from Captain William Derby Brind, a married English man. The fight escalated to 1,400 Maori warriors battling each other and eventually led to the Musket Wars.

The area's primary use is as a ferry terminal and personal boaters.

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.

More Information

• Swim Guide - Weather and water quality for Russell at Kororareka Bay and 8,000 other beaches.