Akaroa is a small town on Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand, situated within a harbour of the same name.
The name Akaroa is Kāi Tahu Māori for “Long Harbour”, which would be spelled “Whangaroa” in standard Māori.
Akaroa is 84 kilometres (52 mi) by road from Christchurch.
The French arrived in Akaroa on 18 August 1840 and established a settlement: as a result the area still has a French influence, reflected in many local placenames.
Before 1840, the area of the current Akaroa town was also known as Wangaloa, and the subsequent French settlement was known as Port Louis-Philippe, named after the French king at the time.
The town is popular with visitors, with activities on offer including sea kayaking, harbour & wildlife cruises, swimming with dolphins, penguin tours and more.
