Russell Booking and Information Centre

09/02/2025

Please contact [email protected] to order versions of this wonderful product.

26/01/2025

Fantastic piece of History work to mark Waitangi Week.

From Wednesday we will have a A4 - taster version for sale - of this superb depiction of NZ History. It will also feature some information on the back to mark the occasion.

We will also have on display an A1 version and the ability to order A1 or A2.

It is a great feature in every home, office and classroom. Please get in touch if you would like to pre-order or need more information.

Contact [email protected]

23/01/2025

As we have said before ... everyone is welcome and loved in Russell.

The shark was filmed on Wednesday swimming among the boat at the pier in the Bay of Islands.

04/01/2025

Booking for the Treaty Grounds through Russell Booking and Info.

In 2024 I wrote the piece below.

The www.facebook.com/WaitangiTreatyGrounds/ are well worth a visit.

You can book through RB&I, go across on the Ferry to be picked up on the other side by the Waitangi people - or hire electric bikes from Wood2Water and get there yourselves.

The makings of a truly great day for your memories.

Alwyn Poole

OPINION: The Treaty Grounds enable deep learning and a fountain of knowledge.

27/12/2024

Another beautiful reason to come to the Bay of Islands and book a wonderful boat trip on www.facebook.com/Islandgetawaytoursnz/ through Russell Booking.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/urupukapuka-paradise-in-the-heart-of-the-bay-of-islands/5XABMFSO7BATRFGA5MA3CGF7WY/

Call us on 0800 633255

There's so much for locals and visitors to see and do on Urupukapuka Island

21/12/2024

Down at Wood2Water (York St, Russell) the new electric bikes are going great for summer already. Please tell you guests and come and hire them yourself as a treat.

We also have a great range or new products in Wood2Water as well as favourites from our long-term suppliers.

Brilliant Christmas presents.

13/12/2024

This is so the Bay Of Islands

🎶🌍 Order our latest album Songs For Humanity now! https://shop.playingforchange.com/collections/songs-for-humanity 🎧✨In celebration of the 50th anniversar...

13/12/2024

Great new stock for Christmas at Wood2Water.

07/11/2024

In the NZ Herald: Why the Waitangi Treaty Grounds should be a pilgrimage for every student.

I lived in the Bay of Islands for 6 of the last 10 years and I am adament NZers going to the Treaty Grounds is important for NZ’s pathway forward. Especially so given the current Bill ACT has introduced. The opinion piece is behind NZH’s paywall – here are a few key points.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/why-the-waitangi-treaty-grounds-should-be-a-pilgrimage-for-every-student-alwyn-poole/G2JPNYEWGFH3THIR5XHPNDC3EU/

“All of these [Bay of Islands] experiences are wonderful and should be highly sought-after by New Zealanders and overseas tourists.

However, the real driver to bring our young people to the area is the foundational history of our nation as exemplified by the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

The whole place is awesome – in the true sense of the word. Te Whare Rūnanga, The Treaty House, Te Kōngahu Museum of Waitangi, Te Rau Aroha Museum of the Price of Citizenship, Flagstaff, the Waka. Add to those features the sheer beauty of the site and the wonderful views across the bay and out towards those 144 islands.

…..

The Treaty Grounds enables deep learning and a fountain of knowledge on the foundations of our nation; from the arrival of Maori, to Abel Tasman clashing in Golden Bay, to Cook’s three visits, to the tribal wars and early clashes between cultures, to the traders that followed and onto the first missionaries and James Busby.

You can learn so much about what happened in the 1830s and 1840s; the flag and Declaration of Independence by the United Tribes, the Treaty of Waitangi and the signatories. You learn detail of many of the clashes and developments that followed. You learn of the names of the people of the time and their deeds for good and bad. You can also find many of their gravesites in the nearby towns which is a great anchor to reality.

…..

This makes the Treaty Grounds the pivotal geographic place to visit for a complete education. It is a place that rips away misunderstanding and bias while leaving plenty of room for passion and developing views.

…..

Our nation is still very young on a world history scale. That there is so much learning in one place is remarkable and the more of our population, young, adult and elderly, that experience it – the better we will be as a society.”

OPINION: The Treaty Grounds enable deep learning and a fountain of knowledge.

05/11/2024

I (Alwyn Poole) know the work of AUT's Professor of Public Health - and superb author/speaker Grant Schofield very well.

With his team - their next ‘Prevention is Cure Tour’ event is coming to Whangārei this month. This is an incredible opportunity for you to connect with the PREKURE community and hear from our Future of Medicine thought leaders:

Prof Grant Schofield: Best-Selling Author and Visionary Professor of Public Health speaking on The Future of Medicine.

Ian Pritchard: Award-Winning Wellbeing Specialist speaking on Mental Health and the Power of Connected Communities.

Dr Louise Schofield: Behaviour Change Specialist and Entrepreneur speaking on Coaching Techniques to Drive Lasting Change.🗓️ Date: Wednesday 27th November

🕒 Time: 6.00-8.30pm

📍 Location: Semenoff Stadium, 51 Okara Drive, Whangārei

This really is an unmissable event to be at the forefront of preventative care and connect with the future of medicine community - we’ll be diving into the very latest evidence-based science and practice in preventative lifestyle medicine, and how to drive better health outcomes.

26/10/2024

Of course!

25 spots made the National Geographic list, with only two in Oceania.

22/10/2024

You have to be prepared to have a SPONTY and come to the Bay of Islands.

While the rest of NZ is bracing themselves for incelement weather. In Russell and the BoI it is going to be better than okay!

Tell your friends and relations to get in the car ... enjoy a relaxed drift North and have a great long weekend in the nations most beautiful spot.

We can help guide/book for accommodation, where to eat, adventures on land and at sea (island visits, fishing charters - looking like a bumper season).

Give us a call - 094038020 or email [email protected]

18/10/2024

It is always a gorgeous thing to see the cruise ships in our beautiful harbour!

15/10/2024

Local to the Bay of Islands and want to make a difference in the community? Come work with us at the Russell Booking and Information Office – a central hub for Bay of Islands adventure, tourism, and local experiences.

Daily you will be dealing with national and international visitors in person or online, booking them on their requested tours, sharing your local knowledge/recommendations as well as making sure they have the best experience while visiting Russell and the Bay of Islands. You will also be in regular contact with our tour operators and other local organisations that we partner with.

We are looking for a candidate that can support us through the busy weekends this summer and help our team with the heavy foot traffic on the Cruise Ship visiting days. Weekend hours would be between 8am – 5pm (Sat, Sun, Mon) and visiting cruise ship days would be 10am – 2pm.

Key Requirements for this Position:

- Living local
- Outgoing personality
- Organised, responsible, with an attention to detail and able to work unsupervised.
- Honest, reliable, ability to multitask
- Knowledge of the local area would be a definite advantage.
- Good computer skills – typing, printing, and answering emails
- Experience behind till and cash-ups is a bonus!
- Flexibility regarding working hours, and OK with working Saturdays and Sundays (we are open 7 days a week)

Please send your CV & cover letter to [email protected], pop in, or message us directly here. We look forward to hearing from you!

11/10/2024

We have 8 wonderful new E-Bikes and the best looking helmets you can imagine .... between Wood2Water and outselves.

There is so much more to Russell than out wonderful little town - Tapeka, Long Beach (no debate - it is NZ's best beach), and cycling out to the vineyards (and cycling back with care)

09/10/2024

Very cool new E-Bikes through the Russell Booking and Information Centre and Wood2Water.

09/10/2024

Here are those wonderful E-Bikes having just been put together at the shop of great NZ Cyclist Gordon "The People's Champion McCauley."

He is bringing the bikes to Russell on Friday afternoon.

Please come and try them out and please tell your friends and guests that they are great for getting to the Russell beaches and Bay of Islands vineyards.

09/10/2024

Our e-bikes are HERE! 8 x brand NEW e-bikes available starting this Saturday down at Wood2water. We are thrilled to announce we have partnered with Sinch Bikes for the summer season. Have a ride through the Russell historic town, along the waterfront, or go to Long Beach and add a swim. Having a battery powered bike allows you to navigate the surrounding hills with ease, plus have a great adventure.

Rental Rates
1 hr $35
2 hr $60
Half Day $80
Full Day $100

Sizes available:
2 x Large MODE 2 (Rider Height 175 - 185cm)
6 x Small/Medium JAUNT EZ2 (Rider Height 154 - 175cm)

Book with our team at 09 403 7073 or [email protected].

Look forward to seeing you out there!