We had a fast sail from Rangihoua Bay south across bay of islands with just a small amount of the Genoa set and winds gusting up to 30 knots from the north west.  We had hoped to anchor in Waiwhapuku Bay in the passage between Moturua and Motukiekie Islands but as we came past the boat already there was rolling well in the swell, so we ducked into little Araawaroa Bay at the south end of the island instead.  Just in time: as we got the anchor down the heavens opened.  We shared the bay with two small motor boats overnight in nice calm waters and in the morning moved round to Waiwhapuku Bay, which was now beautifully calm.

Moturua is a nature reserve, part of Project Island Song.  Animals are not allowed and the Department of Conservation has worked to get rid of predators to allow the native birds to come back.  From the number and variety of birds we saw and heard as we followed the walking trail around the island it has been a success.

Calm after the rain had passed

Anchored in Waiwhapuku Bay

You know you are in New Zealand when the footpath looks like this....

...and the view looks like this.

This was the only bird that stayed still long enough to have its photo taken, a North Island Tomtit.

There were bees everywhere on the Tea Trees

This far north on North Island the vegetation is sub-tropical

The R Tucker Thompson is a regular sight taking tourists around Bay of Islands