Okiato Area Guide
Okiato is a small settlement sitting opposite Opua and ten minutes drive from Russell at the southern point of the Bay of Islands.Primarily known as one end of the car ferry route that joins the east and west sides of the Bay, Okiato was the country's first capital back in 1840, before that honour moved to Auckland shortly afterwards.
The two places have taken different paths since then. Okiato is a small tourist spot, with some holiday accommodation and a well-known wine estate just to its north.