Boating New Zealand Boat Reviews
Reviews
Boating New Zealand News
News
Boating New Zealand Sports
Sport
Boating New Zealand Lifestyle
Lifestyle
Home2022December 2022Meet the poor knights

Meet the poor knights

Bookmark post
Bookmarked
Bookmark post
Bookmarked

The Poor Knights Islands, Tawhiti Rahi, 23 kilometres east of Tutukaka, are steeped in history, rich in scenic beauty, and make an idyllic anchorage in crystal-clear waters.

Geologists believe these beautiful islands were formed by a massive volcano ten million years ago. The incredible rock formations, caves and outlying peaks certainly support this belief.

Many boaties, after a stopover at Tutukaka on their way to the Bay of Islands and Whangaroa, tend to give the Poor Knights a miss. They seem to waive the 23 kilometres’ extra easting. A pity, because even an overnight visit is an unforgettable experience.

- Advertisement -

James Cook had a good look at these islands when charting the North Island in 1769. He found a well-established Maori pa there, inhabited by about 400 Ngati Wai. Cook is said to have given them some breeding pigs, which were accepted with much celebration and gratitude.

Rikoriko Cave is alive with fish.

Pigs were still scarce in Maoridom many years later, so when Hokianga’s Nga Puhi hapu Te Hikutu heard of the island Ngati Wai’s pigfall, they paddled 320 kilometres around North Cape to ask the chief if he would trade with them for some. He refused and sent them all home, although they did take a breather at Whangaroa.

It took Te Hikutu 12 years to plot their utu (revenge), but upon learning all the islands’ menfolk were off raiding with Hongi Hika, they finally went back in 1823 in three large canoes. Catching the unsuspecting islanders by surprise, a massacre ensued, with many Ngati Wai, seeking to avoid slavery, leaping from the high cliffs to their deaths.

Of the survivors, some were eaten, and the rest bundled off as slaves. Only around 10 Ngati Wai, who had hidden in secret caves, were left alive to tell the tale to their menfolk when they returned. The islands were subsequently declared tapu and abandoned.

When cruising around the biggest island, Tawhiti Rahi, you can still see the perfectly preserved pa site as a lush green sloping strip.

A reclining knight
The Poor Knights group feature spectacular cliffs, caves, rock stacks and islands.

THANKS JACQUES COUSTEAU

World-famous international explorer and the inventor of modern scuba diving gear, Jacques Cousteau, spent many weeks at Tawhiti Rahi, marvelling at its clear water and studying its many thousands of fish. Around 125 species of fish live there but many had become endangered by recreational fishing. Fittingly, professional divers like Wade Doak and Kelly Tarlton were later instrumental in turning the Poor Knights Islands into a marine reserve in 1981, so that scuba sport divers and snorkellers could enjoy this marine wonderland.

Jacques moored his expedition ship Calypso during his stay and the main anchorage was named after him. In the anchorage you can easily see the bottom, 12 metres or more below, making it ideal for divers – these waters are regarded as hosting some of the 10 best dive spots in the world.

But paddle-boarders and kayakers can also enjoy themselves, launching from yachts, gin palaces or fizz boats. Or you can just potter around the cliffs in your tender. In addition, there are regular cruises from Tutukaka taking aboard divers and tourists for day-trips around the islands.

Superb anchorages in sheltered waters abound

SEA-CAVES AND TOWERING CLIFFS

Volcanic strata, towering cliffs, and caves – including the world’s largest sea-cave, Rikoriko Cave – can be enjoyed on any leisurely excursion around the coastline. And while the many lesser caves and holes in the rock faces around the islands make compelling viewing, Rikoriko is simply enormous –130 metres wide and extending 80 metres into the cliff with its ceiling 35 metres above the water and the cave extending up to 26 metres below the surface.

A Japanese submarine supposedly hid there for a week or more during World War Two to make running repairs. The truth is hard to validate – the matter was classified – but you can certainly fit very large vessels in there, including the biggest tourist vessel from Tutukaka.

Very large launches and yachts have anchored inside Rikiriko Cave, swinging gently with thousands of untouchable fish swimming under their keels. Diving inside the cave is a unique experience.

Captain James Cook certainly started something when he introduced pigs to the Ngati Wai. Eventually those pigs became a serious problem, destroying the islands’ natural forest and preying on native wildlife, including the now rare Buller’s shearwater, which was decimated. As part of reclaiming the islands as a marine reserve, the pigs were removed, which has allowed the wildlife to thrive, including the prehistoric Tuatara.

Charter boats from Tutukaka bring divers and sightseers to the islands.
On the northern side of Tawhiti Rahi the ancient Ngati Wai pa site is well-preserved.

No one can explain for sure why the islands of Tawiti Rahi (the big island) and Aorangi (the smaller island), came to be called ‘The Poor Knights’, but from about four kilometres out the two islands seen together do sort of resemble the figure of a recumbent man. Perhaps a knight?

Who knows? What we do know is that a certain famous navigator had a soft spot for a special pudding dish involving toasted rolls topped with egg. Believe it or not, in the 1700s this dish was called The Poor Knights. Maybe Cook had enjoyed his favourite dish for breakfast the day he first explored the islands?

And while you can no longer catch a fresh fish for your breakfast, why not dine out on an interesting, exciting and uniquely memorable stop-over instead? BNZ

SHARE:

Related Articles

Previous article
Next article

Comments

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand. Subscribe to view comments and join the conversation. Choose your plan →

This conversation is moderated by Boating New Zealand.

Boating New Zealand
Boating New Zealandhttps://www.boatingnz.co.nz
Boating NZ is New Zealand’s premier marine title devoted to putting its readers behind the wheel of the latest trailerboats, yachts and launches to hit the market. It inspires with practical content and cruising adventures, leads the fleet with its racing coverage and is on the pulse of the latest maritime news and innovation.

More from Boating New Zealand

Bay of Islands Sailing Week 20...

Renowned as "the best big-boat regatta in NZ," the Bay of Islands Sailing W...

World Sailing Approves Urgent ...

In a move to reinforce safety standards for offshore sailing, World Sailing...

Japanese Minesweeper Sinks Aft...

A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) minesweeper has capsized and...

Vendèe Globe Fleet Update: Dal...

Pre-race favourite Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prevoyance) is living up to ...

Superman Wins! It All Came Dow...

The annual Bridge2Bridge ski race on the Waikato River delivers pure adrena...

Rising Star Leo Takahashi Join...

The Black Foils, New Zealand’s cutting-edge SailGP team, has confirmed that...

Follow Us

Weekly Newsletter

Stay up to date with the latest developments shaping New Zealand's Boating world.

Social Media

Follow us on social media to stay in the loop with the latest trends and news shaping New Zealand's boating scene!

Events Worth Adding to Your Calendar

Have an event you'd like to list on Boating New Zealand. Contact us with the details.

Catch all the action of the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup, happening from 22 Aug to 27 Oct 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Follow along with excitement at Boating New Zealand.

FISHING

Extreme Boats Fishing Tournament, 29 & 30 Nov 2024 in Whitianga

Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, 25 - 27 Oct 2025 TBC in Te Anau Manapouri

REGATTAS

NZ Match Racing Championships, 14 - 17 Nov 2024 in Auckland

Beneteau Owners Rally, 23 Nov 2024, Auckland to Kawau

Sir Peter Blake Torbay Regatta, 30 Nov - 1 Dec 2024 at Torbay Sailing Club

Rolex Sydney to Hobart, 26 Dec 2024 starts in Sydney, Australia

New Zealand Sail Grand Prix, 18 & 19 Jan 2025 in Auckland

Bay of Islands Sailing Week, 21 - 24 Jan 2025 at Bay of Islands

NZ Millenium Cup, 1 - 4 Feb 2025 at Waitemata Harbour

Toyota Youth International Match Racing Cup, 26 Feb - 4 Mar 2025 in Auckland

PIC Insurance Brokers Coastal Classic, 24 Oct 2025 TBC from Auckland to Russell

JET BOAT RACING

UIM World Jetsprint Championships, 25 Jan -2 Feb 2025 at Wanaka (25 & 26 Jan) and Wanganui (1 & 2 Feb)

2024 Golden Homes NZ Jet Boat Marathon, 2025 dates TBC on Southland Rivers (Oreti, Waiau and Mataura)

National Jet Boat Rally 2024, 2025 date TBC at Oliver Road, Bendigo (near Cromwell)

WATERSPORTS

Yamaha Rollo's Marine Bridge 2 Bridge, 8 - 10 Nov 2024 Staged on the Waikato River between Cambridge & Taupiri, based in Hamilton, New Zealand

NON-MOTORISED SPORT

Waka Ama - 2025 National Sprint Championships, 12 - 18 Jan 2025 at Lake Karapiro, Cambridge

Waka Ama - 2025 Secondary School Nationals, 24 - 28 Mar 2025 at Lake Tikitapu, Rotorua

COMMUNITY

NZ Retro Boats Lake Tarawera Gathering, 16 Nov 2024 at Hot Water Beach, Lake Tarawera, Rotorua

Bay of Islands Cruiser's Festival, 20 - 23 Nov 2024 at Bay of Islands Marina, Opua

The New Zealand Sailing Trust 5 Day Sail, 13 - 17 Jan 2025 starting in Auckland

Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 March 2025 at Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 at Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland

Whangārei Maritime Festival, TBC Oct 2025 at the Whangārei Town Basin

HOT OFF THE PRESS

Bay of Islands Sailing Week 2025: New Zealand’s Premier Big-Boat Regatta

Renowned as "the best big-boat regatta in NZ," the Bay of Islands Sailing Week returns from January ...

World Sailing Approves Urgent Changes to Storm Sail Design Requirements

In a move to reinforce safety standards for offshore sailing, World Sailing has approved changes to ...

Japanese Minesweeper Sinks After Fire Off Southwestern Coast, One Crewman Missing

A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) minesweeper has capsized and sunk following a fire th...

Vendèe Globe Fleet Update: Dalin leads to Cape Finisterre and the first ‘monster under the bed’

Pre-race favourite Charlie Dalin (MACIF Santé Prevoyance) is living up to his billing as he leads t...

Superman Wins! It All Came Down To Team Work and Absolute Sheer Determination.

The annual Bridge2Bridge ski race on the Waikato River delivers pure adrenaline, with competitors ra...

International Boat Shows

COMING EVENTS

METSTRADE 19 - 21 Nov 2024 to be held at the Rai, Amsterdam

Antigua Charter Yacht Show 4 - 9 Dec 2024 to be held at the Nelson's Dockyard UNESCO World Heritage Site, Antigua

Boot Düsseldorf 18 - 26 Jan 2025 to be held in Düsseldorf, Germany

New York Boat Show, 22 - 26 Jan 2025 to be held at the Javits Center, New York

Bahamas Charter Yacht Show, 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 to be held at Nassau, Bahamas

Houston Boat Show, 29 Jan - 2 Feb 2025 to be held at the NRG Center, Houston, Texas

Dubai International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Feb 2025 to be held at the Dubai Harbour

Miami International Boat Show, 12 - 16 Feb 2025 to be held in Miami

Auckland Boat Show, 6 - 9 Mar 2025 to be held at the Viaduct Events Centre and Jellicoe Harbour, Auckland

Palm Beach International Boat Show, 19 - 23 Mar 2025 to be held along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach

International Multihull Show, 23 - 27 Apr 2025 to be held in Terre-plein Ouest du port La Grande-Motte (34), France

Palma International Boat Show, 30 Apr - 3 May 2025 to be held at the Superyacht Village, Palma, Spain

Barcaly's Jersey Boat Show, 3 - 5 May 2025 to be held in the Channel Islands

South Coast & Green Tech Boat Show, 9 - 11 May 2025 to be held in Ocean Village Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The British Motor Yacht Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 to be held at the Swanwick Marina, Southampton, Hampshire

The Hutchwilco New Zealand Boat Show, 15 - 18 May 2025 at Auckland Showgrounds, Auckland

Sanctuary Cove International Boat show, 22 - 25 May 2025 to be held in Sanctuary Cove, Queensland

Sydney International Boat show, 31 July - 3 Aug 2025 to be held at ICC Sydney & Cockle Bay, Darling Harbour

Hiswa Te Water, 3 - 7 Nov 2025 to be held in Bataviahaven Lelystad, The Netherlands

Southampton International Boat Show, 19 - 28 Sep 2025 to be held in Southampton, UK

International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX), 7 - 9 Oct 2025 to be held in Tampa, Florida

Annapolis Sail Boat Show, 9 - 13 Oct 2025 to be held at City Dock, Annapolis, Maryland

Newport International Boat Show, 20 - 23 Nov 2025 to be held in Newport, Rhode Island

Cannes Yachting Festival, 9 - 14 Sep 2025 at Cannes – Vieux Port & Port Canto

Genoa Boat Show, 18 - 23 Sep 2025 to be held in Genoa, Italy

Melbourne International Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held at New Quay Promenade Harbour Esplanade Seven Marinas

Biograd Boat Show, Oct 2025, TBC to be held in the City of Biograd, Croatia

Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show 29 Oct – 2 Nov 2025 to be held at several locations in Fort Lauderdale

Monaco Yacht Show, 24 - 27 Sep 2025 on Monacco

BOATS FOR SALE