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NZ 2028

STOP #001

Gulf Harbour

Where Our New Zealand Story Began.

Auckland · North Island

Planned for 2028 — not yet underway

Expedition coin #001 · Planned candidate · not yet placed

Provisional area only. Weather, safety, access, local rules and permissions may change this stop. Physical coins depend on permission, safety and suitability; none has been placed yet.

Stop ArchivePlanned Journey

Our family story · Johnny's memories

Where Our New Zealand Story Began.

When we first moved to New Zealand, this was one of the first places we stayed. Zachary was just four years old. Years later, we're coming back to the same place — but this time we're leaving from here to travel around the country together.

— Johnny · remembering our arrival in New Zealand

From the place where our New Zealand life began, to a journey around the country we now call home.

Why this stop matters

Every journey has a beginning. For us, Gulf Harbour is where our New Zealand chapter began. We arrived here as a family, with Zachary just four years old. Coming back for this planned expedition connects that beginning with the memories we want to make together now.

2028 · The planned return

In 2028, the plan is to leave Gulf Harbour, explore the North and South Island coastlines, including Fiordland and Rakiura where safe and permitted, and return here. Not just back to a launch point — back to a place that is part of our family story. The route, departure and return remain weather, safety, access and permission dependent.

Why we plan to visit

Gulf Harbour is where our New Zealand chapter began. It is the planned starting and returning point for our 2028 journey around the country we now call home. Launch arrangements remain unconfirmed.

What we found

Placeholder — content will be added if we reach this stop during the planned 2028 expedition.

Historical context · Sources below

From Hobbs Bay to Gulf Harbour

This is a sourced historical outline, separate from Johnny's family memories. Māori history should be presented respectfully and, where possible, checked with mana whenua and local sources before publication. The peninsula-wide account below does not establish specific customary practices, iwi affiliations or access rights at Hobbs Bay; those details await local guidance.

  1. Before European farming

    A coastline with a longer story

    Local history account

    Local Whangaparāoa heritage accounts describe Māori occupation and seasonal fishing, hunting and gathering across the wider peninsula. Hobbs Bay sits within that wider coastal landscape. More specific traditions of this bay will be added only with reliable sources and appropriate local guidance.

    Source 1 ↗

  2. European farming era

    The Hobbs family and Hobbs Bay

    Local history account

    Local heritage accounts connect the Hobbs family with farming here and with the name Hobbs Bay. They describe the sale of family land in the early 1970s, preceding the area's transition towards the Gulf Harbour development.

    Source 2 ↗Source 1 ↗

  3. 12 August 1977

    A legal foundation for the boat harbour

    Historical record

    The Rodney County Council (Gulf Harbour) Vesting and Empowering Act 1977 received assent on this date. It vested specified land in the county and authorised reclamation and development for a boat harbour. The Act is a legal milestone, not a construction or opening date.

    Source 3 ↗

  4. 1980s

    Marina development and construction

    Historical record

    The marina developed during the 1980s. Gulf Harbour Marina's own history describes it as opening in the late 1980s; a precise construction start date is not established by the sources used here.

    Source 4 ↗Source 1 ↗

  5. March 1995 · reported milestone

    A grand opening — with a date to clarify

    Sources differ

    The local coastal trail account reports a grand opening in March 1995. The marina's own account instead says it opened in the late 1980s. These may describe different milestones, but that distinction has not been confirmed. We do not present 1995 as the marina's settled opening date.

    Source 1 ↗Source 4 ↗

  6. 14 November 1997

    Gulf Harbour's golfing chapter

    Historical record

    The Prime Minister's speech archive records the official opening of Gulf Harbour Golf and Country Club on 14 November 1997.

    Source 5 ↗

  7. 1998 · 2005 · 2006

    On the international sporting stage

    Historical record

    Gulf Harbour hosted the 1998 World Cup of Golf and the New Zealand Open in 2005 and 2006. European Tour records place the 2005 Open on 10–13 February and the 2006 Open on 30 November–3 December.

    Source 6 ↗Source 7 ↗Source 8 ↗

Sources & further reading

  1. Whangaparāoa Coastal Trail — Gulf Harbour Marina history ↗
  2. Business Whangaparāoa — Gulf Harbour Village history ↗
  3. NZ Legislation — Rodney County Council (Gulf Harbour) Vesting and Empowering Act 1977 ↗
  4. Gulf Harbour Marina — official marina history ↗
  5. Beehive — official opening of Gulf Harbour Golf and Country Club ↗
  6. European Tour — Gulf Harbour's World Cup and New Zealand Open history ↗
  7. European Tour — 2005 New Zealand Open tournament record ↗
  8. European Tour — 2006 New Zealand Open dates ↗

Things to see from the water

  • Research placeholder — coastal sights and respectful viewing opportunities to be confirmed.

Camping notes

Research placeholder — approved sites, access, permits, tides and safe landing options have not been confirmed. No camping rights are implied.

Fishing notes

Research placeholder — local rules, seasonal restrictions and suitability must be checked before any fishing.

Silver Fern episode

Episode placeholder · not yet filmed

Viewer photos

Visited this place or found the coin? Viewer photo sharing will open once the expedition begins.