Akaroa Lighthouse
Akaroa, New Zealand
Did you know?
- Type
- Town in the South Island, New Zealand
People also ask
Is Akaroa French or Māori?
French Influence in Akaroa The French settlers left a lasting impact on the small town of Akaroa. While the town's name, “Akaroa,” comes from the Māori language, meaning “Long Harbour,” many of its streets, buildings, and even local businesses still bear traces of its French history.
What is the little French town near Christchurch?
Akaroa is a small but beautiful town South-East of Christchurch, which was historically settled by the French.
Where did the French settle in New Zealand?
The French were among the earlier European settlers in New Zealand, and established a colony at Akaroa in the South Island. Captain Jean-François-Marie de Surville is the first known Frenchman to have visited New Zealand, in 1769, and by the 1830s, French whalers were operating off the Banks Peninsula.