Russell, New Zealand is a small town located in the Bay of Islands on the North Island. It is the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand, and was founded in 1840 by the Reverend William Yate. The town was originally named Kororareka, or “the place of sweet penguins”, by the local Maori people.
Today, Russell is a popular tourist destination, with its beautiful beaches and stunning views of the Bay of Islands. It is also home to a number of historic sites, including the first church built in New Zealand, St. Paul’s Church, which was built in 1843. The town is also home to Flagstaff Hill, which was the site of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, an agreement between the British Crown and the Maori people that established New Zealand as a British colony.
The town of Russell is also home to the historic Pompallier Mission, which was founded by French Catholic missionaries in 1842. The mission was the first printing press in New Zealand, and is now a museum. Russell is also home to a number of other historic sites, including the first bank in New Zealand, the Bank of New Zealand, which opened its doors in 1844.
The town of Russell is also home to a number of restaurants and cafes, as well as a number of art galleries and boutique stores. The town is also home to a number of festivals and events, including the annual Russell Jazz Festival, the Russell Beer Festival, and the Russell Arts Festival.
In summary, Russell is a small town located in the Bay of Islands on the North Island of New Zealand. It is the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand, and is home to a number of historic sites, including St. Paul’s Church, Flagstaff Hill, and the Pompallier Mission. It is also home to a number of restaurants, cafes, art galleries, and boutique stores, and hosts a number of festivals and events throughout the year.
Experience Russell with unforgettable activities by our partner GetYourGuide. The offer is also ideal as a special gift idea for family and friends who are planning to visit Russell. Cancellations are possible up to 24h before the start of the activity (unless otherwise stated in the activity description), with a full refund of the booking price.
The climate in Russell in New Zealand is mild and temperate, with warm summers and cool winters. In summer, temperatures typically range from 18-29°C, while in winter they range from 8-17°C. Spring and autumn are generally mild, with temperatures ranging from 12-20°C. The area receives an average of 805mm of rainfall per year, with the highest rainfall typically occurring in winter and the lowest in summer. The area also experiences high levels of humidity throughout the year.
Our weather forecast for Russell helps plan your stay according to the weather. For sunny days, pack light and breathable clothes, swimwear, and sunscreen. For winter weather, it's recommended to bring warm clothes, gloves, a hat, sturdy footwear, and a raincoat.
| Date | Icon | Temperature | Wind speed/gusts | Cloudiness/Visibility | Air humidity/pressure | Sunrise/Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct. 13th 2026 Oct. 13th 2026 | max: 21.7 °C min: 13.8 °C |
16.6 m/s 28.1 m/s |
49.8 % 24.1 m |
80.8 % 1,022 hPa |
06:44:08 19:36:18 |
|
| Oct. 14th 2026 Oct. 14th 2026 | max: 20.4 °C min: 14.6 °C |
22.5 m/s 45.9 m/s |
60.3 % 24.1 m |
83.9 % 1,018 hPa |
06:42:49 19:37:09 |
|
| Oct. 15th 2026 Oct. 15th 2026 | max: 16.6 °C min: 11.9 °C |
27.1 m/s 62.6 m/s |
71.6 % 20.7 m |
80.9 % 1,011 hPa |
06:41:30 19:38:00 |
|
| Oct. 16th 2026 Oct. 16th 2026 | max: 15.9 °C min: 10 °C |
27.2 m/s 63.0 m/s |
30.8 % 24.1 m |
67.4 % 1,015 hPa |
06:40:11 19:38:51 |
|
| Oct. 17th 2026 Oct. 17th 2026 | max: 15.6 °C min: 7.4 °C |
18.0 m/s 47.9 m/s |
22.0 % 24.1 m |
62.5 % 1,026 hPa |
06:38:54 19:39:43 |
|
| Oct. 18th 2026 Oct. 18th 2026 | max: 17.0 °C min: 9.2 °C |
12.0 m/s 23.4 m/s |
17.8 % 24.1 m |
68.3 % 1,029 hPa |
06:37:37 19:40:35 |
|
| Oct. 19th 2026 Oct. 19th 2026 | max: 18.0 °C min: 8.5 °C |
10.9 m/s 18.0 m/s |
37.3 % 24.1 m |
73.9 % 1,029 hPa |
06:36:21 19:41:28 |
|
| Oct. 20th 2026 Oct. 20th 2026 | max: 17.7 °C min: 9.1 °C |
16.0 m/s 19.9 m/s |
57.5 % 24.1 m |
75.9 % 1,028 hPa |
06:35:06 19:42:21 |
|
| Oct. 21st 2026 Oct. 21st 2026 | max: 18.2 °C min: 9.7 °C |
18.7 m/s 25.2 m/s |
53.9 % 24.1 m |
76.8 % 1,027 hPa |
06:33:52 19:43:14 |
|
| Oct. 22nd 2026 Oct. 22nd 2026 | max: 18.6 °C min: 10.1 °C |
17.3 m/s 24.6 m/s |
61.2 % 24.1 m |
76.0 % 1,026 hPa |
06:32:39 19:44:08 |
|
| Oct. 23rd 2026 Oct. 23rd 2026 | max: 19.1 °C min: 10.2 °C |
19.7 m/s 35.9 m/s |
53.3 % 24.1 m |
76.5 % 1,025 hPa |
06:31:26 19:45:02 |
|
| Oct. 24th 2026 Oct. 24th 2026 | max: 18.5 °C min: 11.6 °C |
13.1 m/s 41.3 m/s |
55.8 % 24.1 m |
78.0 % 1,025 hPa |
06:30:15 19:45:56 |
|
| Oct. 25th 2026 Oct. 25th 2026 | max: 20.1 °C min: 9.6 °C |
12.8 m/s 25.2 m/s |
35.8 % 24.1 m |
77.5 % 1,026 hPa |
06:29:05 19:46:51 |
|
| Oct. 26th 2026 Oct. 26th 2026 | max: 21.8 °C min: 12.4 °C |
16.2 m/s 40.2 m/s |
57.0 % 24.1 m |
81.9 % 1,024 hPa |
06:27:55 19:47:46 |
Would you like to travel to Russell on a cruise ship or would you just like to know when a certain ship will dock there? Here you will find an overview of the cruise ships that will be calling at the port of Russell.
| Date | Ship | Passaengers (min - max) | Arrival | Departure | Details |
|---|
| Port | Distance |
|---|---|
| Waitangi in New Zealand | 3,99 km |
| Bay of Islands in New Zealand | 9,48 km |
| Whangarei in New Zealand | 54,59 km |
| Auckland in New Zealand | 185,54 km |
| Waiheke Island in New Zealand | 189,75 km |
| Coromandel in New Zealand | 207,59 km |
