Russell (pop. 762), in the Bay of Islands in the North Island of New Zealand, is the oldest European settlement in New Zealand. It was originally called Kororāreka. Whalers established it as a refitting base in the early 1800’s. In 1844, Kororāreka was renamed Russell. The name was chosen to honor Lord John Russell, the British secretary of state for the colonies. Maiki Hill rises to the north of the present town of Russell. The British set up a flagpole there. Māori, led by the chief Hōne Heke, cut down the flagpole on the hill four times during 1844 and 1845. Heke’s defiance of British rule led ultimately to war from 1845 to 1846.
