Custom House (former Russell Police Station)

Custom House (former Russell Police Station)

The old Custom House (former Russell Police Station) building on the waterfront is attracting much interest, so it’s timely to tell its story. Thanks to original curator Marie King, we can share a bit more about our other iconic waterfront property. The architect was...
Classic boats, Coastal Classic

Classic boats, Coastal Classic

This weekend sees the 40th Coastal Classic Race arrive in Kororāreka Russell, but the bay has hosted many regattas in the past. Early written records of the Bay of Islands describe waka and longboats racing, enjoying and testing each other’s abilities. The first...
Either a Phoenix or a Fixture

Either a Phoenix or a Fixture

Russell Lights 2 July 2014, Updated 2022 Celebrations and festivals in Russell have a chequer board past – here one minute and gone the next. Our clubs are a bit the same – overflowing with members one year, struggling to pay the bills the next. Maybe...
Fullers Launch Offices

Fullers Launch Offices

Russell Lights – Vol 7 Issue 21 – Updated Alfred Ernest Fuller and his wife Maud Amy (nee Baker) began a small maritime cartage business, later expanding to excursion and game fishing launches and car ferries. By 1965 under sons, Norman and Neville, there...
The Search for the Whangamumu Whaling Film

The Search for the Whangamumu Whaling Film

Sunday 11 September Russell Boat Club Matauwhi Bay, Russell 4.00 pm Entrance by Koha for preservation of Russell Kororāreka’s whaling history. On Sunday 11 September, Lindsay Alexander, a published whaling historian,  will tell the story of the Whangamumu...
Dry July and Temperance

Dry July and Temperance

Many people will be enjoying a tipple again after “Dry July”, an increasingly popular fundraising event organised to support people with Prostate Cancer. And with the growing popularity of non-alcoholic beer and cocktails, more and more people are reducing their...