MAP of RUSSELL HOW to GET to RUSSELL
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		RUSSELL, or KORORAREKA as it was known in the early nineteenth century,    offered fresh food, water and the safest anchorage in the bay, to sailing ships.    Although never planned as a European settlement,    commerce was well established by the late 1830s.    Rum and women were a top priority for visiting sailors.    Frequent brawls, murder, abduction and lack of law enforcement    earned RUSSELL the reputation of being "The hell hole of the South Pacific."    In 1840, KORORAREKA had hopes of becoming New Zealand's first capital,    but by British decree, OKAITO was selected.     Interestingly, at this time, Okaito was called Russell.    A year later, the capital moved to AUCKLAND.    An 1844 official note declared that "Kororareka be henceforth included    within the township of Russell and be officially designated by the said name of Russell".    The town's Victorian atmosphere has been carefully preserved,    with a number of historic buildings dotted around the township.    Two of New Zealand's oldest surviving buildings,     POMPALLIER HOUSE and CHRIST'S CHURCH (1836), can be found in Russell.    The buildings surivived the sacking of Russell in 1845,    thanks to the protection of the Maori chief Hone Heke.