Akaroais a small town onBanks Peninsulain theCanterburyregion of theSouth Islandof New Zealand, situated within aharbour of the same name. The name Akaroa isKāi TahuMāorifor "Long Harbour", which would be spelled "Whangaroa" in standard Māori.
It is set on sheltered harbour and is overlooked and surrounded by the remnants of amiocenevolcano.Akaroa is a popular resort town and in summer the temporary population can reach 15,000which places stress on the summer water supply, which is entirely dependent upon rainfall on the hills.