Lookout at the bank peninsula of Akaroa
Lookout at the bank peninsula of Akaroa

Akaroa is a small town on the Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand, situated within a harbor of the same name.

The name Akaroa is Kāi Tahu Māori for "Long Harbour", which would be spelled Whangaroa in standard Māori.

The area was also named Port Louis-Philippe by French settlers after the reigning French king Louis Philippe I.