The jetty near the Akaroa settlement.br/br/Akaroa is a small town on Banks Peninsula in the Canterbury region, 84 kilometres by road from Christchurch. Situated within a harbour of the same name, the name Akaroa is Kāi Tahu Māori for 'Long Harbour'.br/br/Akaroa township has strong french origins and is set on a sheltered harbour and is overlooked and surrounded by the remnants of a miocene volcano. A popular resort town with a local population of 650, the temporary population in summer may climb as high as 15,000 including; cruise ship passengers, international and local holiday-makers.