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Russell Travel Blogs

Background: The Polynesian Maori reached New Zealand in about A.D. 800. In 1840, their chieftains entered into a compact with Britain, the Treaty of Waitangi, in which they ceded sovereignty to Queen Victoria while retaining territorial rights. In that same year, the British began the first organized colonial settlement. A series of land wars between 1843 and 1872 ended with the defeat of the native peoples. The British colony of New Zealand became an independent dominion in 1907 and supported the UK militarily in both World Wars. New Zealand's full participation in a number of defense alliances lapsed by the 1980s. In recent years, the government has sought to address longstanding Maori grievances.

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By CharMcF
November 27th 2009

Moving into Russell, Bay of Islands Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Russell

My New House

Hey, first I appologise for the awful wave at the end of the video, awful! Anyway, this is where I'm living for the next few months hopefully. It's a small town called Russell in the north of NZ, a few hundered km north of Auckland. Not got a massive population but once the summer hits there will be a big boom. I decided to take the job at the Thai restaurant, I feel like for the last few weeks all I have done is spend money and I reallised that I really needed to start making some money if I'm going [View Full Entry]

By Golden Years
November 8th 2009

Whaling in The Bay of Islands Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Russell

Russell

Russell in the Bay Of Islands is now a nice little town but at the turn of the 19th century it was a shore station for whalers. Whaling was a greasy, smelly and dangerous occupation and when members of the crew got to shore they liked to drink, fight, and generally let off steam so Russell, or Kororareka as it was known then, gained a reputation as the Hell-hole of the Pacific. Manganui lay further north. Captain Butler had run away to sea when he was 14, preferring a life at sea to following his reverend father's and grandfather's footsteps, and [View Full Entry]

By Feral Mike
November 5th 2009

CYCLE TOUR - THE COFFEE SAGA CONTINUES Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Russell

Trevor Scrub Cutter

The search for a real latte ended in failure. But the day was not ruined. By late afternoon I reached a stunning DoC campground at a place called Mimiwhangata. The last few kilometres were along a gravel road with a steep climb and final descent. Best Kept Secret Mimiwhangata has to be one of the best kept secrets. It's a beautiful, sheltered spot with bush and farmland behind it. The campsite is a five minute walk from the carpark, up, over and down a steep path. And the facilities are limited, just toilets and cold water. The main beach is [View Full Entry]

By Feral Mike
November 4th 2009

CYCLE TOUR - ONE MORE CUP OF COFFEE Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Russell

Pies but No Coffee

One more cup of coffee for the road One more cup of coffee 'fore I go To the valley below Bob Dylan It was a perfect morning and I was in the perfect mood to enjoy it. The sun was shining but the day was still cool, and with no overnight dew my tent was dry when I packed it up. I was fed and watered and the road lay before me - full of promise. What more could a person want? Coffee! Even before I'd reached the 100 kph sign on the outskirts of Russell the thought had flashed through [View Full Entry]

By on_the_road
October 13th 2009

New-Zealand : first we rest a bit Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Russell

The Sky Tower from Queen street

ca y est, apres cette semaine de dingue au States et un vol de 13h au dessus du pacifique, nous sommes finalement arrive en Nouvelle-Zelande...Pays longuement attendu, mais malheureusement l'acceuil de la meteo ne fut pas a la hauteur de nos attentes et la pluie nous attendait a la sortie de l'aeroport. Nous avons attendu en vain pendant trois jours que le soleil fasse sont apparition dans un petit camping proche de Auckland...mais une fois que la tente a commence a montrer des signes de faiblesse face a la pluie incessante et surtout le fait que celle-ci etant minuscule, nos sacs [View Full Entry]

By broondog
September 27th 2009

Day 8 - Auckland (Day 3) - Bay of Islands - 26th September 2009 Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Russell

Treaty House

Today, the banter started with the early rise. The last hour of last night was debating how early we’d leave. Uncle Donald wanted 0500 as apparently, unbeknown to me, he has a habit of waking about 0400 - even at weekends. Aunt Yvonne and Claire reckoned nearer 9, I opted for a general stance of the later the better. I surprised all being ready at 8am, and luckily the bus was rolling out north about half 8. The weather was heavy rain with no end in sight - albeit the forecast predicted clearing from the north. The drive up was in [View Full Entry]

By Laurene
September 8th 2009

Russell and one crazy night Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Russell

Boats

Was super lazy this morning. Weather got a bit cooler and cloudy. I finally got my butt in gear and headed down to the wharf and caught the little ferry over to Russell. It's about a 15 minute ferry ride and only costs $10 return. Russell isn't a very big place. It's the sight where a maori activist brought down the flag about times. There is another town on the island that was the first capital city of New Zealand. I walked around and stopped for some lunch and ate down by the sea front with a flock of seagulls (hehe) [View Full Entry]

By Mckinley4
August 15th 2009

Busy Busy Busy Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Russell

Craters of the moon

We have done so much and seen so much we are having a hard time keeping up with ourselves. Was unable to add text to photos as I ran out of time but will fill you in when I get back. And yes I can hear you all say how much you are looking forward to that. LOL wish you were here.xxxx [View Full Entry]

By Sandiz
May 26th 2009

Birthday celebrations still continue Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Russell

On the Ferry to Russell

This day was my actual birthday!!!!! We spent this day at Russell and Bland Bay. [View Full Entry]

By Shivers Timbers
April 10th 2009

Tour of the North Island - Bay of Islands Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Russell

Camper Van

April 9 - 14 - Bay of Islands and North of Auckland Wow, I can't believe I am a month behind on this entry! I don't know where the time goes.... Left Timaru late afternoon on Thurs. April 9th. Spent the night at the Airport Gateway Motel in an awesome 3 bedroom, 2 bath, full kitchen room. We wished we had arrived earlier to enjoy it as we knew the next 9 nights in a camper van were going to be tight quarters! We were taken by limo to the airport for our 7am flight to Auckland. It took until nearly [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Russell