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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 Mandy Nath
December 25th 2009

Merry Christmas??? Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » New Plymouth

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“Oh the weather outside’s delightful, But a BBQ lunch sounds frightful, We’ve got no other place to go, Let it glow let it glo, let it glow!” Wishing you all a warm festive Christmas from sunny New Plymouth, hopefully the snow has melted enough for you all to see family and stagger back from the pub! I know we are behind with our blog updates and they will follow once we come out the other side of our Xmas hang over, but for now, here is what we got up to on our Christmas Eve and Christmas day…………. Having just bought [View Full Entry]

By Cassidy
October 14th 2009

WWOOFing and other such things... Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » New Plymouth

Let’s see…. Where did I leave off? Janelle and I spent two nights at that awesome hostel in Waitomo. On Saturday we walked the Waitomo Walkway. But don’t let the name mislead you- there is no “walkway” involved. It had been pouring the night before, and the trail was not much of one. It was the muddiest thing, and the path was hard to follow as some parts were under huge puddles of water and other parts were through cow pasture. It was beautiful, and totally worth it ((see pics on the fbook page)) but by the time we were done [View Full Entry]

By bullocan
September 29th 2009

Krith and Vin's Visit Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » New Plymouth

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Hello! It's been awhile but thats mainly because we haven't done any more exploring lately! But we did have Krithia and Melvin come and visit us so I thought I'd put the pictures up of that weekend. I also got a new tattoo! Its on my foot, of a pohutukawa flower. It's the New Zealand "Christmas Tree" because the flowers are red and the leaves are very dark green. The trees are beautiful especially when they are in bloom (which is right about now!) Not much else is new, but I would like to say Happy Birthday to my niece Bella [View Full Entry]

By bullocan
July 14th 2009

The past little while... Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » New Plymouth

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Hello! Haven't written in awhile! Things here have been really good. NOt working at the cafe anymore has allowed Mark and I to spend a lot more time together! I've got a lot of pics to share with you from the past little while!!! We visited Mark's new nephew Carter and went snowboarding on Mt. Ruapehu!!! We did some painting for the bathroom upstairs...ummm I guess I will let the pictures tell the story cause I'm not too sure what is on there right now! As for work, I've been working at Mark's mom's shop the past two weeks, just one [View Full Entry]

By bullocan
June 4th 2009

Some of this and some of that... Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » New Plymouth

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Hello!!! Not sure about what these pics are that I am going to upload so I will let them tell their own story! Thanks for all the positive thoughts about finding a job! I have taken a BIG step and quit the cafe! It was tough cause I've never quit a job before...but I came here to spend time with Mark and we just don't get that quality time when I have to work every weekend! This week I have been at the Jewelry store Tues - Friday so that is good...actually between the two jobs I am working 11 days [View Full Entry]

By bullocan
April 21st 2009

the zoo! Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » New Plymouth

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Hi there!!!!! So Mark and I had our 9 month anni on Friday (17th) and we went out to this really incredible restaurant called Bella Vita (which I noticed due to the name!!!) And it was a really cute place, a little old house on the corner of the street! And we had the yummiest Italian food! I forgot to ask for my leftovers though :S grrrrr very silly of me! AND I forgot to take pics of us all dressed up! Shoot! But then the next day we got up and went to the zoo! It is just outside of [View Full Entry]

By Chocolateaddict
April 21st 2009

Big Trees, Big Rain, Big Caves and Big Mountain (Oooh Baby I Love Your Way…) Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » New Plymouth

Mount Egmont

Big Trees, Big Rain, Big Caves and Big Mountain (Oooh Baby I Love Your Way…) And so begins, our long journey south, on the west coast of North Island. We crossed over Hokianga Harbour on the car ferry at Rangiora on a very cold and blustery day and thought that we’d have to buy a whole new wardrobe apiece, However, the sun was still shining and we were cosy in our van. We passed through a forest which still have some kauri trees (HUGE trees which have virtually all been cut down a hundred years ago or so). When you drive [View Full Entry]

By bullocan
April 15th 2009

highlights Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » New Plymouth

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Hello! I hope everyone had a nice Easter!!! I had to work all weekend at the cafe!!! But I have the next two weekends off so that will be nice! :) I got to see the Bullocks! My brother brought his lap top and web cam to Easter dinner at my grandparents and set up a projector and screen and everything! Well minus the computer troubles we had (LONG story but basically we almost couldn't get my web cam to work!) I got to see everyone and hear their voices and it was just so so nice! Due to the computer [View Full Entry]

By bullocan
March 31st 2009

little update Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » New Plymouth

Well hello!!! So I worked at the Ocean Gem Gallery today....well lets start from the beginning! I got called by Liesja (my boss at OGG) on Saturday to see what days off I had at Snickerdoodles....I was already working at OGG Thursdays and so I also had Tuesday off and she needed someone to do stock take for her so of course I said yeeeah! I ended up giving away a 10-2 shift at the cafe because I otherwise wouldn't have had a day off until Saturday! So I did stock take today from 9am - 5:30pm. It was great actually....me [View Full Entry]

By bullocan
March 26th 2009

Overdue Update Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » New Plymouth

Hello everyone, Sorry I have not created an update sooner. As many of you know, I am one of many who are feeling the tragic loss of Carolyn and Jolene. I wanted to start this blog with sending all of my love back home to their family and friends. They are in my heart and in my prayers. It has been a busy few weeks and I have a couple of updates - sorry no picutres unfortunately because Kobi has chewed the charger cord to our lap top and I am currently borrowing a computer! I do have some beautiful pictures [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » New Plymouth