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Wellington Region 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 Feral Mike
December 16th 2009

CYCLE TOUR - END OF THE ROAD, FOR NOW Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington Region » Wellington

The Poet

The Former Mike Brockie Arrives in Wellington You stood in the newsroom like a messenger from a sunnier land. Between a climb on a gravel road in the King Country and a tail-wind out of Lower Hutt you’d pedalled away a few decades of worry. All you carried - the sun lightly on your back, a mind clean and clear as a back-country moon. You were a modern who’d made the epic journey - two and half thousand kilometres with only yourself for company. The news you brought to us was you - sun-filled, travelling at your own speed. You were [View Full Entry]

Inside one of the Tunnels on the Rimutaka Rail Trail

By Feral Mike
December 12th 2009

CYCLE TOUR - LONELINESS & ENDORPHIN ADDICTION Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington Region » Featherston

Hardly a Breath of Wind Down in the Valley

Nor westerly winds have been buffeting me for days - providing me with riding that has been at times exciting, frightening and simply pleasant. From Palmerston North I took something called the Pahiatua Track, which in fact is not a track but a perfectly good, steep but sealed road . On a high ridge, wind generators spun swiftly and a cold blast sent a chill through me and pushed the bike off its stand. Later the same day, I was forced to push THE BEAST OF BURDEN in places, for fear of being shunted off the road. At other times, the [View Full Entry]

By JuliaAndDan
September 23rd 2009

We ♥ Wellington Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington Region » Porirua

Wellington

It’s been a while since we last did a blog. We haven’t got much to write about, however we though we would show you some of the eyesores around Wellington… We’re still working hard, saving the pennies for our next big adventures…Julia is still working as a nanny, enjoying the playgrounds and beaches during the weeks, and exploring Wellington at the weekends. Dan on the other hand has become a sales super star with Telecom and is earning heaps of commission. He joins Julia and the boys on his days off for picnics and walks around the clifftops. Other news f [View Full Entry]

By GregBish
September 16th 2009

Days 5 and 6 Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington Region

Seaside!

Day 5 - Patea to Palmerston North 140km Despite being a relatively straight forward cycle, quite flat and a decent length, it proved to be one of the most challenging days so far. It seemed to take forever, with the route very uninteresting. The previous day we had had the backdrop of the spectacular Mount Egmont whereas day fives route consisted mostly of driving past farm after farm. As the day went on we seemed to be edging towards our destination very slowly, and the final hours approach to Palmerston was not helped by the wind and rain! We arrived [View Full Entry]

By John Miranda
July 30th 2009

The Voice of the Beehive Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington Region

Wellington

After a consideration of the alternatives, we bought an Inter City bus pass for the North Island and headed to Waitomo. It was a very different experience to the Greyhound services in Australia and it was like being looked after by a long lost Uncle - with a full explanation of the rules of the vehicle and a fascinating description of how to use a service station. Whilst I am sure there are those who would disagree, there is no reason to visit Waitomo apart from the caves. There are a host of caving options, ranging from the high adrenalin black [View Full Entry]

By maddoctd
June 23rd 2009

Not gone Yet..... Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington Region

Can't beat it

Hey folks Just a quick note to say g'day and to get this thing kicked off. Hitting the road in a few days, going to be a bit of a culture shock I think. After 20 days in Wellington I'm fighting off a cold (Just a cold, I swear it's just a cold) and at times sub zero temperatures and will be heading to the rather more humid environment of Thailand and Bangkok. The weather has been somewhat 'changeable' in Wellington with more rain that in the last two years in Melbourne falling in the last couple of weeks, it proved [View Full Entry]

By JessRK
May 23rd 2009

Windy Welly Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington Region » Wellington

last day grape picking!

Hi all! So, we finally left the south island only to arrive to sweet, but windy, wellington. It's a wonderful city and we've been here for 1.5 weeks lookin' for work (hard to find), but still enjoying ourselves. We were able to see Grada last week (yay!) and are also gettin' to some Irish music... awesome. Pam is here and it's just a really nice place. Enjoy the pics and talk soon :) smiles! Jess [View Full Entry]

By bryanandlouise
March 5th 2009

CROSSING TO NORTH ISLAND Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington Region » Wellington

Sunset at the DOC site

We decided to move on from Nelson on Saturday as it was raining all day and there was little prospect of an improvement for a few days. We had a fairly hairy drive along Queen Charlotte Drive, with Lys clinging tightly to her arms rests, but we arrived in one piece and saw some beautiful views of the Sound on the way. We stayed at the ferry port of Picton that night and headed south for Blenheim because Lys had found out about some Stock Car Racing that afternoon. It was the NZ national championships. The sun was baking hot, as [View Full Entry]

By Julzie
February 14th 2009

the beginning Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington Region » Wellington

costume for Mardi Gras

Well its 2 sleeps till I leave and I thought I would start by posting our costumes for Mardi Gras and a brief itinerary :) Feb 16-18 - Buenos Aires Feb 18-20 - Iguasso Falls, Argentina Feb 20-25 - Rio de Janeiro - MARDI GRAS Feb 25-27 - Ushuaia Feb 27 - Mar 10 - Antarctica Mar 10-21 - Cuzco, Macchu Picchu - Inc a ruins, Lake Titicaca Mar 21-30 - Galapagos Islands Mar 31 - April 6 - Amazon April 7 - Santiago - dep for NZ April 9 - Arr Akl then HOME [View Full Entry]

By JTandJo
February 11th 2009

Bottom of the North Island Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington Region

Traditional Kiwi experience

You will be pleased to know that the weather in Britain has made the news in New Zealand!! As you are all probably stuck at home in need of entertainment, we felt duty bound to provide you with another blog. Highlights of the last couple of weeks include our walk out to Cape Kidnappers. I know what you are thinking, what a cool name. Well it appears that when Captain Cook was heading down the east coast of the North Island of NZ he started to run out of names of rich British dignitaries and started to have to use his [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington Region