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.
May 26th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Whitianga I've been staying in the little town of Whitianga (pronounced with a soft 'f', it's a little bit bigger than Kaikoura) for about a week and a half now, on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. I ... 11 photos[full story]
January 10th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Whitianga Despues de Boxing day fuimos a Tauranga donde subimos al monte Maunganui. De alli nos fuimos al lugar donde Russ habia alquilado la casita de veraneo (bach): Whangamata una playa en la peninsula de C ... 22 photos[full story]
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