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 13th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Canterbury » Christchurch Hello
I know I don't update my blog as often as everyone wants and for that I'm sorry. But anyway, I've just been in Christchurch working and been living in my flat and have been struggling to save ... [full story]
May 13th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch We left Kaikoura on Sunday morning to drive down to Christchurch in the Canterbury Region of South Island. We stopped on the way at the country town of with it's spectacular "Cathedrals" (mud formati ... 4 photos[full story]
May 10th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura We had a great day in - this is one of our favourite places on earth - pacific ocean, snow-capped mountains, beaches, cliffs, rockpools, abundant seafood, resident seal colony etc. We spent the morn ... 10 photos[full story]
May 9th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura Today we left Paekakariki very early (in the dark!) and drove to Wellington to catch the early ferry across to where we saw several groups of dolphins and some spectacular scenery. This was a pivota ... 7 photos[full story]
May 13th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Queenstown Nicky: Hi all!! So this will be our last blog from NZ. We have a great time the last week exploring the bottom of the south island, although it has got so cold!! It is not nice to hear that England is ... 5 photos[full story]
May 13th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Nelson Region » Nelson
After we found the wonderful beaches at Farewell Spit and drove back via the mountains of Abel Tasman, we got to do some kayaking again! This time we paddeled a full day, unguided around the Abel Ta ... 4 photos[full story]
May 8th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Nelson Region » Nelson 21/01/08
We were on the 8am bus to the ferry port but without Alan by my side it felt strange. We had been like brothers over the past few weeks. I was still in good company though and was so lookin ... 25 photos[full story]
May 11th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Motueka
Finally we are hitting the west coast! Because of the bad weather we drove a lot and we have time to spare in the North !
From Queenstown we went to Lake Hawea and lake Wanaka to spend the night ... 22 photos[full story]
May 7th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Queenstown
Our flight from the Cook islands was at 7am, so we had to be up pretty early. Luckily we'd managed to get hold of the airport transfer company the night before after days of trying and had at last ... 19 photos[full story]
May 11th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch Hi everyone,
We are currently in the North Isand of New Zealand (Lake Taupo) and have spent the last 3 weeks travelling the south island in a Max and Paddy style campervan (which we upgraded so we ... 39 photos[full story]
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