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.
January 8th 2007Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Canterbury Having passed the morning watching playful dolphins frolicking in Le Bons Bay, we spend a couple of hours in Akaroa, the largest town on the Banks Peninsula and located at the end of a deep inlet that ... 34 photos[full story]
September 30th 2006Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Canterbury » Loburn We can recall what we did the first time we went out to Andy and Carolyn’s Okuku Farm, but from that moment it has felt like a home away from home. The farm is simple and functional; the l ... 5 photos[full story]
June 24th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Canterbury » Christchurch Our first visit to Christchurch! What a pretty city and less than 2 hours from Timaru! We left Timaru on Saturday after the boys' soccer and rugby games. We had a long stopover at Dunsandle Store f ... 17 photos[full story]
June 23rd 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Canterbury » Timaru All three kids are very involved in team sports. I know we have posted the blog of the cross country, but I wanted to also show you some team sports.
Basketball ended a few weeks ago for Graham, but ... 10 photos[full story]
June 13th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Canterbury » Timaru Fitness is quite important in New Zealand. Each of the schools - primary and secondary schools - have an annual cross country day event. Everyone in the school is expected to participate even if you ... 17 photos[full story]
June 5th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Canterbury » Timaru I wanted to share some pictures of the kids in their school uniforms and tell you a bit about their schools.
Highfield - ages 5-13 - School starts at 8:50 and ends at 2:50. Uniforms are blue sport ... 4 photos[full story]
June 2nd 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Canterbury » Christchurch Hi guys
Sorry there hasn't been much blog action lately but I have been working in an office in Christchurch for the last couple of months. I got to Christchurch in the second week of March and it ... [full story]
June 1st 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Canterbury » Timaru What a great weekend! Every weekend; a new adventure. I have some catching up to do on previous weekends but wanted to share the pictures from this past one first.
We went to Dunedin, a college tow ... 11 photos[full story]
May 27th 2008Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Canterbury » Timaru May 12, 2008
We're here, we're here! It looked like Iowa when we landed - flat with lots of farm land. We were so surprised when we drove into Timaru and saw how hilly it is. Our house is cute - 3 ... 3 photos[full story]
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