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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 Leanne and Simon
November 11th 2009

Farewell New Zealand Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura

Bye bye New Zealand

After 10 weeks we have finally come to the end of the New Zealand leg of our trip. We've had a total blast exploring the country and have experienced things we will never forget. Highlights have included skydiving, swimming with dolphins, tramping in Abel Tasman and climbing Fox glacier. We have met some great people (and some right weirdos) and survived living in a campervan for two weeks without killing each other. It's been fantastic. We could've spent a lot less time here and still have done everything we have because the country is so small and easy to get around. [View Full Entry]

By Leanne and Simon
November 8th 2009

Swimming with dolphins Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura

Dolphins

Kaikoura, Nov 6 - 11 Swimming with dolphins is something I have wanted to do ever since I can remember and today we did it. What an experience... Our day started at 4.45am as we had to be at the Dolphin Encounter office at 5.30am. We are not used to getting up so early but soon woke up when it was time to wiggle into our wetsuits - another great fashion moment. During our briefing we were told to sing to the dolphins (underwater and through the snorkel obviously) to attract their interest. We were soon out on the water looking [View Full Entry]

By aly cam
November 6th 2009

New Zealand Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura

Auckland, NZ

Things from home seem so important at the time and when you leave you realize its not the things at home, its the people. The people who stand by you and wish you luck and send you love from around the world no matter what time of night are the ones you find you miss and wish could see what you are seeing. It is this thought that follows me throughout the trip of NZ and it is this thought that I continually had runing through my head as we made our way south from landing in Auckland, NZ to Wellington [View Full Entry]

Allison and Botanical Gardens, Christchurch

By Laurene
November 5th 2009

Tranzscenic rail trip Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura

Got all packed up and relaxed around the hostel until it was time for Carolin to drive me to the train station. Checked my bag and found my seat. The train isn’t very big and has an open air car at the back of the train where you can stand and watch the scenery. We stopped in a few smaller towns along the way. The train takes you right along the coast down to Christchurch. Great scenery, which is why they call it the Tranzscenic train. Saw lots of NZ fur seals playing in the water and laying on the rocks. [View Full Entry]

By GregBish
September 21st 2009

Days 9 and 10 Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura

Day 9 complete

Day 9 - Kaikoura to Cheviot 75km We were out early again and the weather was terrible. The first 20km was along the coast before we cut inland, and it took us around an hour and half to complete the 20km due to the wind and rain coming in off the sea, it really wasnt very good fun. Once we cut inland toward Cheviot we were provided with a little shelter from the elements, but were instead faced with a series of tough climbs, four of around 200m. It was certainly one of the toughest sections we had cycled in [View Full Entry]

By Ferdi and Talita
August 24th 2009

Day 208-210: Wellington to Picton to Kaikoura, New Zealand Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura

Bye bye Wellington

Saturday, August 22nd We slept late (again!) and after a shower Clive and Lize prepared a huge farewell breakfast. They were very kind and friendly and helpful during our stay, and it was great to see a different take on life in New Zealand. Also, Lize kept giving us chocolates and biscuits and stuff! We'll definitely stop by again on our way back north. We said farewell and drove to the Blue Bridge Ferry terminal where we joined the queue waiting to embark. There were also two other elaborately painted Escape vans. Very cool! While we waited we organized and repacked [View Full Entry]

Our first camping spot on the South Island

By Mckinley4
July 31st 2009

More Pics Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura

Helicopter Ride

We are very lucky with the weather only one day of rain as you can see from the photos. Having a wonderful time. Wish you were here. xxx [View Full Entry]

By elal
July 29th 2009

Kaikoura, Whale Watching and the mad cows Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura

A whale starting its deep sea dive

4th June 2009 We started the day with a long walk to find a fur seal colony that live around the Kaikoura Peninsula. Unlucky timing meant that we arrived at the same time as a tour group. This group contained some "special" people who seemed to think that they were looking at animals in a zoo who would perform tricks for them rather than looking at wild animals in their natural environment. As we waited around for this tour group to leave, we started our walk around the rest of the peninsula a little late. The walk took us over limestone [View Full Entry]

By mrandmrsbb
July 11th 2009

Kaikoura seals Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura

15 July 020

Kaikoura Seals [View Full Entry]

By Wanderly Wagon
June 25th 2009

Seals, Whales & Crayfish Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura

Our boat

The Marlborough wine trail covers a pretty large area but most of the tours and tasting’s are done in Blenheim or Renwick. There are over 50 different wineries in the area and the tours can be done on bikes, foot or car. We decided to stick with the van as the last time we went on bikes it didn’t end too good!(add link) There were so many wineries we didn’t know which ones to go too. The lonely planet suggested some and we also got a list of all the vineyards open in the area in winter. First up we dropped [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura