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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 mark and chrissie
August 30th 2008

Exploring the Sounds of Marlborough

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Pelorus Sounds

French Pass day

Day 516 (26.08.08) Since Jean and Mike were headed off on the mail boat cruise of the Pelorus Sounds today we thought we'd do our own tour of the sounds by jumping in the van and driving along the road that follows the rough path of the Queen Charlotte Walking Track. The weather was pretty terrible with mist and rain already settled in before we left. We had mixed views of the sounds during our drive but what we did see of the small bays and inlets that make up the sounds was great. After a car picnic lunch we headed [View Full Entry]

By mark and chrissie
August 28th 2008

Stocking up the Wine Cellar in Blenheim

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Blenheim

Wine tasting

Day 514 (24.08.08) We planned to travel up the coast a little today and so we were up early and on the road before 9. The weather was a little grey and drizzly so we were glad to be in the comfort of our little van. After a short drive we stopped for coffee at a beautiful restaurant called The Store where we toasted ourselves by the open fire (although stopping for coffee is apparently not something Jean and Mike 'usually' do!). A little way up the road is a place called Ohau Point where you can again view fur seals [View Full Entry]

By Lil Em
March 24th 2008

Em's first Blog Entry

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Queen Charlotte Sounds

Fiji, Mama's Tropic of Capricorn Sunset

Hey everyone. Well I have finally started my blog!!! Sorry its taken so long but this is going to be my challenge when I’m away as writing really isn’t my thing! Whereas you all know I can talk for Britain!!! Lol Time already seems to be flying bye but am happy to say I feel like I’ve done so much already and am currently on my second WOOFer job. For those of you I hadn’t had chance to bore before I left the WOOF scheme is Working Opportunities on Organic Farms. This actually varies greatly and as long as the ‘host’ [View Full Entry]

By Charlie1980
March 21st 2008

Easter Escape

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough

Kaikoura

Hope everyone had a fantastic Easter, and no-one made themselves sick on chocolate eggs;) I managed to escape Christchurch on roadtrip. I drove up to Kaikoura on Friday morning and went whale watching. It was awesome, saw 2 sperm whales. They are giants, the bit we see from the top of the water is only 10% of them. Huge!! They are so graceful as they dive into the water as well, you would think something that big would just sink! From there I drove up to Blenheim. Popped into town for dinner & watched the rugby before going back to the [View Full Entry]

By mini303
March 5th 2008

Queen Charlotte Track

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Queen Charlotte Sounds

Queen Charlotte Track
Hier gibt es nur Wasser von einer Quelle oder Regenwasser

Ich habe meine erste fast Dreitageswanderung hinter mich gebracht. Am ersten Tag sind wir ca. 10 km mit schweren Rucksaecken beladen gewandert. Dann haben wir bei Noeline uebernachtet. Eine alte Dame mit ihrem Hund. Zum Abschied gabs sogar einen Kuss auf die Wangen, wie bei Oma zu Hause. Am naechsten Tag sind wir 24 km gelaufen und haben 7 Std. gebraucht und dann war Ende fuer mich, denn meine schnell neu gekauften Schuhe aus Neuseeland sind "SCHEISSE"!!!! Ich hatte 5 Blasen und das hat weh getan! Ich musste sie alle aufstechen und mein Knie hat auch nicht mehr mitgemacht. Das tut [View Full Entry]

By Twinkletoes n Metal Thom
February 15th 2008

Marlborough Wine Region

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Blenheim

What else is there really to comment on about the famed Marlborough Wine region, except the glorious wine they have here! We were so bowled over by it's magnificence, that we ended up staying for at least 2 hours in one of these fine wineries getting incredibly geeky on tasting a couple of pre-pay "wine platters" complete with a huge file that you are given to compare your palette findings with those of the wine maker and any reviews they have received from important wine dudes. We were shameless! Punching the air in triumph when we discovered we had correctly identified [View Full Entry]

By Catherine G
February 7th 2008

Beaches, more beaches and glaciers...

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Queen Charlotte Sounds

Ship's Cove - Queen Charlotte Trek

The ferry across the Cook Straight was wonderful. I was amazed at how long we hugged the coastline of the North Island before seeing the South Island. It wasn't clear at first where we would enter the island but we were soon in the Tory Channel and the beautiful Marlborough Sounds surrounding by forested hills. The rather huge ferry seemed to glide effortlessly through the water. I felt at home already before the boat had docked in the South Island. Considering Picton is the gateway for so many to the South Island it was surprisingly small. I found a bed in [View Full Entry]

Ferns, ferns and more ferns...well they are the national emblem afterall.

By fullmoonjoy
February 5th 2008

a little river thinking...

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Picton

Beloved You walked across mountains for my love moved boulders in your deepest sleep opened the hearts of others, through miracles, for me, unfolded the wide universe in your kiss. Still, I forget your name. Still, I forget your presence. "Be Still", you say, and I am. As fears cascade from my eyes and at once, I am healed from all suffering. You have scooped the whole ocean in your hand and given me its bounty, unfolded the pattern of a million stars within your eyes, yet, I forget to look when the sun rises to greet me. And I [View Full Entry]

By fullmoonjoy
February 3rd 2008

Towards the finish line...

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Picton

Kaikora

Hi from the Maitreya Meditation Center.... So, its been a couple weeks since I last wrote and its been kind of a wild ride since then. I will only mark the highlights really to keep the length down a little. When I last wrote, I was in Nelson for a little RnR after the Abel Tasman. The next day I moved on to Kaikora, a small town along the north east coast of the south island. Kaikora is located along a Peninsula and was a once famous whaling town so there was lots of history and a strong fishing culture. It [View Full Entry]

By sallmarie
January 21st 2008

Marlborough Sounds - First stop on the South Island

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Marlborough » Picton

Ben on a headland near Picton
Just another viewpoint - one of thousands...

DATE VISITED: 19-21ST JAN The ferry crossing across the Cook Strait wasn't too stomach-churning thank God. We were warned by locals that the Strait can be prone to a funnelling affect of the winds from the Tasman and Pacific oceans at either side - on top of this local newspapers were reporting rough seas with swells of over a metre but I thought a metre wouldn't be too bad! On the day itself the first hour was a bit up and down but not enough to make me go up on deck to throw. The middle and end of the sailing [View Full Entry]

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