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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 Eluned
October 10th 2009

Last day of Stray :( Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Southland

Stuart Island

Stuart Island in the morning, then would be going back to Queenstown in the evening. Apparently, Stuart Island only has 28km of roads (handy fact in case it ever comes up on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire). So we walked a bit, had some chips, walked some more, avoided the rain, then went on a glass-bottomed boat to see the fishes. The water is stupidly clear, so that was fun. Would have been nice to stay for longer to be able to do some of the farther walks. Then back on the bus for hours and hours to get back [View Full Entry]

By Eluned
October 9th 2009

Onward to Invercargill Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Southland

World's Fastest Indian Car

Back on the Stray bus for the second day of our intrepid adventure. Going on to Invercargill, then catching the ferry to Stuart Island to spend the night. I had previously been told by an Invercargill resident that the place was a dump, so really not expecting much. But it was surprisingly nice. I don't know what I'd think if I spent more than a couple of hours there, but I have nothing to complain about. Went to the museum, saw the Tuatoras - the oldest animals in the world (I think). Very exiting. Also saw the car-motorbike thing that was [View Full Entry]

By John Miranda
August 3rd 2009

The Dinasours of Invercargill & the Hookers of Surat Bay Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Southland » Catlins

Slope Point

The tourist dollar seemed to wane somewhere between Te Anau and Riverton and it had definitely disappeared by the time we reached the boundaries of Invercargill. In fact, Invercargill on a Sunday was officially closed. There was little evidence of the much fabled bad hair and checked shirt comments (which have since been withdrawn from all good travel guides presumably on threat of being sued)…………… indeed there was little evidence of anything and certainly no evidence of any chance of an alcohol refreshment after our journey. We checked into the YHA on the m [View Full Entry]

By JennyLynch
July 29th 2009

Stewart Island - Day 1 - Testing the Tramping Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Southland » Stewart Island

Half Moon Bay

I decided to treat myself to a lie in this morning, if feels like months since I didn't have to check out of a hostel or just be up early to plant trees or save the world! After last nights "activities" I was glad to just chill this morning and catch up with myself. Loaded with a full bowl of porridge in my tummy, I ventured down to the DOC office/visitor center to see what the island had to offer. I had already picked up two leaflets on tramping routes on the island, one the Rakiura track ( a great walk, [View Full Entry]

By Seafarmer
July 19th 2009

The Journey of Life Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Southland » Catlins

Two ways I journey nowadays - not that I have given up real travel altogether: 1. Internet - it's utterly unbelievably wonderful 2. Travellers come to us Yes we live in a corner of the universe that is slowly being discovered.. our kind of visitors are the outdoor sort - love wildlife, landscape, wild seas, an adventure with nature.. from all continents and all with great stories to tell and opinions from far away.. we adore a lively conversation over a glass of wine or a morning coffee. I spent my twenties overlanding and working, first in Africa then in South [View Full Entry]

By dondon
July 1st 2009

Coast to Coast!!! Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Southland

East coast seals

Hello!!!! Sorry about the delay in the blog, but internet access is severely limited out in the wilds of south island!!!! Ok, so we went to Kaikoura and did a 3 hour trip on a boat to see some whales....Bloody amazing!!! We were told to expect to possibly see 1 or 2....but we actually saw 5!!! All male sperm whales, and we were about 25 foot away!! Check out the photos.... Then went on a VERY long walk around the Kaikoura Peninsula, which was supposed to take a couple of hours, but it took us just over 4!!!! Needless to say [View Full Entry]

By APB
March 12th 2009

Cruising the Catlins, and beyond Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Southland

Moeraki Boulders

First stop down the highway from Christine and Bernard's was Moeraki, place of the boulders. This spot is unique. On a small area of beach, where countless years of wave action has gently eroded the cliffs, the erosion has exposed large boulders, which have rolled down onto the beach and are almost perfectly round as you can imagine, looking every bit like dinosaur eggs that seemed to be birthed by the cliffs. We were greeted by the area's beach-combing dog, who accompanied us down onto the sand. His name tag said Rampage, and he was owned by the folks who had [View Full Entry]

By Rebecca and Nick
February 20th 2009

Routeburn Canyoning - Queenstown Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Southland » Queenstown

P2200306

It had been raining most of the night which made us worry we would not be going. With a clear(ish) head we rang the canyoning company to see if the trip was still on, they we going to wait a while to see if they could get a better forecast. We called the company again and they said they would give it a go. Down in the shop Nicola and Mike were not convinced that once we got there we would be able to get in the canyon as there had been so much rain but there was only one way [View Full Entry]

By Stanislas
January 16th 2009

The Catlins - Nouvelle Zélande Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Southland » Catlins

Windswept Trees

D'après les conseils d'un gars, qu'on a rencontré sur un parking, le plus bel endroit sur terre se trouve au bout d'un chemin qu'il s'est donné bien de la peine à nous dessiner. Un peu naïfs et désireux de découvrir ce petit paradis, on biffurque et on suit les indications manuscrites. Après une demie heure sur une route en gravier, on perd un peu patience et on se demande où ce chemin nous emmène... La nuit commence à tomber et on se retrouve dans la situation où l'on ne veut pas faire demi-tour après avoir fait tout ce trajet sans savoir [View Full Entry]

By Enevoldsen
January 10th 2009

Hestetur og søløver Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Southland » Catlins

Anna til hest

I dag stod den på hestetur for Anna og Mona. De skulle være på gården kl. 9, men kom først ud at ride ved 9.30 tiden. Der var en anden dame, der også skulle med på tur, men da hun også var nybegynder passede det fint. Annas hest hed Tammy og Monas Bo. Ponyerne var ude til konkurrence, så Anna skulle ride på en høj hest, hvilket hun kun var glad for. De skulle en tur på stranden og en tur op på et af bjergene, så de ville få en god udsigt over området. Først red de ud over marker, [View Full Entry]

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