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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 Cassidy
October 18th 2009

People are nice in NZ Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Hamilton

So much to say... WWOOFing was definitely an experience. It was the most labor-intensive week!! Sorting nuts was one thing, but raking them off the ground was so hard! Fortunately there was a lot of good food to make up for our sore arms and aching backs and the weather was pretty cooperative. After work yesterday we had a party, which was a lot of fun, but I am certainly paying for it today. Still. At 7:30 at night. UGGGGGHHHHH. Im trying to think food-settling thoughts. Despite my ridiculous hangover, today has actually been a very good and productive day. I [View Full Entry]

By Sunriseoversea
October 17th 2009

Lying on a rock laughing... Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Punakaiki

It continued to rain all day (14th Oct) and although I did manage a trip to town (to replace my broken headphones) which got me soaked I spent most of the day just relaxing with Rodrigo, Griselda and John. Later on my 2 French roommates and their Brazilian friend got involved in the conversation too and we spoke for hours about the countries we live in and how different they are! It was a really interesting and eye-opening conversation. The next morning was birthday time!! (15th Oct). As I entered the kitchen I got many birthday greetings and the sun was [View Full Entry]

By McHearns
October 17th 2009

halloween bash Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Whangarei

a fairy

Our neighbours tammy and niel had a halloween bash party for tammy s birthdayit today. 30 years young!! We were invited but we did not dress up though. Anyway i took some photos. It was more for the young people. [View Full Entry]

By roesweld
October 17th 2009

New Zealand Sentimental Journey Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Te Aroha

Starting out on Thursday morning

Hello again on a damp, but promising Sunday morning. We have returned once more to our home base in Te Aroha. We went to visit our friends on the Coromandel Peninsula beside the Firth of Thames. How often do you get to say Firth of anything in this life? It was very rainy on Thursday when we drove up, so we stayed inside for most of the day. Cliff and his two handicapped children live on a beautiful little bay called Ruamahunga Bay. It is very sub-tropical and he is able to grow most everything. The land behind the house goes [View Full Entry]

By McHearns
October 17th 2009

Glenbervie School - "Ag. Day " Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Whangarei

Anita with the lamb ("Maxine")

On Saturday 17th. October we went to see the "Ag. Day" event at Glenbervie School. This is the school that Michael and Catherines two children (Jason and Anita) attend. Anita took her black lamb for the parade and judging. [View Full Entry]

The judge takes his time - wants to know what Anita did to train Maxine!

By Laurene
October 17th 2009

Yatzee with zee germans Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Picton

Bed duty again today. Raining again today. Today we played some Uno and I did my laundry and then we played some yahtzee. It was a really exciting day haha (sarcasm!) I feel like i’m getting another cold which doesn’t make me too happy. [View Full Entry]

By Ferdi and Talita
October 17th 2009

Day 265-267: Auckland to Westport, New Zealand Oceania » New Zealand » North Island

The Boeman had a nice bath

Saturday, October 17th Nicol made a delicious omelet breakfast after which we continued preparing our van. Ferdi went to the shop in search of a few more items. We fitted the last few parts, glued the carpet in place, put the mattress and bedding in, followed by our packing containers. The Boesman was coming together great! Keira had a nap so we waited until she woke before we left. At 15:30 we said goodbye to Team Smit, stopped at the Pack 'n' Save to pick up supplies, then set off for Hamilton. We were in a daze. We couldn't believe that [View Full Entry]

By Laurene
October 16th 2009

Free dinner Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Picton

After breakfast we got our new assignments for the day. I was meant to be the driver and pick up and drop of people from the ferry but then I discovered the hostel’s van was a manual so I couldn’t drive it. I’d rather not try to learn how to drive a manual on the wrong side of the car. So I was back on bed duty. Since it was raining outside AGAIN we ended up watching 2 movies. Since it’s Friday we get $25 to go out and buy some food for all of us workers and cook up a [View Full Entry]

By Deirdre and Diarmuid
October 16th 2009

New Zealand - South Island Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Fox Glacier

Diarmuid at Fox Glacier

Hi all, We arrived in Picton around 9.30pm on the 27th May and drove south to Bleinheim, a wine region in Marlborough. We drove around for a few hours looking for somewhere to park outside the town but with nothing but vineyards to be seen for miles we returned to the town and pulled in outside a small park. Time conscious and money poor, in the morning we made our decision to cut out visiting the north coast and Nelson and instead headed straight through the wine valleys and accross to the west coast. Marlborough is New Zealands premier wine producing [View Full Entry]

By jujubee
October 16th 2009

Milford & Doubtful Sound Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Te Anau

Milford Sound from Kea Summit

Day 32, 5th October - Milford Sound Up bright & early and straight to the Vistors Centre after having breakfast to check road conditions down to Milford. After a quick stop to buy some gloves (it was freakin freezing!) we set off and made our first stop at “Mirror Lake” to get a nice reflection of the snow capped mountains. One problem though…There was no reflection! Actually there was no lake, it looked more like an oversized puddle!! We continued (slightly disappointed) towards Milford and stopped next at ‘The Divide” where we trekked up to “Kea Summit&r [View Full Entry]

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