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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 Hakuna_matata86
September 15th 2005

Still Rotorua Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Rotorua

Had an awesome morning going round Wai-o-tapu thermal wonderland. The colours were amazing, a totally worth it experience! The Lady Knox Geyser was also very worth it too, shooting about 20m into the air. Am hoping to try and add some more pictures soon, but need to find a computer that will allow me to upload direct from my camera. :( Going to book my Spa soon! [View Full Entry]

By Some kind of Animal
September 15th 2005

Spin Spin Oceania » New Zealand

Shamed Bandits

Kia ora (hello in Maori) from the jagged volcanic hills of Wellington, New Zealand. Excuse me if I've been a bit out of touch, I've been finding my way and aggressive about settling in. Turning the clock back to where I left off in Japan, finishing work and leaving behind a great summer in grand ole Tokyo was bittersweet. My travel itinerary that final day went something like this: 6am wake up on 1 hour of sleep to start a 36 hour conveyor belt of 3 planes rides totalling 20 hours of flight time, a Bangkok and thai massage layover, a [View Full Entry]

By Hakuna_matata86
September 14th 2005

Taupo again Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Taupo

Have now reached Taupo after spending the the last day and a half in Wellington. Went and visited the Parliament buildings and Te Papa museum yesterday. Both were interesting to see, some very decorative rooms in the Parliament, though no sitting while I was there as preparations are under way for the election this weekend. I wish I'd had more time for Te Papa, it's a huge museum with several interactive rides etc in it too, though the virtual bungy wasn't very convincing. All the maori stuff was cool though, though I barely had enough time to stop and read anything [View Full Entry]

By Reena and Cheena
September 14th 2005

Sweet as Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch

Rachael, Rachael and Rachael in Sumner

Hello!! Conscious that things have been a little quiet from our corner lately, here's an update on the latest of our travels. We have both now finished working (hurrah!): Rach F at the dairy farm and Rach B at the hostel, the Old Countryhouse, and the cinema. Jen has arrived from the UK, George has been and gone in her visit to NZ and we are leaving NZ tomorrow!! To fill in the gaps would take rather a long time, but I will detail a few now. Rach F has become an expert in delivering calves, she has many stories to [View Full Entry]

Jen at the Devil's Punchbowl waterfall, Arthur's Pass

By PHYSIO DAVE
September 14th 2005

mad jumper Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland

first pic from observation room

Hi guys , Dave here - well we arrived in Aukland - another 5 star HOSTEL! note superman senior that thats not the same as a 5 star hotel, it just means you get a bit more for you 8 pounds a night - like a clean toilet for instance. Anyway it was a nice day and i thought to myself 'why not go and throw myself of the highest tower in NZ i mean whats the worst that could happen?????'. So i did a base jump of the Sky tower.........twice. Pretty amazing experience and after watching spiderman the night before [View Full Entry]

By PHYSIO DAVE
September 14th 2005

Tongariro to Auckland Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park

In kelly tarltons sea world tunnel

Gem here, further to our guest blog from Elinor, Laura and Simon are now going to let you catch up on the goings on since we last blogged while in Whakapapa. Then hang onto your hats and Dave will finish off with some crazy antics. Hope everyone is well and enjoying yourselfs. Only a few weeks almost till I return to UK and Dave gets on with his travels. Will say a goodbye to Laura, Simon and Elinor now as they leave tomorrow morning and are not lookng forward to the flight back, not surprised really. Its been fabulous to have [View Full Entry]

By Stacie
September 13th 2005

South Island of New Zealand Oceania » New Zealand » South Island

Fox Glacier

Well week two has come and gone and I’m still loving New Zealand. I have just about finished with the South Island and it was even more beautiful than the North (although a bit tamer with the activities!) There has been a lot of time spent on the bus but the scenery has certainly been worth it. One third of New Zealand is National Park and the vast majority of those are in the South Island so the vistas have been beautiful. We crossed over to the South Island via a four-hour ferry ride through the Marlborough Sound, which was beautiful. [View Full Entry]

By pamdu
September 13th 2005

abel tas and around Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Abel Tasman National Park

Here we are again, back at the pc to tell you tales of our wonderful relaxing time etc etc. We think the last you got was us in Queenstown. Now that was some time ago and so much has happened since ... From Queenstown we went up to arrowtown and looked at restored chinese settlement (v interesting) and bought some v nice homemade fudge. and had a gourmet pie - we are now pie fanatics (as is all NZ)! from there went to glenorchy where a lot of LOTR was filmed. as you can imagine v nice scenery. we tried to [View Full Entry]

By Rhoads in New Zealand
September 12th 2005

Getting settled in Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington

Belmont Regional Park

So after visiting Auckland and buying our car, we travelled to Wellington. We drove straight through, car overpacked, on small winding roads, at night, driving on the "wrong side of the road" in a strange land, for 9 hours, give or take. Wouldn't recommend doing it that way, but we needed to find a place to live, get the kids in school and start setting up a place to call home. Fortunately Scott's company paid for a two week stay in a hotel that had a small kitchen, dining and living room as well as two bedrooms. By the end of [View Full Entry]

By Rachelbeth
September 12th 2005

On Yer Bike Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Hawkes Bay » Hastings

Priceless

After the South Island trip and the overload of blogs I took a break to catch up with school (yah I actually have work to do!!), and to reintroduce myself into my fav city, Wellington!!! Although; I've been taking it easy (at least by my standards) I've had some interesting moments so here is the rundown to catch ya up with my life down under... Out and About in Welly Well I managed to push the South Island out of my head and get all my essays and projects in...and with time to spare...well maybe it was only a few [View Full Entry]

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