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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 ShellyAbroad
September 10th 2005

Life and Times of Hometown New Zealand: A visit to Ngaire's home in Hastings Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Hawkes Bay » Hastings

Hastings

Ever since I became friends with ngaire I wanted to visit vist her hometown. It is something about going home with someone, when you really understand them as a person. Plus, getting out the hussle of welly is a good thing- NZ hometowns are where the cultural immersion really happens-in my opinion. Welly is such an international city- with ppl from all over the world. hastings, rather, is a genuine NZ town. purely kiwi. just what i was looking for! Hastings is a small town of around 40,000. It is in the middle of Hawke's Bay- a region on the eastern [View Full Entry]

By PHYSIO DAVE
September 10th 2005

GUEST BLOG: The Wild West Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wanganui » Wanganui

Whakapapa ski fields

Hey everyone! Elinor here doing a guest blog with a gun to my head... Apologies that most of you probably only know me as the nutter who jumped from a plane but Gemma and Dave have turned into rednecks since leaving Wellington so you don't want to mess with them. It all started in Wanganui, on our way up the Wild West Coast of North Island. The towns have got quieter and there has been a bit more contact with the yocals. Wanganui was... well what can I say? Ummm very pretty. We didn't do a massive amount there as the [View Full Entry]

By annaspannerbanana
September 9th 2005

Captain Stokes and her adventures on the South Island..... Oceania » New Zealand » South Island

Looking down over the Wellington

I was slightly nervous as I approached Wellington as I was being picked up at the bus station by Amy and Randal. They are two of the 5 New Zealanders who looked after me on Boxing Day after being hit by the wave, they all looked after me for nearly 24 hours until I was helicoptered off to hospital and I didn't think I'd ever see them again. As it turned out I came across a local newspaper article on the internet, I started reading it and recognised a few of the details and realised it was one of the girls [View Full Entry]

Me and Amy on top of Victoria Head, Wellington

Leaving Wellington and the North Island behind...

By KerryandCraig
September 9th 2005

Whale Watching Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Kaikoura

Wandering Albatross

Well we arrived in Kaikoura which means "Food of the crayfish" in Maori with high hopes of spotting a whale or two! We hurried to the booking office to get tickets for the trip only to be advised that due to the unseasonally calm and warm weather the sightings of whales was becoming a little sporadic - but being "cup half full" types we decided to try our luck. When we arrived for the trip we were really disappointed to learn that the whale watching was cancelled as no sightings had been made; there was however, a coastal trip on offer, [View Full Entry]

By Hakuna_matata86
September 9th 2005

Christchurch Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Canterbury Plains

I'm not quite entirely sure how I managed to miss out writing about the 7th! Considering it was my trip to Milford Sound which was awesome! Even though the weather was a little dull and rainy it was still one of the most amazing places I've ever seen. Anyway, coming forwards in time, yesterday afternoon I went horse riding at the Dart Stables and got to ride a horse called Sledge who starred in Lord of the Rings!! Really enjoyed the experience as have never been on a horse before, and he was so gentle! Today travelled up from Queenstown to [View Full Entry]

By KerryandCraig
September 8th 2005

Back South Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington Region » Wellington

Bay View - Napier
View from Bay View to the Port of Napier

After another cool night on the beach at Napier, we decided to head off back to Wellington to catch our Ferry. Found an amazing lodge 5 mins from the ferry terminal where we were able to eat in the main restaurant! Very nice food and excellent facilities - highly recommended! [View Full Entry]

By Hakuna_matata86
September 8th 2005

BUNGY! Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Queenstown

This morning I've already been bungy jumping! Took me ages to get off the platform cause it was sooooo scary! 134m in approx 8 secs with 5secs of freefall! My dvd is an embarressment! Going horse riding soon, another new experience! [View Full Entry]

By PHYSIO DAVE
September 8th 2005

The road back to Aukland Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wanganui » Wanganui

Te marae in te papa museum Wellington

Hi guys, Dave here, Well weve been in Wellington for the past 2 days in one of the best hostels yet, 5 star no less, which means you get some sleep. Ventured out to Lone star for a huge meal which filled us up so much we couldnt muster a sentance between us for a good half hour! (see pics - will eventually put on) Also got to learn more about the southern night sky as we visited the observatory to have a virtual show and lecture. Then got the heart stopping, hair raising gondola back down to Wellington. At present [View Full Entry]

By Targett
September 8th 2005

Off we go! Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland

Hi there all Well it's Friday morning for us, now recovered from the jet lag. Both Helena and I have been having some very weird moments, such as waking up in the middle of the night (lunch time in the UK) even though not hungry, trying not to fall asleep during the day and feeling very much like drunks due to tiredness! Luckily that is all past now and our body clocks have adjusted to Kiwi time! The hostel is in a camden-town-esque area with a high punk and street culture scene. Auckland city central is about 2miles square, surrounded by [View Full Entry]

By KerryandCraig
September 7th 2005

Agrodome and beyond! Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Rotorua

19 Breeds of Sheep

HAHAHAHA what a great day out at the Agrodome - the "rough guide" promised performing sheep and that's exactly what we got! Although kinda tongue in cheek, it's well worth a visit and do the combo as you get to visit a working Kiwi farm and learn about the different breeds of sheep etc. Also, and possibly the highlight was you get to sample Kiwi Wine - yum yum yum!!!! Sheep show was really funny though and was made more amusing by the hoardes of chinese who were helpless with laughter at the sheep misbehaving :o) Following the Agrodome we decided [View Full Entry]

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