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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 Targett
September 6th 2005

We have arrived! Yippie!!!! Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland

Good evening all! We have arrived in New Zealand, Auckland! The weather is spring like, slightly damp in the air but comfortable (not cold!) The flight was crazy, left the UK at 4.00pm Sunday, arrived here Tuesday at 5.15am! Crossing time zones all over the place, we were finger-printed in LA, along with everyone else; while the plane was refuelled. However we did get free Tea and snacks. The trip added up like this: 10.00am leave sunny Ashford, 4.00pm leave UK = 10hr flight. 2hr stop over in LA. 15 hr flight to Auckland. 2hr bus ride on shuttle bus to [View Full Entry]

By Hakuna_matata86
September 6th 2005

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

Pants! For no apparent reason I just lost all I've written. So, to try and repeat: Got to Queenstown- biggest place on South Island (I think). Watched some of the guys do the original AJ Hackett bungy (43m plus water dunk) as part of their thrilogy package. Then went off quad biking! Was amazing, even though it was only biking was still a thrill to be riding up and down slopes over rough terrain on such a decent machine! Having booked in etc, have just come back from Joey's birthday night out! Have had to wear a white shirt and 'tie' [View Full Entry]

By KerryandCraig
September 6th 2005

Taupo and Rotorua - eggy country Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Taupo

Wai O Tapu

Well we journeyed from sunny climes in Napier more inland to visit the volcanic and geothermal areas of Taupo and Rotorua. They are pretty amazing (wait until you see the piccies) but the smell was truly something else ;o) Stopped at Rotorua overnight at a really nice site with it's own geothermal mineral spas - all very pleasant! [View Full Entry]

By KerryandCraig
September 5th 2005

Napier Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » East Coast » Napier

NZ Aquarium

On the advice of a local resident who was visiting Westport, they recommended that we should visit Hawkes Bay and the East Cost of the North Island rather than the West - and I think it's safe to say that we're glad that we did! Spent the day visiting the National Aquarium of New Zealand which was a really lovely place, sharks, rays and even a huge turtle! We were lucky enough to get there for feeding time and see the diver hand feeding the fish in the Oceanic Tank. We then went to Marine Land which was a whole different [View Full Entry]

By Hakuna_matata86
September 5th 2005

Wanaka Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Central Otago » Wanaka

Arrived in Wanaka today after having a fairly slow morning. Quite wet again, though is dry at this precise moment. Stopped to see a big beasty waterfall at a place called Thunder Creek, quite nice to see. Just having a chilled afternoon in Wanaka before heading for Queenstown tomorrow! [View Full Entry]

By KerryandCraig
September 4th 2005

Picton and the ferry crossing North Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » West Coast

Travelled to Picton (what a dump) to catch the ferry to journey to the North Island. Ferry crossing was very good and was a nice experience all in all. Picton was a nasty place though, too full of mouthy chavs!! [View Full Entry]

By Napoleon
September 4th 2005

Driving back through the North Island to Wellington Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Taupo

Lake Taupo

Today I did alot of driving, again. We took the 1, which is the fastest and the main highway up to Auckland. I decided to go back a different way to see more of the countryside. We took the 1 for a while and than took the 4 towards the southern Taranaki region near the ocean. It was very pretty and worth the extra time. It looked just like "middle-earth" from Lord of the Rings. Lots of green mountains, forests, some snow, rivers, waterfalls, cliffs, etc. It was lots of fun. Lake Taupo was huge, its the biggest lake in the [View Full Entry]

By Lynfield
September 4th 2005

Cornwall Park Stroll Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland

ryan cara jock

Ryan and Cara were going to go for a walk in Cornwall Park. They asked Nathan if he would like to come along. He said yes, I will take the work jeep and we can get the top off coz the weather is lovely. On the way we picked up Jock coz he has two broken wrists from Snowboarding in the South Island, and might be bored at home. These are random photos of it coz the weather was nice. [View Full Entry]

By Hakuna_matata86
September 4th 2005

Franz Josef Glacier Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » West Coast » Franz Josef

Climbed the glacier today, am soaked to the skin even in dry clothes as it appears to suddenly be monsoon season! The glacier was awesome, never seen anything like it, also v scary to climb, lots of big crevaces and drops and the odd bridge to cross...... Conviniently the glacier no longer has a nice smooth incline to the top at the start but a vertical face, which we had to climb! Takes a long time as the guides have to cut a path way into the rock with an ice pick, once at the top there are millions of pools [View Full Entry]

By Unibrow
September 4th 2005

Adieu New Zealand Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Plenty

Rainbow Falls

Here some photos to close out our visit to New Zealand. Bangkok tomorrow! We're staying at the Comfort Inn. -Cory and Sherry [View Full Entry]

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