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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 PHYSIO DAVE
September 16th 2005

flipping great. Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Northland » Paihia

A hole in a rock

Hi now in Paihia in the bay of islands and yesterday it was beautiful weather and today well it has gone somewhat downhill and has been raining. Staying in another YHA hostel, amazing room like a studio area with two double rooms attached, but there is noone booked in the other room at present and so we have it all to ourselfs. The only thing that would make it better is having a kitchen in it as well, as the shared one is tiny for the amount of people in the hostel at present. Got our own balcony with sea view [View Full Entry]

By Willow
September 15th 2005

Windy Welly revisited... job, flat, real world bites! Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington

Mount Taranaki - view from the lodge that we stayed at

I can't believe I've been in Welly for over two months now - time has flown by so fast! Here's the shortened version of what I've been up to since my last blog ;0) After a great month in Golden Bay and despite being very tempted to stay a while longer, I finally moved myself on. I had a great last few days there - Chris gave me the day off so I took the car and spent my time visiting new places, such as the Kaihoka Lakes, or places I wanted to go back to, like the beaches along by [View Full Entry]

Walking up the start of the ascent track....

The view from the cafe where we had out tea and scones...

By ShellyAbroad
September 15th 2005

In the middle of Political NZ :Prime Minister Helen Clark visits Vic Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington

Political rally

Prime Minister Helen Clark The perks of being in a small country about the size of CA with a population of 4 million- and being in the capital of this country..in the middle of the national elections: The Prime Minister comes to visit your campus during her lunch hour! Just crazy man. Can you imagine our president doing that? hell no. What an experience this was! FYI: new Zealand not only was the 1st country in the world to let women vote, but also it was the first country to have a female national leader such as the Prime minister! Way [View Full Entry]

By Targett
September 15th 2005

Helena's comments Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Northland

Hello everybody, We have now arrived at Kerikeri, after passing through lots of places. Including the bay of islands. Very nice here. After the initial leg of the journey on bikes (where we cycled to Bethells beach - apparently where they filmed parts of the Piano and another film which I can't remember). We got very tired and ended up putting the tent up in someones back garden - with their permission. They were very friendly, but wouldn't you know it, one of the people was from Brixton!! Cycle up a very big hill and find somebody from England! After this [View Full Entry]

By Hakuna_matata86
September 15th 2005

Rotorua - Again! Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Rotorua

Arrived in Rotorua early today, as was only a short trip up from Taupo. Having checked in to Base Backpackers (NOT Hotrocks this time), went off to see the Rainbow Springs which, incidentally were really really nice, got given a headset of information to listen to and got to see lots of native birds, and also the Turatara! After that I travelled up to agrodome with Courtney and we did a farm tour, got to see lots of sheep(!), and feed some alpaccas (have I spelt that right?). We also got to taste some kiwifruit wine (dry but sweet really bizarre [View Full Entry]

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]

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