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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
August 24th 2005

Beautiful Vistas and visiting the hot Pools in Hanmer!-Photos! Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Hanmer Springs

majestic Mountains near Springs Junction

My good kiwi friend ngaire told me that a great place to visit while in NZ is the hot pools of Hanmer Springs. So, after a few minor adjustments we added it to our itinerary. Once we were awake in Punakaiki, we packed Sunny with our adventure packs (who acquired some rather affectionate nicknames while on the road..i.e Mine is "Big red" and rachels is "the Jolly green Giant" and Lauren's borrowed pack from Liz = "Ol blue") and checked out of the Beach Hostel. We were on the road again, and headed for some more fun filled adventures. Before leaving [View Full Entry]

By Rachelbeth
August 24th 2005

Driving to the Pancakes Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » West Coast » Punakiaki

Me and Matheson

South Island V-Cay: Day #9 With another day full of driving we finally got our wish…Mr. Sun poked his little head out and we had wonderful sunny weather all day long...yeah!! We got up bright and early to start our travels. Our first stop was on the way out of Fox for a distant view of the now sunny glacier that we had climbed the day before, and then followed by a brisk little walk around Lake Matheson...which is the most photographed mirror lake in NZ...it was as smooth as glass and you could see everything in its reflection. Our next [View Full Entry]

By Unibrow
August 24th 2005

Moving South Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch

Travelers with Gracious Hosts

A dark day (yesterday) marred the normally punctual nature of the transportation network of the British Commonwealth. A new ferry boat in just its 2nd day of service was more than 3 hours behind schedule in leaving Wellington due to a number of factors including: poorly orchestrated loading/unloading of commercial and passenger vehicles and miscalculations of tide/ballast. Side note: the ferry was enormous, over 22,000 tons I believe. This is close to 3x the size of the other ferries they'd been running over the same route. It was an international event really: Kiwi TV stations reported [View Full Entry]

By Napoleon
August 24th 2005

Christchurch Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch

Cathedral Square

I have been in Christchurch for about a week. I met up with Kim, Kristen, Tie (Mr. Frodo), and Andy. We hanged out for a couple days, they are touring around the south island. Tomorrow I plan on heading south and seeing some of the island by myself, my friend Brian, who I bumped into in Christchurch, decided not to come because he has to go back to Wellington to write some essays for class. I went to the casino for a second time, I won a little money the first time and lost a little the second... so that was [View Full Entry]

By Hakuna_matata86
August 24th 2005

Whitianga! Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Coromandel » Whitianga

Today has been awesome! I didn't have a great night in the youth hostel, but met up with a small group of people on the bus this morning. Having headed out to a mountain over Auckland for photo opportunities, really spectacular views! We suddenly emerged into green countryside! Stopped in a little place called Tiarua(?) For food, drinks etc, then we carried on to a stunning place called Cathedral Cove, it was a gorgeous sandy beach, with a water fall falling onto the sands. And the sea was the most amazing azure blue colour ever, nothing like the North Sea! Moving [View Full Entry]

By pamdu
August 23rd 2005

east coast Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago » Dunedin

at the mo we are in invercargill on the south island. we have been in our van for 2 weeks now, and have been out and about seeing lots and lots: NZ sealions and seals. lots of yellow-eyed penguins, and a blue penguin - really close up. also saw lots of spotted shags - birds with mohecans! and saw royal albatrosses - big birds that glide. we have been from christchurch down the east coast, occasionally darting inland to see things like mount cook (NZs highest mt) - all covered in snow and very impressive. lake tekapo - huge blue lake [View Full Entry]

By pamdu
August 23rd 2005

southern scenic and fiordland Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Fiordland National Park » Milford Sound

Well we are now in Queenstown. Since our last update we have completed what is known as the Southern Senic Route, passing through the seaside town Riverton. On route here we went to the most windy beach ever ... before we even arrived a sand storm was blowing down the road. Riverton was a laid back place (popular with NZ holiday folk). We met some locals staying at our campsite who were mad about tramping (and one chap who talked to us non stop about fishing - i think he might have loved them more than his wife!). We played some [View Full Entry]

By ShellyAbroad
August 23rd 2005

Mirror lakes, Driftwood beaches, and pancake Rocks: new Zealand's Unruly West Coast-Photos! Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » West Coast » Punakiaki

Lake Matheson

Drive from Fox Glacier to Punakaiki As if to spite us, the sun decided to come out and shine on the day we left Fox glacier- after it had rained non stop for 2 and a half days. But we took full advantage of the sunshine and stopped at Lake Matheson on our way out of town. Lake Matheson is considered NZ's most photographed lake, due to its mirrored image of Mt. Tasman and Mt. Cook(the tallest peak in NZ). We walked the circle around the lake, through yet another bush clad NZ forest and made our way to the lakefront. [View Full Entry]

By Hakuna_matata86
August 23rd 2005

arrived! Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland

Now in Auckland! Made big mistake going through customs.......forgot about an apple in my bag and have had to pay a (omg this keyboard doesn't have a pound sign!) 75 squid fine anyway. And I didn't get to eat my apple :( So much for being careful about letting in diseases, I touched the apple and two security blokes, and he used the example of the maybe being fruit fly eggs on it. Well they could be all over his hands by now! No point worrying now, going to go to bed in a minute get some shut eye before an [View Full Entry]

By Rachelbeth
August 23rd 2005

Glacier Hiking!?! Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » West Coast » Fox Glacier

I Did It!!

South Island V-Cay: Day #8 Waking up that morning we were crossing our fingers hoping that when we peaked out the windows the sun would come pouring in...didn't work :( Again the sky is filled with clouds and there is a permanent mist filling the air. But we had decided since we drove all this way to climb the glacier that a little bit of rain wasn't gonna stop us...well at least it started out as a little bit...so we threw on our rain gear and headed to Alpine Adventures for our early morning hike up Fox Glacier. After suiting up [View Full Entry]

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