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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 KerryandCraig
August 25th 2005

Weeeee we're almost on our way! Oceania » New Zealand

Well not long now!! Only a few hours and we'll be on our way to New Zealand! :o) Craig has surprised me by leaving the packing to the last minute..... very un-Virgo like! My rucksack has been packed and unpacked at least twice now LOL - but hey if it ain't in there now it ain't going in!! Anyway, better stir my stumps and get sorted! Hopefully will try and post an update at Singapore! TTFN Kerry and Craig xx [View Full Entry]

By Rachelbeth
August 25th 2005

Hot Springs...hmmmm Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Hanmer Springs

Hole

South Island V-Cay: Day #10 Guess what?? Up early again this morning...not too much of a change from the past week, but I can't seem to sleep in anymore anyways! With my early start I took advantage of our premiere location and walked along the beach while I waited for the other two to finish packing...which is strange cause usually I'm the last one...yah I know that probably doesn't surprise anyone!! We left our Beach Paradise and drove to the highly recommended Truman Track beach hike...where you can sometimes see penguins!!! No such luck though...but we did have a go [View Full Entry]

By PHYSIO DAVE
August 25th 2005

Goodbye south island Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch

Old fashioned trams

Gem here, Well we have finally said goodbye to south island and are back with my parents in porangahau for a couple of days. Our last few days in Christchurch were good fun. We stayed at Amber Park campsite which was very freindly and only a short bus ride into the town centre. On tuesday we went to the Antarctic centre, well worth the visit, where we spent 3 hours, good fun and fascinating. They have a real snow room where you get dressed up and go down to -5 degrees (haven't we done this before?). Get to slide down an [View Full Entry]

By Hakuna_matata86
August 25th 2005

Hobbiton and Rotorua! Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Rotorua

Set off from Turtle Cove for Rotorua at 8.25am! Stopped in Hobbiton! Typical Tourist picture by the village sign etc! Onwards to Rotorua! Went to the Gondola and Luges before checking in. The view was spectacular, and even more so from the skyswing which launches you at 150-200kph over the view! Not being one to love heights having been strapped in and winched to the top ready for release, I had the release cable! IE I had to take my hands off the hand bars to let us go.....Ahhhhhhh! The luges though were amazing, a need for speed, was a bargin [View Full Entry]

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]

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