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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 Laurenloz
October 9th 2009

New Zealand Oceania » New Zealand

Auckland harbour

Nueva Zealanda, as we couldn’t help thinking of it on arrival, took a while to adjust to. It was good week until we managed to shrug off the automatic ‘Hola,’ and relax into the ease of thinking in our own native tongue. Now, I fear, much of our Spanish is already lost. The North Island The flight was long, uncomfortable and predominantly sleepless and on arrival at the hostel (5am) we could not get in. There was no door bell. A trip down to the internet cafe and a skype call later, we were admitted into a dingy hostel and an [View Full Entry]

3D Harry Potter... another diversion from going back to our hostel

Our second night... better than outside an on farm killing service

By saranakash
October 9th 2009

Auckland, day 1 Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland

Meyers park

On Thursday October 8th, After a 12 hour delay at LAX due to a bird flying in to our plane (everyone is ok, except for the bird who unfortunately died), I finally landed in Auckland, NZ to embark on an adventure of a lifetime. But first it was time for bed. I went to sleep as soon as I got to ACB hostel in Auckland which was around midnight. This was a good thing, since I have not had any jetlag even though there’s a 19 hour time difference between New Zealand and New York. The next day, Friday October 9th, [View Full Entry]

By roesweld
October 9th 2009

New Zealand Sentimental Journey Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Te Aroha

Puss-Puss, the resident cat.

We have had a couple of quiet days, but still able to see some former friends and find some new ones. Since we were in town, we went to visit the grave of our dear friend, Frank Ranger, who passed away last summer. While we were there, we were able to witness a very touching and poignant vignette of love and devotion. A man, who looked in his 80's, parked behind our car and got out a folding chair and bag and went to sit by his wife's grave. He then got out some sandwiches and a thermos and proceeded to [View Full Entry]

By Deirdre and Diarmuid
October 9th 2009

Lake Toupo - Fishing Haven Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Taupo

Fishing on Lake Toupo

Hi all, We arrived in Lake Toupo in the late afternoon, the scenic journey down was less than a couple of hours, and not surprisingly in almost winter the forest fire signs were all set to low. As soon as we arrived in Toupo, Diarmuid bought a fishing licence and quizzed the shop assistant on the best fishing spots. So with all the equipment and information needed off we went up the Waikato River for some dusk fishing. Parts of the river are only used for fly fishing but between the control bridge and Huka Falls you can fish with a [View Full Entry]

By Cassidy
October 9th 2009

Northland Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Waitomo Caves

It has been a very eventful last couple of days! Sunday night I had a change of plans, and instead of going straight to Wellington like I thought, I decided to grab a ride with two of my new homies (one of whom owns a van) to the region North of Auckland. We were planning on leaving Monday night but neither Will or Janelle could break their reservation at our hostel, Bamber House, so we couldn’t leave until Tuesday morning. Monday night was miserable- there wasn’t enough room in Bamber House for me to stay, so I ended up at a [View Full Entry]

By Eluned
October 9th 2009

Onward to Invercargill Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Southland

World's Fastest Indian Car
Technically, a motorbike, but it looks like a car

Back on the Stray bus for the second day of our intrepid adventure. Going on to Invercargill, then catching the ferry to Stuart Island to spend the night. I had previously been told by an Invercargill resident that the place was a dump, so really not expecting much. But it was surprisingly nice. I don't know what I'd think if I spent more than a couple of hours there, but I have nothing to complain about. Went to the museum, saw the Tuatoras - the oldest animals in the world (I think). Very exiting. Also saw the car-motorbike thing that was [View Full Entry]

By Laurene
October 9th 2009

Rainy rainy day Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington

Today it was POURING rain out. We didn’t even want to go outside. Meike read while I job searched for most of the day. I emailed a hostel in Picton where you can work for your accommodations and they emailed me back right away to let me know that I can come anytime I want. I will go there on October 14th and get out of Windy Welly and off to the South Island!! We went out to the supermarket which is only a 5 minute walk and got soaked! So you guessed it, after dinner we watched another movie haha. [View Full Entry]

By Sunriseoversea
October 8th 2009

Hitching my way to Wellington... Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington

In the evening (5th October) Alex, Dan and Me just did the usual chill out and jam type session and had great fun. It was becoming very clear to me that I was going to miss these guys! Kindly Alex had offered for me to stay at his house in Wanako on the South Island when I'm down there, so at least I will see him again! I'm going to try and meet up with Dan again when I have to head north for my return flight! Alex continued to crack me up with his puns that he managed to make [View Full Entry]

By Eluned
October 8th 2009

Milford Sound + Gunn's Camp Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Fiordland National Park » Milford Sound

The Mirror Lakes

Day one of the Stray Adventure! Getting on the bus with a load of people who had already been on the bus together for ages was the tiniest bit strange. There's all these bus games about Spaceships and tractors or something? I have no idea if every Stray bus does them or if ours was just weird. On the way to Milford Sound to begin with, though stopped in Te Anau for an extremely delicious veggie pie. Mmmm. Then on a phote stop we ran into a Korean filming crew, making a documentary about the mammoths in the ice age (I [View Full Entry]

By Laurene
October 8th 2009

Te Papa Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington

Te papa museum

Walked into town and looked around at a couple of shops before heading for some lunch. Mom, I had eggs benedict which was good but no where near as good as yours!!! We headed to Te Papa museum which is free. It's a huge museum with 6 floors of stuff to look at and a few interactive things. There is a section on Maori culture and polynesian culture. They also have a giant squid that is preserved in some liquid. I couldn't get a good picture of it but it's HUGE. We walked around there until our feet hurt and we [View Full Entry]

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