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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 Ferdi and Talita
October 5th 2009

Day 253-257: Auckland, New Zealand Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland » North Shore

An evening walk on Long Bay beach

Tuesday, October 6th Just when we had packed away most of our cold weather stuff winter decides to come back with a vengeance. Not only was there a mad gunman on the loose in the central north island, the snow also closed two roads down there. When Ferdi went downstairs to get some of our winter clothes he found a pamphlet given to us by mom Corné months before we left. It deals with the periods between the seasons of life. We realized that this is exactly where we find ourselves now. We are "between seasons", a frustrating, confusing and uncertain [View Full Entry]

It's still a bit chilly, but the fresh air is worth it!

Nicol saving the ocean from the terrible cone

By Laurene
October 5th 2009

It's like a blizzard!!! Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park

Made some breakfast, watched the snow going crazy and really felt like I was back at home haha. Today I did a lot of reading, read most of my book, watched another movie, the next stray bus came in and a guy from Edmonton was put in my room. Always fun haha. Made our dinner early which was lucky since the power went out again but this time it wasn't coming back on. We sat by one of the fires to stay warm. Matt, an Aussie guy who was working on the ski hill for the winter decided to try to [View Full Entry]

By Leanne and Simon
October 5th 2009

We jumped out of a plane!!! Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Islands » Paihia

Skydive

Auckland, Sept 1 - Sept 4 Bay of Islands, Sept 5 - Sept 13 Jumping out of a plane at 12,000ft is probably one of the most terrifiyng things we have ever done. Actually it is the most terrifying thing we have ever done. You may be wondering how Simon, who is afraid of heights, managed to do this extraordinary feat. The fact is he didn't really have a choice. Within 15 minutes of inquiring about the possibility of maybe doing a skydive in Paihia we were en route to the airfield where we were met by the tiniest plane you [View Full Entry]

By SineadandPhilippeRTW
October 5th 2009

North Island: Kiwi's, Glowworms, Rotten Eggs and Rotten Weather! Oceania » New Zealand » North Island

The Kiwi House

We left Auckland in Bitsy armed with a list of the places we would like to visit (thanks to Elisha) but with no clear schedule of where we would stay. We had booked the ferry for early on the morning of the 6th, but that was our only deadline. We headed south. Our first scheduled stop was at the Waitomo Caves however en route we passed by the Kiwi House in Otorohanga. We shrugged at each other and said why not? We are not bird lovers, but the Kiwi bird only comes out at night, so we were unlikely to see [View Full Entry]

By Laurene
October 4th 2009

Rain rain go away.... Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Tongariro National Park

Woke up to pouring rain. It was miserable out. Not only was it raining but it was SOOO COLD!! Well, not cold like Canada but cold when you're not expecting it and have no proper clothes for it! We just hung out at the hostel trying to stay warm, by the way NZ doesn't have very good heating systems!!! Had some lunch, looked out the window and saw snow...yep...snow. Was not expecting that! We watched another movie, had dinner and then the power kept shutting off and turning back on and then shut off for a good hour. The hostel had [View Full Entry]

By McHearns
October 4th 2009

Visit to Matakohe - Kauri Museum Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Matakohe

Vintage Cars
The vintage cars were on display

On Saturday 3 October we visited the museum for the "Settlers' Day event. Lots of people were there and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy the day. Michael and Cathy were there also - with Jason and Anita also a friend of Jason. [View Full Entry]

By Eluned
October 4th 2009

Queenstown - for the 3rd time Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Queenstown

The park
Such a nice day! Kind of cold though

Back in Queenstown - again. Will be joining up with Stray I think, just to go down to the bottom of the South Island. Think I'm going to see Milford Sound tomorrow, which should be awesome as I've heard so much about how beautiful it is. I ran into Melissa and Lindsey, two girls that I met here back in May, this is seriously a small place. I also ran into a guy that I shared a dorm with back in Christchurch, though I have no memory of him at all! Strange. Today's a nice lazy day, that I'm going to [View Full Entry]

By roesweld
October 4th 2009

In New Zealand again Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Te Aroha

Chrissy on Olvera Street

Hello again to all our friends that read about our travels. We appreciate your interest and would value your prayers while we are on our trip. We left Columbus on Thursday, 30 Sept., and stayed one night in Los Angeles. We spent the day going downtown and seeing Olvera Street, a little historic Mexican street. It hadn't changed much from when we took the children there when they were younger. We also drove out to Azusa for Jim to see some of his old haunts at Azusa-Pacific College. It had changed so much that there wasn't one building that Jim recognized. [View Full Entry]

By saltandpepper
October 4th 2009

S&P brave the Milford (no) the Kepler Track in New Zealand Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Queenstown

At the start of the Kepler
Peter - ready to go!!

Arrival - Day 1&2: S&P arrive in NZ at Christchurch. Peter assures Sandra it's only a two hour drive to Te Anau in a hire car booked on an obscure website based in the Netherlands. Two hours later in an empty terminal and a number of telephone calls later (one to the Netherlands) we have a very little silver (cute) car! (it was a bargain). Two days later we arrived in Te Anau (after an overnighter in a wonderful coastal pub at Temaru with a wine list as long as your arm...and a fireplace to boot). It is (allegedly) spring so [View Full Entry]

By Ferdi and Talita
October 4th 2009

Day 248-252: Auckland, New Zealand Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland » North Shore

From the lack of pictures in this issue of our blog it should be apparent to the casual observer that not much happened in the last few days. We hope you still enjoy hearing from us even though pulling teeth might be more entertaining. Anyway, lets get on with it… Happy birthday to our sister Lindy and our friend Megan! Hope you had a fantastic day and may God bless you with many joyful years to come. Thursday, October 1st Today we said a sad farewell to our van, The Three Sisters. We spent 65 days together, covered 7510 trouble free [View Full Entry]

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