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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 the kemps
October 2nd 2009

Milford Sound and Lake Wanaka Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Wanaka

The journey begins

We left very early to start the journey to Milford Sound, unfortunately in the rush, a tragedy occurred, Ted, the turtle that I bought as a replacement for Barclay must have dropped out of the van and his final resting place was Te Anau - bye Ted. Luckily Tel decided to drive and I was very grateful, its basically a twisty turny road round hairpin bends and tunnels through the southern Alps, amazing but also nauseating in a car! We made it just in time to get the afternoon boat and were talked into buying the special winter package of barbeque [View Full Entry]

By Laurene
October 2nd 2009

Coastal Walk Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Taupo

Lake Taupo

We stopped in town to mail some postcards and then started off on the coastal walk. It was pretty cold and cloudy but not raining. Lots of black swans, ducks and seagulls wandering around. Saw some baby ducks. There was a couple of really nice houses right on the lake overlooking it. I had to take a couple of pics. They probably cost a lot with the view they have. I got really tired of walking so I turned around and headed back to the hostel and Meike kept on walking. I listened to some of the Flames game on the [View Full Entry]

By Sunriseoversea
October 1st 2009

Surfing NZ... Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Raglan

My first surf was awesome!! The lesson (29th Sept) began in a large hangar and we were told some safety stuff and basic techniques for how to stand up on the board. The one-pop and four step techniques, the four step technique involved leaning heavily on my right knee which was not possible for me so I pretty much only had the option of doing the one-pop technique (which is generally the recommended one anyway). The one pop technique basically involves pushing yourself off the board in a sort of press-up motion (but with your hands further back) and then landing [View Full Entry]

By Nuke
October 1st 2009

Roundup Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Queenstown

DSCF0772

Info and picture details to come ... [View Full Entry]

By ICELilly
October 1st 2009

Stuck in New Zealand...DARN! Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch

The long, difficult flight is over. And it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought. I completley missed 9/30 due to flying through time zones, and it is now 10/2 in New Zealand. 10/2 :( The second anniversary of the worst day of my life. It's kind of strange being in New Zealand alone, but it's also a little confusing. It's 10/2 here, but it's only 10/1 in the States. So what day is it? Not that it matters, really, that day already happened. And it happened on 10/2 two years ago. And I miss her no matter what day it [View Full Entry]

By Eluned
October 1st 2009

Dunedin Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Dunedin

Dunedin train station
Apparently the most photographed building in NZ

Back on the road again! Got my backpack packed, and back to living in dorms. Went to Dunedin, nice place. First hostel had creepy guys in the dorms, so switched to another one that had a cat! I love hostels that have nice cats (not like the hostel in Wanaka that had a nasty demon cat). We spent the day walking round the Botanic Gardens then hauling ourselves up Baldwin Street. The morning before I went to Queenstown on the bus I went on a tour of Speights Brewery, I now feel I know everything about beer. Nice beer though! But [View Full Entry]

By Laurene
October 1st 2009

Huka Falls Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Taupo

River

Finally some sun!!!! We were so happy we threw on shorts and headed out to Huka falls. A 20 minute walk from our hostel to get to the start of the hike and then an hour and a half hike from there. We walked along the river on a trail to get there. The Huka falls are really just white water rapids. The wide river has to go through a narrow section which creates the falls. We did the long hike back and finished just as the clouds started coming in. Stopped for a quick lunch ( a meat pie from [View Full Entry]

By RV Travel
September 30th 2009

Otago Peninsula Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Otago

If you are seeking a wildlife experience in New Zealand, or just want to talk the language of wildlife in New Zealand then it should be the Otago Peninsula. Aside from Royal Albatrosses and yellow eyed penguins, you can also find sea lions and the occasional sea elephant but the only mainland colony of albatrosses is at the Taiaroa Head which also have seals, penguins and commorants around. Otago Peninsula is located in Dunedin, South Island this haven features deep river gorges and a series of river basins. It stretches along the southern edge of the Otago harbour. You can reach [View Full Entry]

By Ferdi and Talita
September 30th 2009

Day 245-247: Haruru Falls to Auckland, New Zealand Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland

Friendly calves
Mahoe Cheese Factory

Monday, September 28th We woke to a gray morning poring with rain. For breakfast we made banana pancakes, then piled into the 7-seater Smit mobile and drove into town to visit the iSite. We needed to get info on what to do in the area when the weather's bad. We started of with a Cheese Factory. The directions were bad so we ended up driving up and down trying to find it. Finally Mel found a map that showed the location of the factory, but when we arrived we found the shop unattended. We took a peak through the windows but [View Full Entry]

By jujubee
September 30th 2009

More days.... Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Dunedin

LakeTekapo07b

Day 11 15th September- Colvile Farm to Whitianga Unfortunately today we had to leave the farm and move on in our trip as there is so much to see and not enough time! We started of by stopping at the little store in Colvile (very little store) to stock up on milk, butter and bread. We then started driving off to the far north of the Coromandel Peninsula; the drive was amazing all pretty much unsealed road untouched coastline of turquoise color! We then drove back through Colville back down to Coromandel town and on towards Whitianga arriving in Whitianga we [View Full Entry]

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