Travel Blog » Oceania » New Zealand

New Zealand Travel Blogs

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.

New Zealand

Map of New Zealand

New Zealand's Flag

Hostels in New-Zealand
Latest New Zealand Blog Entries
New Zealand Photos

By Rusty Broon
October 31st 2009

Edoras - "There and Back" a Hobbits tale by Russell and Anne Baggins Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Christchurch

Christchurch 099
King Theoden's sword (Herugrim)

Ello All We arrived in Christchurch at around 4 on Friday. The temperature difference was noted straight away, it is freezing!! Nice and sunny but much colder than Australia, we have had to ditch the shorts and go for jeans and hoodies, booh!! The air feels crisp and fresh which is lovely! We got a bus from the airport to the city centre. Christchurch itself is very very British looking. It is lovely, very nice, and safe and everyone is chillaxed to the max. Not going to go into Christchurch too much as we are going to go out and get [View Full Entry]

By BenandCharmaine
October 31st 2009

Halloween party Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Auckland

Me and Cat he-she

We woke up a bit late today after going to bed kinda late last night. I was adamant that I was going to get a camera and see if we could find a charger for Charmaines camera too. So after a few opinions and trying to spend money wisely but effectively I am now the proud owner of a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35. Wahooo...Even though I had to pay over the odds as it seems that New Zealand and Australia are not friends with Amazon and EBay which sucked as I paid more than I needed too...by alot! Never mind, I was [View Full Entry]

By Feral Mike
October 31st 2009

CYCLE TOUR - BREAKING NEWS - BEAST OF BURDEN UNSEATS RIDER Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Ninety Mile Beach

At Ahipara
About to start riding on the beach - 83 kilometres to Te Paki Stream

DRAMA ON NINETY MILE BEACH Cycle tourist Feral Mike has been thrown from his bike, known as the Beast of Burden, in a moment of drama on a Northland beach. The incident happened on Ninety Mile Beach, as the pair were within three kilometres of exiting at Te Paki Stream. At a hastily called news conference in Kaitaia this afternoon, Feral Mike said the Beast had been behaving perfectly up until that moment. But the Beast allowed a crosswind to let it veer off course into a soft patch of sand. The Beast buried his front wheel into the sand [View Full Entry]

By Leanne and Simon
October 31st 2009

A deeper shade of blue Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

October, 31 - Nov 2 Don't be alarmed by the title of this entry. We aren't depressed - no work, lie-ins, amazing experiences - we have no reason to be blue. Unlike Lake Tekapo. The lake is fed by glacial melt waters that contain finely ground rock particles which give it the most amazing colours - something to do with refraction of the light. The lake contains the bluest water we have ever seen that seems to change hue depending on the light. It looks almost opaque, like water in a jar that is used to rinse brushes coated in blue [View Full Entry]

By Feral Mike
October 31st 2009

CYCLE TOUR - AK47 FOR SALE Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Northland » Cape Reinga

For Sale - AK47
Never Used

AK47 FOR Sale New & Unused. Orginal AK47. Current owner planned office massacre unless he got time off. He no longer believes the 'American solution' is the answer. This weapon was purchased direct from the Russian manufacturer, it is not a cheap imitation from Pakistan's North West Frontier. Owner says must sell and end use is not important, but would prefer buyer to be someone with interest in clay bird shooting or similar. Price by negiotiation. FIRST GOAL ACHIEVED Zipping down the last three kilometres to the campsite was a relief, even though the road [View Full Entry]

By Marie and Mike
October 31st 2009

Lake Taupo Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Central Plateau

Picture 010

Kia Ora! Its Marie and Mike here, how are you all doing? Well I hope? As I type. It would seem that Spring has well and truly sprung...although its still seems really bizarre to me to see blossom on the trees and little duckling’s waddling about as we head into November! We’ve had a brilliant couple of weeks, and after working hard on some events at the Zoo we both decided we needed a break so we headed to Lake Taupo. Lake Taupo is an amazing region in the North Island, the lake itself was formed after a massive volcano eruption [View Full Entry]

By Ferdi and Talita
October 30th 2009

Day 271-273: Karamea, New Zealand Oceania » New Zealand » South Island

Karamea Market

Saturday, October 24th We slept late then went to the Saturday market. It’s only the second market event so far with about ten stalls selling farm produce, making music, face painting, hand made clothing etc. The market was on the lawn next to the Global Gypsy and we spent most of our time chatting to Bruce and getting to know some other interesting folks. After sammies we went to the Last Resort and Paddy explained to us, in his great Irish accent, exactly what he has in mind for his barn/house/workshop. It's an American style barn with the upper level as [View Full Entry]

Lewis with an egg in front of a chicken-tractor

By Ferdi and Talita
October 30th 2009

Day 274-276: Karamea, New Zealand Oceania » New Zealand » South Island

Talita enjoying the town kitty

Tuesday, October 27th Ferdi's stomach was feeling better today. After breakfast the group met and discussed what needed to be done and what our priorities were for the next few days. With that done Bruce started cutting oars for his boat while we assisted and helped where we could. Later Tim and Ferdi was given the responsibility to come up with a way to put the bench in the boat while Talita mixed play-dough in preparation for building the model of the tree (Thanks Mel for sending us the recipe). Sometime after 6pm we headed home where Talita and Tim prepared [View Full Entry]

Talita and Tim working on the model of the tree

By OJ Scott
October 29th 2009

Day 2: Mercury Bay -> Rotorua Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Rotorua

Filming location of Hobbiton in Matamata

We left Mercury Bay at 7.30am, and after a long drive we arrived in a little town called Matamata for a lunch stop. This place was the filming location for Hobbiton in the Lord Of The Rings movie, hence the sign with the Gollum statue! We then headed to our destination, Rotorua, which in my opinion was a bit of a dump. Greeted with heavy rain, the town is built over boiling mudpools and geysers, so sulphur dioxide rises up through the streets. Not good - the whole place smells of rotten eggs! It was 2pm when we arrived, and checking [View Full Entry]

By OJ Scott
October 28th 2009

Mercury Bay Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Coromandel » Whitianga

Kayaking to Catheral Cove

Monday 26th October - today I started the Kiwi Experience bus tour! Just before 9am the green Kiwi coach pulled into the Auckland youth hostel to pick up some of us. Everyone on the coach looked extremely knackered from non-stop flying and drinking! Today we were heading to Whitanga on the Coromandel Peninsula just off the north coast, and I couldn't wait to get out of Auckland and start seeing more of New Zealand. Along the way we all got to know each other. There's people from all over the world - Australia; Denmark; Switzerland; Israel and far too many Canadians! [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Oceania » New Zealand

New Zealand Travel Blogs, page 9

New Zealand Travel Blogs

New Zealand