Hokitika (our hostel in the background above the Jade Factory!)

Punakaiki and Hokitika

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April 3rd 2010
From Nelson, we headed west to the coast and then south to the very small town (about 7/8 buildings!) of Punakaiki. On the way we travelled through some pretty spectacular mountains, with lots of low lying cloud - another place where Lord of the Rings was apparently filmed. In Punakaiki we stayed in a bizarre lodge type place which was just set back from the coast in thick rainforest. What was eve ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » South Island » Punakaiki

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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... ... read more