Dolphins jumping

Farewell to the South Island

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April 9th 2012
After 6 1/2 weeks on the South Island we have crossed Cook's Strait and are now sitting on the docks in Wellington. Since our last blog we visited Hanmer Springs - a small alpine village whose origins go back to the late 1800's when the benefits of the natural hot springs drew people 'to take the waters'. Shortly thereafter, a sanitorium was built and its main feature was to pro ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Wellington » Carterton

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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