The statue of Wairaka in front of Whale Island

Whakatane

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October 23rd 2008
After taking the decision not to do the 10 hour round trip to Windy Wellington, we followed the sun up to Whatakane on the eastern side of the Bay Of Plenty. Abi held her nose as we drove through smelly Rotorua and as soon as we got into town, an hour later, not only did we spot where we were staying but found loads of shops to peruse in the spring sunshine. The Pacific Coast here is magnifi ... read more

Oceania » New Zealand » North Island » Bay of Plenty » Whakatane

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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