Wednesday 25th February
Bay of Islands
Today we have arrived at the Bay of Islands which is on the north island of New Zealand. This is yet another tender port. The tenders take us to Waitangi and our tour starts at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds which overlooks the Bay of Islands. This is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 between the Maori and British Crown. The treaty was the starting point for the two cultures to build the one nation of New Zealand. On the Treaty grounds is the house owned by James Busby who was a British resident in New Zealand who helped draw up the treaty. Close by is a beautiful Maori Whare Runanga - a meeting house. The carvings inside represent the main Maori tribes. This photo was taken inside the meeting house. Before you enter you have to remove your shoes. We also saw the largest Maori waka taua (war canoe) - it was built in 1940 to mark the centenary of signing the treaty and needs 80 men to paddle it. The views from the Treaty Grounds across the Bay of Islands was really lovely. After this we went for a drive through the surrounding area, we saw lots of kiwi fruit orchards and forests. We stopped across the river from two of oldest buildings in the country - Kemp House - the oldest wooden European building and next to it Stone Store -the oldest stone building which was formerly a trading post. We then went on to see Harura Falls a small horseshoe shaped falls. After our tour ended we went into the small town of Paihia and had lunch at a lovely restaurant overlooking the water. This is a really beautiful area.