We are currently in the North of the North Island - Bay of Islands. We rented a 'wreck' this morning in Auckland - "she's not a new vehicle, but she's cheap". Took the scenic route - stopped for lunch in Whangerei, then drove via the Tutukaka coast. Oh .. so much fun attempting to pronounce the Maori names of places! The drive up here was absolutely breathtaking from just 1 hour outside the city and onwards. We invested in some top quality binoculars (obviously solely for 'bird watching' purposes) in Auckland and saw so many amazing birds on the way up. Owen would have been in his element. Nearly ran over a New Zealand eagle which flew in front of us. Saw birds such as - kingfishers, oystercatchers, eagles etc. We also spotted some awesome roadkill on the journey .. possums a plenty! Dame Edna would be devastated. We checked into the hostel in Paihia, booked a sailing trip for tmrw then headed to Waitangi (where the first British settlers arrived and the treaty of Waitangi,which was introduced by Queen Victoria, was signed by the great Maori chiefs of NZ in 1840 when NZ then became British territory). We heard about the history of NZ since the British settlers arrived and then walked around the grounds and treaty house where it all took place. We then went to the Haruru falls - which were really pretty. Looking forward to sailing tmrw - apparently they give some beginners tuition so should be fun. Hoping to spot some penguins, albatross and dolphins.