New Zealand week one

After three days in Singapore we flew to Auckland, New Zealand's last city, to spend the weekend with our daughter. After that she headed south to Wanganui for work and we headed north to the Bay of Islands.

The Far North of NZ has a sub-tropical climate so even in the depths of the winter (ie August) the sun was shining and the temperature was about 18C.

We enjoyed the beautiful coastal scenery of the Bay of Islands and our visit to the nearby treaty site of Waitangi was a highlight. Known as the birthplace of the nation, it was here that a treaty was signed between the Maoris and the Crown in 1840 which continues to shape New Zealand life to this day.

The original buildings are still intact and the setting on the edge of the bay is stunningly beautiful. In addition there is a Maori meeting house from the 1930s where we witnessed the Maori Cultural Experience (above).

Maori Meeting House Waitangi

 Here are some pictures from our travels around the Bay of Islands in New Zealand's far north:

 

The site of the first act of Christian worship in New Zealand (1819). The building is later.