maybe I want to come out of retirement!

A wee announcement  ... think I'll start blogging again. Not on Kiwitravelwriter but here on Blogger.  Here is a pics from Christchurch, where I've been for a week. Dogs waiting for their coffee drinking owners at The Boatshed

Cleopatra eyes

Check out the Cleopatra eyes on this Black-browed Albatross. #Kaikoura #NZ #Birds #seabirds

photo by Heather - the kiwitravelwriter

New Zealand week in Malaysia!

Malaysia was recently full of Kiwis participating in New Zealand Week 2014 – seven days of activities and events exploring and celebrating the links between the two nations.

The festival was entitled Lima Mata Ikan (meaning “five fish eyes”), and much was made of the fact that the Maori translation of this phrase is very similar: Rima Mata Ika.

There were collaborations between indigenous artists from both countries (using the title as a creative motif), showcases of New Zealand culture, products and businesses and tourism. Activities included a New Zealand Food Fair, cultural performances by an excellent kapa haka group, an eco-tourism seminar and a gala dinner featuring a video competition between joint New Zealand-Malaysia student teams.

An exhibition by the Te Puia Institute included the unveiling of a ceremonial Maori carving called “Pataka Taonga” (“storehouse of treasures”) in the Sarawak Art Museum.

Sarawak’s capital, Kuching, and Kuala Lumpur in Peninsular Malaysia were at the centre of the action and New Zealand’s Minister of Maori Affairs Dr Pita Sharples, who headed the delegation, was the keynote speaker at the indigenous eco-tourism event.

Delegates were hosted by New Zealand alumni living in Malaysia, of which there are a surprising number - more than 400 in Kuching alone! In Kuching, the event coincided with the Borneo Post International Education Fair (BPIEF) and 14 New Zealand universities and institutions of higher learning were participants.

Dr Sharples was optimistic about further inter-cultural exchange and educational opportunities. In Kuching he said: “From this New Zealand Week event, (until then) I didn’t realise that hundreds of Sarawakians have come through our universities. There’s even one university in New Zealand where there are 2300 students from Sarawak.”

“It’s great that these cultural exchanges are taking place between our two countries,” says Zalina Ahmad, director of Tourism Malaysia in New Zealand. “We have so much in common – you only have to look at the similarities between the Maori and Bahasa Melayu Malaysian language to realise this – and we can only strengthen our business and cultural links by celebrating these similarities in an enjoyable way.”

A fantail – piwakawaka, a cute NZ native bird, visits my apartment

 

 

Have you been to Waitangi - on Waitangi Day?

New Zealand is in my blood and bones, in my DNA. My family threw off the shackles of class; land-clearings in Scotland; potato famines in Ireland; and tin mine closures in Cornwall – arriving in New Zealand in the mid-1800s.

      The 1840 Treaty of Waitangi is what allowed us, and every migrant since,  to come to New Zealand and I was thrilled when Norman Kirks 3^rd Labour government made Feb 6^th a public holiday. The 1970s were a time of huge changes in race and gender issues in NZ and I, a 5^th generation kiwi, was glad to be a passionate part of the processes.

      That being so, I loved revisiting Waitangi last year for the celebrations and commemorations of this our country’s founding document and next year I’m planning on attending the day’s celebrations in Okains  Bay on Banks Peninsula.  Annually I attended the events in Christchurch but now actively encourage others to do something to acknowledge our national day. I’d love all new Zealanders to attend Waitangi Day, in Waitangi, at least once in their lifetime. It’s a great day there, but please just start by saying “Happy Waitangi Day.”

      Michael King, in The Penguin History of New Zealand says “And most New Zealanders, whatever their cultural backgrounds, are good-hearted, practical, commonsensical and tolerant. Those qualities are part of the national cultural capital that has in the past saved the country from the worst excesses of chauvinism and racism seen in other parts of the world. They are as sound a basis as any for optimism about the country’s future.” page 520.

      There will always be conflict and tensions around the day in Waitangi, they are legitimate and desirable debates that define a democracy, and for us, necessary.  Our Treaty was ignored by one partner in the agreement for over a hundred years then, as a result of our national protests and debate over apartheid, we finally looked into our own backyard. We still need to be looking and examining it – we have made much progress but, just as feminism and the 1970s progress has gone backwards, so too do we need to ensure we continue moving forward in our nation’s human rights and our legal and moral obligations agreed to by the signatories of document. 

      As Norman Kirk said about our holiday it is designed to give us “a full sense of nationhood” and I encourage you to celebrate our nation by at least saying to your friends and family, and people whose paths you cross on the day “Happy Waitangi Day” as we continued to build our nation.

Wellington sunrise

A simple guide for Christchurch NZ .. a local recommends

When in Christchurch, make sure you see the Canterbury Museum and right beside it, New Zealand's oldest Botanic Gardens.

While here, your food choices are wide, from Indian to Japanese, from Thai to Greek, and many, many, other ethnicities, and of course lots of upmarket cafés.

Your choices for dinner at night are huge too: my recommendation would be to combine Maori culture with your meal. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, is only 15 mins from the city centre - if you combine it with Kotane, the Maori Experience you will have an evening with a uniquely New Zealand flavour.

While there,( Willowbank) you will also be able to see our native kiwi in natural surroundings – this flightless bird is only found in New Zealand and we locals call ourselves kiwi too.

Make sure you visit the the multi-award-winning International Antarctic Centre: Christchurch has long been the jumping off place for Antarctic exploration – from Robert Falcon Scott right through to today. This will take the entire morning as you experience an arctic storm, learn about the Antarctic, take a ride on a real Antarctic all-terrain Hagglund vehicle, and spend ages with the very cute, rescued, penguins in New Zealands first indoor-outdoor penguin viewing area.

Another must-do is to take a guided bike tour! I can well recommend Christchurch Bike Tours for a two-hour trip from the city centre to Mona Vale. Christchurch is also called the City of the Plain so no hills and very comfortable retro bikes to travel on.

one of my favourite native birds .. the pukeko - part of the Christchurch coat of arms

 After burning up some energy, how about a kiwi favourite for dinner tonight? A New Zealand staple - fish and chips with tomato sauce are not low fat but something we really, really love as a treat. Eat them out of the paper wrapping, with your fingers and you will know another reason why we love them – no dishes to wash, just crunch up the paper and throw it in the rubbish. Enjoy your days in my old city.  See more tips for travel (worldwide) on my other blog

Bellbird (native NZ bird) arrives in New Zealands capital: welcome!

Female bellbird by Steve Attwood

Just received this news alert from Zealandia and thought it was worth reproducing in it's entirety -Heather Hapeta 

A female bellbird from an offshore island sanctuary has made a surprise journey to mainland sanctuary by the city Zealandia – turning up right under the nose of the Conservation Officer who originally banded her.

One month after Matu Booth helped transfer 60 bellbird from Kapiti Island to Mana Island for their Restoration Plan (a partnership between DOC and Friends of Mana Island (FOMI)) one of the birds he had attached leg bands to made a surprise appearance 25km away in Karori. Booth was doing his rounds last Friday at Zealandia when he noticed the newcomer.

“I immediately noticed the unfamiliar leg band combination - you do get very tuned in to those colours over time. There was a lot of interest from the resident males, they were chasing her and singing to her. I went into a bit of a tizzy and as soon as I got back to the office did a check on our database then emailed DOC and the Friends of Mana Island, who confirmed the bird was from their recent transfer. I helped set up the aviary for that transfer and banded nine birds myself – I’ve just checked my records and this happens to be one of those nine.”

Zealandia staff hope the new female will stay and add genetic variation for the local bellbird population. Conservation Manager Raewyn Empson was happy to hear about the sighting.

“She’s just in time for the spring breeding season so it would be absolutely fantastic if she sticks around. We have observed a high rate of dispersal with bellbird that makes it difficult to establish a population here – we see our birds, especially juvenile females, leaving the safety of the valley each year, often not to return. We’ve also seen the reverse - unbanded bellbird with different song dialects coming in to the sanctuary to breed; we know they’ve come from outside but we can’t know where from. It’s wonderful to get this information about the distance they can travel – she’s made a good choice if she decides to stay.”

Mana Island is closer to the mainland than Kapiti Island and Kapiti bellbirds are not banded. Banding gives conservationists useful information to track the success of translocations and resulting populations. Two of the birds from the same Kapiti-Mana transfer fell prey to mammalian pests on the mainland, one in Titahi Bay.

Although occasional single bellbirds were seen in the Wellington area before the sanctuary in Karori was fenced there was no breeding population – meaning they were functionally extinct. Bellbird are found naturally in forest parks including the Rimutakas and Tararuas but are at risk in unprotected areas from mammalian pests.

Swimming with dolphins?

Dolphins are some of the earth's most fascinating creatures and in the Bay of Islands they’re there all year – except the day I went looking!

The weather is overcast as we board the Great Sights Dolphin Eco-Experience boat and, despite this area having the warmest waters in New Zealand, I don’t have my swimming gear for swimming with the dolphins even though this tour includes a free swim with dolphins!

NOTE: In New Zealand, swimming with dolphins in the wild is subject to the Department of Conservations’ rules and regulations and the skipper’s discretion.

See more photos and my blog about this trip here

Take a road trip in New Zealands far north

My finger follows the Northlands Twin Coast Discovery route on the map. It’s been fun planning this trip to the ‘far north’ and now, behind the wheel of my rental, I’m off - first stop the coastal village of Tutukaka.

Waking to sunrise it’s not long before I’m checking into A Perfect Day get on their boat with a snorkel, fins and wetsuit ready to visit the world famous marine sanctuary, Poor Nights Island.

Once there the views above and below the water are breathtaking.  Schools of fish divide as they swim past me, while others carry on feeding on the food they have trapped up against the islands volcanic cliffs which continue straight down to the floor of the Pacific Ocean.

After exploring the world’s largest and beautiful sea-cave, Riko Riko and other islands which are part of the reserve and watching the gannets diving into the sea helped make this, for me, a ‘perfect day’ just as the company is called: over the next two weeks water and history feature high on my to-do list.

I visit the birthplace of New Zealand – the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. It’s not only historic and beautiful but also set in lush native bush and has guided tours and cultural performances night and day

 Soaring skywards with the Flying Kiwi’s parasail, New Zealand’s’ highest, has my adrenaline flowing. The take-off and landing was smooth and gentle and the views over the Bay of Islands was great despite my fear of heights and that I was flying single, not tandem or triple.

Still in the bay, I went dolphin watching but saw a pod of Orca, killer whales, feeding - no wonder the dolphins where hiding. However, it seems their genetic warning system about this top-of-the-food-chain mammal, has not caught up with the fact that, in New Zealand, orcas prefer sting-rays.

This was the first area settled by Europeans from the end of the 18^th century and The Duke of Marlborough in Russell is the centre of this history.  

My days fly and with a I-must-come-back-and-do list, I set my GPS for Kerikeri where I stay in eco-cottages nestled in the award-winning Wharepuke Subtropical Gardens and later arrive at Cape Reinga. It’s called Te Rerenga Wairua in Maori, this is a special place, culturally and ecologically, and many visitors from around the world reduce their carbon footprint by planting a native tree there.

Back down the twin-coast highway my next stop was at a Hokianga hotel right on the waterfront and within sight of the heads that the great Polynesian explorer, Kupe, sailed through many generations ago. If the Bay of Islands is the cradle of Pakeha history, this whole area is the cradle of Maori history.

A young girl joins her mum and aunties on the stage

Two of the activities here celebrate both nature and Maori culture.  Footprints Twilight Encounter was very special and even Lonely Planet rated it highly (Code Green Experience of a Lifetime).  One evening I joined one of Kupe’s descendants, and six other travellers, on a guided walk to the two largest kauri trees in the world. Being in the forest at night was very special for sounds and sights. 

The next day another of Kupe's descendants stood with me on top of the giant sand dunes on the opposite side of the Hokianga Harbour regaling me with stories of the past with its intrigues, wars, deception and fun – even better, only three people fit in the dune buggy so it’s an exclusive trip!

Further south on State Highway 12 is the Kauri Museum.  This had been given such great press by travellers I’d met along the way that it had a lot to live up to. One of the amazing things I find about this world-class, award winning, museum is that it is administered by a charitable trust. Showcasing the very best of the Kauri Coast, it not only has amazing pieces of Kauri gum arts and crafts but also magnificent antique furniture and working machinery - whatever your interests, social history, art, nature, science, furniture, jewellery, machinery, culture, the Kauri Museum and its history of the beautiful golden amber gum will keep you occupied for hours. Tell them I sent you!

For more stories about New Zealand, and the rest of the world follow travel my blog as well as this one!

Blue skies, blue sea, great views

Lonely Planet top ten regions includes NZ and Borneo

Here are Lonely Planet’s picks of the regions to put on your map from Best in Travel 2012. Chosen by a panel of Lonely Planet experts, they’ve been written up by Lonely Planet authors to give you that most contagious of ailments: the travel bug.

1. Coastal Wales

2. La Ruta Maya, Central America

3. Northern Kenya

4. Arunachal Pradesh, India

5.  Hvar, Croatia

6. Sicily

7. Maritime Provinces, Canada

8. Queenstown & Southern Lakes, New Zealand (Make sure you check out the South Island – my birthplace and particularly Christchurch on your way south - the KTW)

There isn’t a bad time to turn up in the world’s top adventure playground. There are nonstop outdoor activities year-round in the resort towns of Queenstown, Wanaka and Te Anau, as well as the surrounding mountains, lakes and national parks. It’s not just the unbelievable alpine scenery. Where else can you ski in the morning and golf or water-ski in the afternoon? Head out hiking and drink water from mountain streams…then down more potent liquids in vibrant resort nightlife when the sun goes down. Raft down white-water rapids, tandem paraglide from craggy peaks or hike world-class trails such as the Milford, Routeburn and Hollyford tracks. Add excellent wineries and superb restaurants, and what more is there to say? - Craig McLachlan

9. Borneo (YAY: I’m off there in 2012 - theKTW)

 Borneo is one of the last remaining tropical paradises that won’t break the bank. The East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, tiny but oil-rich Brunei and Indonesian Kalimantan are home to the world’s oldest rainforests, the region’s third-highest peak and some of the world’s best diving. The indigenous Dayak peoples add a layer of intriguing cultural complexity and, of course, there is also that cutest of primates – the cheeky orang-utan. Shawn Low

10. Poitou-Charentes, France

Read the complete Lonely Planet article here

Tui sings and NZ is in the RWC finals

Like most kiwi, this tui ( a native NZ bird) sings for the All Blacks

New Zealand plays France for this cup next weekend - the Webb Ellis Cup, in the Rugby World Cup

Tonga beat the French: Rugby World Cup NZ 2011

Tonga beat the French in the Rugby World Cup (RWC) NZ 2011 yesterday - here are some highlights from day - players and fans!

French captain interviewed after their 19-14 loss

un baggette

French fans fold up their flag

pre-game challenge

photographers line up

Jubilant Tongan captain

go hard Tonga

Tongan haka at start of game

Very happy players

A trumphant Haka after the game

who are the women in this flag ... and why are they on it?