Holy Trinity--the Auckland Anglican Cathedral

We set off to take a walk and stumbled across the Anglican Cathedral











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Prince

We spent an Auckland morning with Prince, a local Maori who was waiting for us at the Auckland Museum.





Prince greeted us on the traditional Maori manner, shared his heritage, local Maori history and Maori life today.
Later he walked us around the Auckland Domain, the largest city park including some very nice gardens.





In the park we were met by Prince's wife Catherine, who prepared a lovely picnic tea for us.









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Whangarei Falls

We made several stops on the all day return drive to Auckland. In the town of Whangarei (remember the "wh" is the "f" as i fun sound!) to see 26m hight falls. Very pretty setting and we were able to take a little circle trail around.






Next we stopped to see an albatross that had just been brought into a bird sanctuary. We had hoped to see a kiwi, the national bird but didn't. The albatross had been picked up on the beach exhausted. When it regains it's strength it will be taken how to see and lifted into the air to take off and hopefully find his mates.
One more stop to a popular surfing beach. This is summer holiday break for everyone so this location was quite busy with a large camping park. Brewed coffee is not so good but we do fine great cappucinos!



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Keri Keri and Haruru Falls

En rte back from the Puketi Forest we stopped at the delightful village of Keri Keri. The town name means "dig, dig!" This area is known for its fertile farmland and Keri Keri oranges. Also kiwifruit are grown there. We quickly learned that the fruit is to be called "KIVIFRUIT" and not kiwi. The NZers call themselves "Kiwis!" Keri Keri is located on the Keri Keri River which near town empties into the Bay of Isles.





Next we stopped at Haruru Falls for a hike along the Waitangi River. Along the way was saw many King Cormorants and their nests. The chicks were just learning to fly.









Not sure how tall the falls are but you can see from the photo that they are good size.









Weather so far has been lovely with temps never higher than the low 70's.

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Puketi Kauri Forest

We drove north to the lovely Puketi Forest, location of the last major stand of ancient Kauri trees in NZ. These huge ancient trees have a huge canopy often 100+ feet tall and are now protected. It is impossible to imagine their size from the photos. They are HUGE!




The walk through the forest was peaceful and beautiful.





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New Zealand Fern Tree

This is a NZ tree fern. They are found all over the country and while very slow growing they also grow very tall....not nearly as tall as the Kauri tree, however.
ovwe 300 different types of ferns are found here. Walking in the forests sometimes makes you think the environment is prehistoric. This is one of the reasons that so many movies such as Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit have been filmed here.



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Waiitangi Treaty, Bay of Islands

We went to visit the site of the signing of the Waitangi Treaty signifying the birth of New Zealand as a country. At this site the much-contested treaty ws signed between the Maori Chiefs and the British Crown in 1840. It is a beautiful spot overlooking the Bay of Islands.


We were met by a very handsome and articulate young Maori who told us about the Maori who today represent about 16% of the population. No humans lived in NZ until the Maori arrived about 1000 years ago.


He told us about how visitors are greeted at the whare runanga (meeting house) and them shoeless we entered the ceremonial site.





Later we visited the colonial home of James Busby where the treaty was signed. Captain Cook was the first white man to arrive and setters came in the early 19th century from England.


Behind the home is a lovely garden.


Before leaving we were taken to see one of the largest war canoes or waka tauras which held over 120 warriors.





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