Waitangi Meeting House

A month or so ago we visited Waitangi, in Paihia as the area has been upgraded to included a museum named Te Kongahu. Unfortunately for me I left my camera in the car and had to make do with my cellphone camera, so these photos are not the best quality.

This building in these photos is the meeting house which was built in 1940 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the treaty representing all tribes of NZ. The Treaty of Waitangi was made between Maori Chiefs and the British Crown on 6th February 1840 and every years we remember this day as a public holiday. One thing I noticed inside the museum was one of the plaques on the wall said that the treaty was our country's first human right's document. So true, as the Maori Chiefs were not given representation or a language interpreter so therefore they had no idea of what they were signing. I found the whole experience very humbling and a huge learning experience.

Watch those neighbours

On our last visit out to Opito Bay, we were walking along the beach next to the only road in and out of there and saw this sight peeking over once of the fences. At first I though that maybe they were watching us because don't get many people out there but it took us a minute to realize that these are actually painted heads to give people that feeling they were being watched. Quite funny really!

Ferry ride to KohuKohu

There is a car ferry which runs from Rawene to Kohukohu every hour each day but passengers can also get rides on it too. We were one of about 10 cars waiting to get on and once on we had to stay in our car after paying. This was the view of the coastline that I took with my camera from my side, in the distance (you can't see it) there is an old church with a very tall steeple that we will come back and visit at some point.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Maori carvings at Paihia

New Zealand is full of wonderfully creative Maori carvings. These ones are located in Paihia, next to the Te Teriti O Waitangi house.

They are also known as Pou or Pouwhenua - Pou meaning "pillar" and Whenua meaning "land", painted red and black they certainly stand out.

The Dog Tax War Mural

On the side wall of the Rawene 4 square (kind of like a corner shop or small store) is this mural painted in memory of the historic Dog Tax War of 1898. Apparently the annual tax was introduced because many people, especially Maori around the area owned dogs for hunting and they thought it was a type of discrimination against them.

In the 1890s a dog tax was introduced of 2 shillings and sixpence. The Maori people from Kaikohe West through to the harbour were opposed to it including Waima's Hone Toia not only because many used their animals for hunting but because the tax represented the erosion of their chieftainship. Toia said "first they're going to tax dogs, then they're going to tax people". The stand off occurred when an armed Toia with fewer than 20 men marched to Rawene. Although no blood was shed, the government sent a 120 strong force to the town where he was arrested and served time in old Mount Eden prison.

Unfortunately I've been unable to find the artist of this work but it is located near the Rawene Ferry wharf at the bottom of the main street in the Hokianga.

Linking up with Monday Murals and Our World Tuesday.

Omanaia historical church

Last Sunday on our travels around the area this church caught my eye from the main highway and we turned into the driveway to check it out.

Omanaia Historical Church was apparently founded in 1884 and is the second oldest standing church building in the Hokianga district.

There was a heaviness in the air but we couldn't believe it when I tried the front door and it was unlocked. This is the interior - looks like someone has really looked after this property as other churches we've explored are in nowhere near as good condition.

Halloween at work

Happy Halloween for those of you who are in the Northern Hemisphere. For us Southerners we had our day yesterday. Most of the people at my work dressed up in different ways.

Luckily I had a nurses costume I purchased a few years ago, all I did was splatter it with red food colouring and put some makeup on. This is me with one of the girls from another department - she dressed up as a witch.

This is me with a good friend at work, she also was a witch. Good day - we had lots of compliments from customers and it was good to see so many people get into it. Enjoy your day :-)