Stock car racing

We spotted this stock car in Murchison last time we were there about a year and a half ago. Looks a bit beat up and well used but I do enjoy going to events where cars like this race. The signwriting on the car suggests to me that it's from Nelson.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Womens Suffrage Day

 

On 19th September 1893 women in New Zealand won the right to vote in elections. As a result the country became the first self-governing country in the world to extend this right to ALL women. Suffrage day celebrates the aims of the movement for gender equality and is a reminder of the ongoing issue of equality for women. With our general elections coming up in October I hope everyone will use their right to vote.

This photo is so special for me. The lady is my great great grandmother Catherine McKenna who emigrated to New Zealand from Ireland in the 1870s and signed the suffrage list as it was gathering movement in the 1880s and 1890s - the baby she is holding is my grandmother on my mother's side Catherine Janet Dunlop.  

I've always been a strong minded person with an opinion, I come from a line of strong women of which I have raised my daughter to be the same. If we don't vote like our ancestors wanted us to then we are wasting all their hard work.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Kereru

Another visitor we've had in the Kowhai tree in my front garden is this rather fat Kereru (wood pigeon). I'm guessing it's a pregnant female possibly? You can't really see how colourful she is but on average these birds as adults are 51cm in length and weigh about 650g. Killing them is illegal and they were once hunted for their meat and feathers. She was kind to me by sitting in the tree for quite some time.

Linking up with Mosaic Monday and Blue Monday.

Kiwi

This photo which is an old one I found in the archives of my "Tauranga" folder. It's the boat marina down at Sulphur Point - can you see the Kiwi? Edited to add: those of you who spotted it on the boat you are correct.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and the Weekend Roundup.

3 Flags

 

Mount Maunganui, where we use to live is a real tourist town. Over Summer there is usually alot of hire businesses advertising near the waterfront. Kayaking seems to be popular.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and Tom's Signs.

Lake Kaniere

 

This place is just magic! Lake Kaniere is just outside of Hokitika about 10 minutes drive before Dorothy Falls, where we drove to last week. I don't know what it's like in Summer but it was so quiet and peaceful, no one else there but B and I - there's snow on the mountains in the distance too.

Linking up with Through my lens, Tuesday Treasures, My corner of the world and Wordless Wednesday.

Kōkō

 

I'm very fortunate to have a Kōwhai tree in my front garden. Kōwhai is the Maori word for yellow and as you can see from the colour of the flowers they are very vibrant. Every Spring they attract these birds known as the Tui or the Kōkō in Maori language.

In Te Ao Maori this bird has a huge significance. They are thought of as messengers of Atua (God's) in heaven. They are associated with life fulfillment, confidence and spiritual harmony.

Native birds including the Tui but also the Kereru (wood pigeon) and Bellbird all love to feast on the flowers which are an important source of nectar food for them.

Linking up with Mosaic Monday and Blue Monday.