Coming Up Close

2 years ago when we lived in Tauranga we travelled through Lake Tarawera for the day. Te Pouwairua a Tuhourangi meaning Tuhourangi's cradle sits at the top of this look out. It is in honour of the Te Arawa tribe of Rotorua who honoured and respected their chief Tuhourangi who long ago lived in this area. In 1886 the volcano in the background of this photo erupted and the Pink and White Terraces were buried. Recently I read a news article which said that scientists maybe have discovered them underneath all the water. I'm excited to see what happens... Linking up with Skywatch Friday .

This wharenui (meeting house) at Ohinemutu Marae is located in Rotorua that is named after chief Tama Te Kapua who came from Polynesia in about 1350. Te Papaiouri meeting house was first opened around 1873  but was demolished in 1939. It was rebuilt and opened in 1943. Happy Matariki (Maori New Year) everyone! Linking up with Our World Tuesday and My Corner of the World .

Mangonui is one of those places in NZ's far north where the fishing is pretty good. On our last stop there we watched a truck wait at the edge of the wharf while the fishing boats bought their catch in. These fish will probably be going to local restaurants and shops to be sold - can't beat fresh seafood. Linking up with Skywatch Friday .

Nestled on a small hill just around the corner from Ahipara township and bay is this little wee gem. St Clement's Anglican Church and cemetery dates back to around 1873 and was named "Pukemiro" after the hill that is stands on. As per an old Maori story this area was chosen as a sacred burial spot for Poroa who was the Chief of Te Rawara - he lived here when times were peaceful. Most of the graves are from the 1800s with a few of them surrounded by old iron fencing. Inside everything looks quite tidy, humble and well looked after. The church itself was built by local Maoris named Inoka Tutangiora, Rapata Wharawhara and Kihirini Te Morenga under the guidance of Richard Matthews who was the son of Joseph Matthews (part of the Missionary Society). The view from the top steps next to the church looks out over miles of farmland. In 2012 restoration committee of the church were looking for funding to restore the church, I'd say since then alot of work has bee

We were up in  Ahipara  Bay last weekend. It's a small beachside settlement about 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Kerikeri just past Kaitaia.   Rather a chilly windy Winter's day but it was still good to get out in the fresh air. I have a thing for driftwood, I like seeing all the different shapes and patterns made by nature and the ocean on the wood. The tide was going out and this particular coastline is at the southern part of 90 Mile beach so you can pretty much drive your car or quad along the sand. We had the other B's work 4 wheel drive so there was no way we could get stuck. Quite a few people here and there walking their dogs and sitting on the sand with their children. Ahi means "fire" and para means "fern" - it's translate as "fire at which fern was cooked". Before the 18th century this place was named "Wharo" which means "stretched out" and considering the length of the beach I would agree wi

I spotted this holiday bach in a secluded part of Cooper's Beach and estimate it to be possibly around 30-40 years old - looks retro to me. We're having a very blah Winter so far, mostly overcast gray cloudy days - typical when you live in the far north of NZ. Linking up with Skywatch Friday .

We were up in Awanui yesterday driving through the Far North and stopped near a cafe. We haven't had alot of rain here where we are but it looks like they had had some. The river where these boats are moored was quite full and the ground very soggy with overgrown grass. Back to work today, it's the start of another week... Linking up with Our World Tuesday and My Corner of the World .

This place doesn't look like much. A spectacular view over the Bay of Islands, a small fence around a well - what's there to say? But if you dig deeper there's quite a bit of information about this spot which has been named as NZ's first capital from 1840-1841. The land and buildings that were here were owned by James Clendon who ran a very successful trading station. However when Governor William Hobson arrived here he had to find a site for a government settlement and Okiato was picked. William Hobson had a surveyor draw up plans for a new town to be developed which was to be named "Russell". The site was never followed through with as intended and the buildings that were left there by James Clendon formed formed the first foundations of the area. In 1842 William Hobson moved the capital to Auckland leaving the police magistrate at Okiato and in  a few months later the government house and it's offices were destroyed by a fire. This old well is

This weekend, the first one in June is known in NZ as Queens Birthday. Today is meant to be a public holiday however some of us still have to work. Monday is normally my day off but I've been rostered on so I'm hoping it won't be too busy for me. I heard at work yesterday that it seems a tiny kitten has been taking refuge in the storeroom. Some of the guys have been feeding it cat food and trying to catch it so one of the girls can take it home. It is getting colder here for us, although we don't have snow or ice here it gets quite damp. I remember when we lived in Tauranga having to wash ice off my car windscreen in the mornings. Time to get out the winter cardigans, jerseys and socks. Hibernation season has started... Linking up with Our World Tuesday and My Corner of the World .