On Monday we drove over to Russell in the Bay of Islands. We drove through many roads and just as we were about to return home I spotted a signpost directing up a long driveway to the Flagstaff Hill Reserve on top of a high hill - this was the view over Russell from the top and was a very very windy Spring day.
On one side of the hill was this large sculpture and mosiac floor of the Bay of Islands with various plaques explaining what once happened. This whole area is classed as a historic place as the union jack was first flown here in 1840 before being chopped down 4 times until 1845 as a symbolic gesture against the British rule.
One sign at the entry says "In 1834 the chief Hone Heke presented a flagstaff to James Busby, a British resident at Waitangi. It was to fly New Zealand's first flag, the Flag of the United Tribes. 11 years later the flagstaff had become a focus of protest and bloody fighting between the Maori and British."
In 1832 Flagstaff Hill was made a historic reserve under the management of the Bay of Islands Maritime and Historic Park. Today the flagstaff and the reserve are under the care of the Department of Conservation.
Linking up with My Corner of the World.
10 comments:
...that looks like a huge sundial.
Quite a historic place with quite a view
What a view!
Lovely view - years since we have been up there.
What a wonderful day trip. The hillside view is beautiful, and the sculpture does look like a huge sundial.
WOW! Spectacular view!
Happy Wednesday, Amy!
The view is beautiful.
Thanks for the bit of history of the area. I love your photos, it's a gorgeous place.
It's great to see you at 'My Corner of the World' this week!! Thanks for being here.
I was there many years ago. I don't remember the sculpture; perhaps it's new?
cool! The large sculpture reminded me of a sundial. :) I like it!
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