Whangaroa Memorial Hall

The last time I drove through Kaeo, in the far north I made a note to stop and take a photo of the memorial hall on the main street of town. This relatively modern looking building is also where people gather on ANZAC Day every year for dawn services.

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and The Weekend Roundup.

Tractors and containers

We were out at Ruapekapeka Pa a couple of weeks ago and this farming scene caught my eye.

Out in rural NZ this is a common sight. Many people use empty containers like sheds to store farming equipment in. Parking a tractor on the hill next to it is a wise move especially if we get lots of rain.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Russell's Custom House 1870

Russell, one of the oldest historical places in NZ, full of old buildings and houses. This one was once the first customs house built in 1870 from an original design by W.H. Clayton, the first colonial architect to our country.

Over the years the eventual drop off in shipping to this area meant the house was no longer needed and the Police department agreed to take it over. There is a huge Moreton Bay Fig tree next to it that was also planted the same year by Mr E.B. Laing who was the first collector of customs from 1870 to 1886. What a view they would've had from here though!

Maori waves in Paihia

We were in Paihia earlier this week and as we turned into where a market day was being held this sculpture caught my eye. I'm not sure who created it, I have researched but haven't had any luck. To me it looks like it symbolizes waves or water - behind it is a souvenir shop on the wharf. Paihia is very busy from October until late March as the cruise ships stop here when they are in port so there were alot of people exploring the town.

Linking up with Wednesday around the world.

The Opua Stephenson's Store

It took me quite some time to write this post yesterday and I'll explain later on....but on a recent road-trip through Opua this building caught my eye on the way home. We drove down a small road and I was able to take a photo of this gem.

According to my research, and there wasn't much out there, this was originally the old Stephenson's Store on the waterfront which was a 2 storied combination of a boarding house and store. This is on 6 Beechy Street but apparently numbers 4-7 on this road were purchased by the Bank of NZ in 1883 and a couple of years later 2 retail stores appeared, the one above and one which was a bakery.

It is now being used as luxury rental accommodation and the rooms cost $110 nzd per night, there are some lovely reviews being left about it too.

Back to the first sentence. I often wonder how reliant we are on the internet. Since we've lived here in the last 6 months our internet throughout the far north has been cut off twice through no fault of our own. The first time about a month ago apparently someone accidentally cut through a fibre cable in another town, it took about 2 days to repair but our provider gave us free gigs through our mobile phones so we were able to connect through a hot spot. This time a road slip in Whangarei was the cause and the contractors had to repair the fibre cable for a 1km distance.

So how relevant is technology and the internet these days? Quite relevant I've found out - mind blowing considering when I was growing up we didn't need it for entertainment. We made our own and it was mostly through visiting friends, going bike riding, catching the bus places etc.

I wonder if we would ever be able to live without it? hmm...

Memories of an old shack

We have all been part of a brief flu that's gone through most people I work with and my family. Nothing major - just something I think that's part of the changes in temperature during the Summer/Autumn changeover. Today the other half and I decided that we hadn't gone on a road-trip for quite some time so we ventured out to the Mahinepua Peninsula which is about 40 minutes from where we live and about 10 minutes from Matauri Bay.

There aren't many houses out there, maybe 1 that's being lived in and 3 that are closed after Summer. This little shack caught my eye though. Part of the back roof of the shed alongside the main dwelling has fallen down and the rest of it looks boarded up and unused. Maybe something dating back to before the 1950s? Not sure...but I wonder what memories it holds within, who were the people that use to enjoy this spectacular beach? hmm...

Linking up with Our World Tuesday.

Cape Reinga's lighthouse

This iconic lighthouse was built in 1941 and first lit in May that same year. It was the last manned lighthouse in NZ and it replaced the Cape Maria Van Diemen lighthouse located on nearby Motuopao Island which had been built in 1879. Accessing that lighthouse had been difficult due to rough seas so in 1938 it was decided to move it to Cape Reinga for safety reason.

The complete lantern fittings were reused though the new lighthouse was fitted with a 1000 watt electrical lamp instead that could be seen for 26 nautical miles and the lamp was powered with a diesel generator.

In 1987 the lighthouse was fully automated and keepers were no longer needed. It is now monitored remotely from Wellington. To get here from where we live it is about 3 hours drive north through a long isolated main state highway where there is the occasional farm and shop but it s a very popular tourist attraction.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Tropical Cyclone Oma

This is where we take our boat, out at Opito Bay a favourite place of ours. This is the other half's work ute launching it off the boat ramp. This week we have rain which is sorely needed here, so many people who live rural and have huge 10,000 litre tanks for rain are starting to nearly run out and farmers need their grass to grow for cattle. We have a cyclone forecast for this weekend but at this stage we don't know whether it's heading for us or Australia. Either way I"m sure it'll bring some much needed relief.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Kerikeri River Falls

Another local waterfall (I think there are 8 in total) we've discovered on our treks around this area is this one - the Kerikeri River Falls Track.  This one is near the Stone Store and took us about 20 minutes in total to walk there, very pretty and quiet considering it's so close to town.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Let's sit at Wainui Bay

Along the Matauri Bay coastline is this gem of a beach....Wainui Bay which is a tiny beach surrounded by a handful of holiday homes and baches. So quiet and peaceful - I can understand why someone would want to be here.

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

St Paul's Anglican Church - Whangaroa

If this photo looks a little bit lop-sided it's because this little old church in Whangaroa was up the top of a very steep driveway near the top of a hill. I struggled to walk up the path and when I did I had to steady myself with a small tree nearby.

St Paul's Anglican Church has been in this spot for approx 125 years and when it was opened in 1883 people came by boat or walked for miles to get to the services. St Paul's has quite a history; it's witnessed the slow decline of the timber industry, a fire that burned the school that was originally in front of it and the building of the Whangaroa big gamefish club rooms and marina.

Unfortunately the doors were locked but services are still held today on the first Sunday of each month.

An Oyster Farm in Whangaroa

This morning we drove out to Whangaroa and enjoyed another nice lunch with the other half's cousin at the Marlin Hotel. On the way out we stopped on the side of the road so I could take this photo of an oyster farm out in the harbour.

Do you like Oysters? I love them, in fact I'm a huge seafood fan I prefer them raw but the other half likes them battered and fried but to me that takes the natural ocean taste out of them.

Christ Church - Russell 1835

I've been wanting to explore this church for quite some time, it has a huge history in NZ's culture. Christ Church in Russell also known as Te Whare Karakia o Kororareka also known as the Kororareka Church is the country's oldest existing church built in 1835. The earliest grave we could find there was from 1836.

The first missionaries based in Paihia rowed across the water to Russell to provide prayer services in peoples homes. Russell was originally called Kororareka and had the nickname of "hellhole of the Pacific".

The missionaries purchased the land from local chiefs Rewa, Wharerahi and Moka - the agreement between them was that Maori and Pakeha should have equal rights of burial.

In 1845 Reverend Robert Burrows was the first resident clergyman living in the vicarage on the hillside beside the church.

In 1845 during the Battle of Kororareka between the British and Maori, the church was hit by stray musket and cannon balls of which you can see holes in the outside walls of the church today.

We tried to take photos of the interior of the church but there was a service being held the time we were there but hopefully we will be back there at some point.

Summer at Tapeka Point

We discovered some new beaches last weekend, one of which was Tapeka Point which is about 10 minutes out of Russell. A quiet little spot with only a handful of happy people mostly families enjoying the cove. There was a pontoon that people swim out to and jump off, there were towels laid on the grass and sand ready for sunbathing and there were picnic spots all set up. One of those hot Summer days...

Linking up with Skywatch Friday.

Opua Wharf Ferry

First time I have ever travelled on the Opua Ferry in the weekend and it was a very quick trip too. Fullers which is a national NZ company own alot of ferry services just about everywhere. This one is a transport ferry so once we had parked our car and it had started on it's way we got out and enjoyed the fresh air. Our destination was to be taken to Okiato Wharf which is a small settlement just before Russell.

The other side of Opua has many yachts and boats moored with what looks like a private boat shed in the distance. There are also quite a few houses and baches along the side of the cliffs.

You could almost say that these boats moored alongside the wharf are mini super yachts. I've seen much bigger ones.

This one here is owned by Jemison Marine and is available for hire. It has air conditioning, a gym and wifi connection. It is 95.14ft and can accommodate 8 guests overnight . Posh aye?

The Duke of Marlborough Hotel Est 1827

This stunning place has quite a history. This morning we took a trip out to nearby Russell and after exploring the town we decided to have lunch here at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel. This is the back of the building situated along the main road near the shops.

This is the front entrance of the hotel and it faces the waterfront named "The Strand". The sign outside says "Refreshing rascals and reprobates since 1827". 

According to the hotel's website the information on here says: It began it's life as Johnny Johnston's Grog Shop (liquor store). The owner Johnny was an ex convict who turned his life around and learned the local Maori language. The interior at first glance looks extremely well maintained but I'm thinking under that 1970's carpet that I recognize as being similar to what my mother had when I was a child probably has polished Kauri floorboards underneath.

Anyway the friendship between Johnny and the Maori people lead to him being able to purchase the freehold site of the hotel which was one of the first land sales to a European in NZ.

Back then in the 1830's Russell was named Kororareka and was the largest whaling port in the Southern Hemisphere. Johnny changed the name of of the hotel to the Duke of Marlborough and his first alcohol licence still hangs up in the bar today.

The first hotel burned down during the battle of Kororareka in 1845 and was rebuilt . From 1878 to 1923 the hotel changed hands 8 times. Between 1923 and 1974 it was owned by Hancock Hotels (aka Lion Breweries). In 1931 the second building again caught fire and burned down then a third building was built in 1875 and housed the telegraph workers at Cable bay but was shipped down the coast and dragged into place by steam traction engine in 1932.

After this the hotel again changed hands 5 times and is currently owned by 4 owners who have restored it beautifully. It's now being used as a restaurant/bar and a wedding venue. Today I ordered a Yellowfin Tuna dish, and as you can see above it looks and was delicious.

With a view like this I'm not surprised the hotel and town is a very popular tourist destination.

Mangungu Mission Church

This historical church is one of the oldest in the Hokianga region and was founded around 1821 as part of the mission house and station. In 1840 this land was where an additional 64 signatures were added to the Treaty of Waitangi and after the deception was discovered at the original signing there was still alot of opposition to this.

After some discussion between one chief and some missionaries they decided it would be good for the Maori people in general. Gifts of tobacco and blankets were given out by Governor Hobson but many people were unhappy with this considering they were trading the rights to their land and asked for their signatures to be removed from the treaty. This was refused  and although there were people who were opposed to this, those who did sign ended up being the most faithful.

It's a pity that such a beautiful spot overlooking the harbour could be part of what is now considered to be a one sided travesty.

Christmas day Bougainvillea

Christmas day came and went here in NZ. Christmas eve luckily I didn't have to work and my parents had come up to spend 2 days with us unfortunately we had constant rain - our country got quite a downpour but Christmas day morning the sun came out and shone down on us again.

Some of the goodies we feasted on were typical Kiwi traditions such as Pavlova, Fruit Sponge plus I had mad a Chocolate log with cream and jam in the middle. We also had a pork roast with various vegetables - the other half had barbequed some scallops wrapped on bacon. My mum (in the photo above) cutting the deserts into slices.

Later on after they had left I ventured out for a walk and saw this carpet of purple and red Bougainvillea lining the walkway near our house. How did your day go?

Summer at Opito Bay

Opito Bay is the place about 10 minutes from where we live that we drive to with our boat to launch from the ramp. I couldn't resist taking this shot from out on the water of the bay.

Summer is finally here and with the red pohutukawa trees blooming, the hot sun beaming down on us and birds singing we are enjoying every minute of it.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday.

Motukaraka Church

Overlooking the Hokianga Harbour is this gem with a very high steeple. Motukaraka Church or as it's otherwise known the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption is Catholic based and was designed by Thomas Mahoney but opened in 1910 by Dean Lightfoot one of the Mill Hill Missionaries.

There is a war memorial next to the church dedicated to those who fought in the 2nd world war - names include Private Massey Rameka, Private David Hoani and Private Chris Harris.

The missionaries identified with their mostly Maori congregation and learned their native language. Father John Baptist Becker, also one of the missionaries is buried next to the church and was responsible for translating the bible for his parishioners.

The interior resembles that of a gothic design and has been incredibly well looked after. However upon looking at the mat leading down the centre of the aisle we could see there was some water damage so maybe there was a leak in the roof at some point but it was still immaculate nonetheless.