How could I travel to Australia for 3 weeks and not fly three hours to visit New Zealand for a couple of weeks!?! No dice! So, I joined another Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) group in New Zealand and a friend of mine joined me here! Grateful!
We had a couple of days in Auckland to visit the War Memorial Museum, Auckland Art Gallery, walk the streets in the university area and for me to also bird in Albert Park. My first New Zealand bird is the New Zealand fantail. This bird was almost impossible to photograph as it hopped around in the middle of tree branches. But I at least got its butt-end with the fantail!
Our group stopped at Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial with a discussion of the Māori traditions and right to the land. Their struggle continues. They need to be recognized as the “first people” with an understanding of the history that their land was taken from them. The history of how the Treaty of Waitangi was signed on February 6, 1840 between the Māori and the British and yet the British continued to displace the aori people through to the 1970’s. The British colonization for those hundred plus years, with continued land theft from the Maori, came to a head in 1975 when the cry was “Not 1 more acre!” with a land march to Wellington. Tents were pitched in 1977 for 502 days at Bastion Park regarding the issue of what reparations the Maori people deserve as a result of the historical grievances. However the reality is, the Treaty of Waitangi document led to a discriminatory impact on the country’s Maori population who continue to experience disproportionate poverty. Our Maori local guide obviously did an excellent job presenting the info and these are my quick notes from that talk. My overall understanding was the Maori never had any intention of the British ruling them. Now dependent on the political party in power in New Zealand, the Māori have made some gains in recognition, yet with the current governing party there seems to be less progress.
The next day we ferried to Waiheke Island, New Zealand’s second largest island, about 40 minutes from Auckland. Gray, light rainy day as we were driven by van around the island, stopped at some beaches, then to a small winery, Casita Miro, and an olive oil estate, Allpress. I did hear a tui, unfortunately no photo of the bird. I am hoping it is common enough to catch a photo in upcoming days as we go to Rotorua… or I just might sketch one.
At Casita Miro you can see the Spanish influences made at this winery with the mosaic tiles and murals around the property and the wines produced here. This winery is one of 30 wineries on the island. I enjoyed their blend, Miro, and their port, Madame Rouge.
At Allpress, an olive oil estate we learned about the extra virgin olive oil they produce from the 7,000 trees, 10 varieties all from northern Italy. I learned that olive trees are self-pollinating so one only needs to have 2 trees for success and that it takes 14 pounds of olives to produce 1 liter of olive oil! Their olive oil is delicious; $100 to ship 6 bottles, so I passed. This is when you wish you lived closer!
I laid low for the rest of the evening and relaxed. I usually do not use any motion sickness patches when on a boat or ferry and can see land and/or horizon in the distance. But even with that short ride of 40 minutes each way and other islands around to see, my head was “rocking with the waves in my brain” hours later. This is when I really appreciate a good night’s sleep! Thankfully tomorrow’s a new day!
