Treaty of Waitangi

This treaty is much in the news. The Maoris of today aren't happy with the deal their ancestors made and the treaty is vague enough that it can be interpreted in many ways. Hans bought a copy of it. But I bet our opinion will carry little weight.

We walked to the top of Mt. Bledisloe from where we could see the curve of earth, the ocean and surrounding islands. The air was coloured with the perfume of clover. Or maybe only I could smell it because I was breathing so hard.

We saw Haruru Falls where a swimmer was trying to get close enough to the falls for a shower.

We stopped at Paihia Village where Mike bought a Lemon and Paeroa drink. Paeroa is a town with mineral water. Sometime in the past, someone added lemon, a little carbonation, and New Zealand's popular soft drink was born.

Waitangi:
In the 1830's the Bay of Islands around Waitangi was crowded with visiting ships. It had an unsavoury reputation as the Hell-hole of the Pacific. and the British appointed James Busby to create law and order.

There is a Maori Waka (canoe) 35 metres long. It takes a minimuim of 76 padlers to handle it safely on the water.

The meeting house, Te Whare Runanga, was opened during the Treaty Centnary Celebrations in 1940. It symbolized Maori involvement in the signing of the Treating and in the life of the nation.

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