Retrofit, Explore and …um… work.
by Bryson

I am currently sitting in Dunedin on the southern end of the south island of New Zealand. It is calm and sunny day outside, I can see the swells slowly bend around the headland as the head for the beach. The seagulls are soaring, and you can hear the crickets from inside… it looks to be another fabulous day in paradise.

Today is Waitangi day in New Zealand or Aotearoa (Land of the Long White Cloud – the original Maori name for New Zealand), a public holiday to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. The Treaty of Waitangi is a highly debated topic and one of huge consequences here in New Zealand.

A quick history; On Feburauy 6th, 1840, British Naval Captain William Hobson and 40 Maori Chiefs signed the treaty in Pahia, the Bay of Islands (Note: Right next to Opua – check the map). Another 500 chiefs subsequently were asked to sign, and most conceded. In essence, according to the British version, The Treaty gave the Maori control over their lands and possessions, and all the rights of British citizens. In exchange, the Maori fell under British Sovereignty and were subjects of the Queen. However, according to the Maori, they gave the Crown a kawanatanga – a far lesser power over them.

As I mentioned previously, this issue still divides many New Zealanders and make for interesting political situations.New Zealand was originally settled by the same Polynesian explorers that settled the rest of the South Pacific, somewhere between 1000 and 1300 BC. These explorers formed their own culture and became known as the Maori. According to Maori legend, the three major islands of New Zealand (The North Island, The South Island and Stewart Island) were created as such: Maui, one of the demi-gods of New Zealand, went fishing with his brothers one morning in their waka (fishing boat) which is depicted by the South Island. He threw his magic jawbone hook (very popular necklass adornment nowadays – easily recognizable) over board, using his own blood as bait as his brothers would give him no bait. He felt an all mightly pull and he began to reel in a huge catch ! Slowly slowly, he pulled and pulled, eventually pulling up the North Island of New Zealand. Stewart Island in the South, was the anchored which kept his waka in place while he fished.The Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman, was the first to reach New Zealand in 1642, landing in Golden bay on the Northern end of the South Island and named it Nova Zeelandia, after the Dutch Province of Zeeland. If you check the gallery, all Kayaking pictures were taking in Abel Tasman park, where the intrepid explorer landed. Incredibly beautiful with vividly blue and uncharacteristically warm water.

Captain Cook was the next to reach the island and anglicised the name to the current New Zealand. Throughout the 1790’s, whaling, sealing and trading boats frequently visited New Zealand and started the European influx to the islands. New Zealand is now one of the most frequently visited tourist destinations worldwide, and despite a few very notable exceptions, they all come to just enjoy the natural beauty of the place. For such a small country, the diversity of the natural landscapes is incredible.
After finishing up work on Khulula, Jess and I headed south to explore the beauty of the South Island, while Ryan went cruising with Thea in the Bay of Islands and Hugh followed his “A River Runs Through It” aspirations and headed to the mountains to learn to trout fish. A little time and distance between three guys, who have been living in each others’ pockets for the past 8 months, was very much needed !

Lots of new pictures uploaded and blogs about them will be forthcoming soon…