Category Archives: History

Anne here…

Many New Zealanders go to an ANZAC day celebration at dawn but after over three weeks of fairly continuous touring, we could only manage the 11am service. Plus we had to pack up and leave the ski holiday house in Ohakune.

ANZAC Day is very similar to our Remembrance Sunday. New Zealanders and Australians remember and celebrate their service personnel, past and present. We were very fortunate to be able to attend a service in the NZ National Army Museum in Waiouru.

The service was very moving and organised with typical army efficiency. Other than the veterans who were so pleased to see each other, that the drill sergeant major had trouble keeping them in formation. They knew that they were exempt from army discipline!

The museum is fantastic and really worth a visit. There was plenty to keep the kids interested, and the adults as well. We only had a short time in the museum. I would happily go back. But it was a very moving place to watch an ANZAC service.

Now back to Chris and Belinda’s house near Wellington for a few days of relaxation (and to catch up on the laundry).

Actually neither really although it has been called both in the past.

Just a lovely little settlement across the Bay from Paihia with an unexpectedly important place in NZ history.

The current population of 816 belies its history as the first capital of New Zealand.

There were so many things to like:

• the peace and quiet of a Maori garden
• the hotel sign which said “Refreshing Reprobates and Rascals since 1827”;
• the first Anglican church in New Zealand – the place of the first signature on the Treaty of Waitangi
• and lunch in the Duke Marlborough hotel – the first hotel in New Zealand.

For a small place it has a lot of firsts!

Post by Anne

Anne here…

Really, really interesting history lesson in an idyllic location.

We were really fortunate with the weather as well – blue skies, warm sunshine – we needed both sunglasses and suncream.

But back to the history… The Maori guide was extremely knowledgeable, fascinating and chatty. He described the arrival of the first Europeans and the reception they received from the Maoris. And then how the two sides managed to make working (and sometimes domestic!) relationships. And the many ups and downs along the way, including the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

It really helped explain the origins of the peoples of New Zealand.

Then an excellent Maori cultural ceremony including taking our shoes off to enter the Maori meeting house.

Finally a leisurely lunch in the spectacular and extensive lush green lawns.

#whataninterestingmorning