Treaty Grounds

Although we were staying in some very nice accommodation at Kerikeri, our first foray into the Bay of Islands region - a name  bestowed by captain Cook if I remember correctly - took us to the treaty grounds at Waitangi where, in the middle of the !9 th century, European settlers and the Maori tribes made a peace treaty. This historical site proved exceptionally interesting as the pictures show. The flag pole marks the spot where the treaty was signed - a beautiful setting.

Nearby was the home of the James Busby, an early settler and proponent of the treaty to prevent fighting between Europeans and the Maori peoples. The tour of the house gave a great impression of the culture of the time.

And in the Waitangi grounds there were many buildings and artefacts to reminds us of the Maori culture. The canoes on display were both huge and exquisitely ornate.

There was a replica of a Maori village.

And here's the meeting house, whose interior was again ornate and even lavish.

And we were privileged to witness a typical welcoming ceremony: Later on our trip in the Rotorua district I was appointed leader of a 'tribe' - actually representing my fellow passengers on our bus - to take part in such a ceremony.

And, after these proceedings, Bec and Max hired a kayak to paddle around the waters adjacent to Waitangi. They were especially interested in inspecting nearby mangroves.

AS