We were so lucky on our trip to have good weather. This summer has not been a particularly good one here in New Zealand. However, there have been some lovely days, and when we were in the sub-tropical region in Northland, we were lucky with the weather.
Our next trip was to Waitangi and Kerikeri. In 1840, a treaty was signed between the Maori chiefs and the British Crown at Waitangi. It is an extremely important document in terms of New Zealand history and the founding of the nation. You can read more about it here.
Waitangi
Anyway, the Treaty Grounds are really beautiful, and the historic Treaty House is well worth a visit. There was something going on in the meeting house so we couldn’t go in, but we did see the large ceremonial war canoe. On a side note, James Busby, the British government’s representative in New Zealand at the time, who lived in the house, came from Edinburgh, which was of course of interest to me.
The Treaty House
The Flagstaff – where the Treaty was signed in 1840
I didn’t get a very good picture of the flagstaff, but there are three flags that New Zealand has had since 1834 – the flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand, the Union Jack (from 1840) and the New Zealand flag (from 1902).
The Meeting House
The War Canoe or waka
Oh!
From there we drove up to Kerikeri, where you can see two of New Zealand’s oldest buildings. Kemp House and the Stone Store are the only survivors from the Church Missionary Society’s second Anglican mission to New Zealand. The Stone Store is the oldest surviving stone building. It was a really pretty place as you can see below.
Kerikeri
Kemp House
The Stone Store
Still functioning as a store
The church at Kerikeri
It was a really interesting day and fun to see some of New Zealand’s history particularly as I am reading ‘The Luminaries’ at the moment. The next and final installment coming up soon!
Thistles and Kiwis 
not a good summer?! it has been hot and sunny for sooo long. i cannot remember a summer starting so early in nz for ages. i think you mean not particularly good in wellington 🙂
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Ah well….Wellington has been its usual windy self 😉 But we have had some lovely days like today…and the weeds are blooming too!
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lovely pictures 🙂
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