While the white heron is common in Australia and parts of Asia, we’re lucky to see them. They are considered rare in New Zealand. The Maori called them kotuku and their white feathers were highly sought for decoration. It is known as a graceful and beautiful bird and...
This year we’ve had lots of overseas visitors, which means we’ve been reacquainting ourselves with the sights around Auckland. The city of Auckland is built on on a field of volcanoes, and Rangitoto Island is the youngest one – a mere 600 years-old. The island is...
Fiordland is the largest National Park in New Zealand and at 1.2 million hectares (3.1 million acres) is also one of the largest in the world. It is an area of wilderness that stretches from Martin’s Bay in the north of the South Island to Te Waewae Bay in the south,...
Last Saturday I made some biscuits (that’s cookies to those of you in the US) and I took them out to my father’s farm on Sunday. Last night, my sister rang. Sister: I’m sending those biscuits back to you via courier. Me: Why? Sister: I’ve eaten three, and I’m not...
Tekapo is a gorgeous spot in the Mackenzie basin of the South Island. Lake Tekapo is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The lake is glacier-blue since it is fed from the Southern Alps. The Church of the Good Shepherd was built by settlers in 1935. It sits...
On 4th September 2010 an earthquake struck Christchurch in New Zealand. A second struck on 22 February 2011 with loss of life and property damage. I visited Christchurch in 2006 and this year was the first time I’d returned. It was sobering, even now almost five years...
At the very top of the North Island of New Zealand is a point called Cape Reinga. This is a special site in Maori mythology. According to the tales, an old pohutukawa tree grows on the cliff, and it is said that the roots of this tree provide a ladder for spirits to...
The moa is a flightless New Zealand bird that became extinct around the arrival of Europeans. There were several types of moa, the largest of which was taller than a full-grown man. They had long necks, big sturdy clawed feet, an ostrich-like body and soft brown...
During our recent visit to Alaska we saw quite a few eagles and I saw their nests. The Bald Eagle is an impressive bird with a huge wingspan. What most people don’t realize is that New Zealand was home to the world’s largest eagle for thousands of years. The Haast...
