Waitangi - Place of Beauty and Historical Significance

 On our first visit, approaching NZ by air we did see the island formed clouds that give the name Aotearoa. Imagine the approaching Polynesians in their double hulled sailing canoes first seeing the clouds topping the first land that they had encountered in hundreds of miles.  



Waitangi is the site of the signing of the treaty between Māori chiefs (mostly female) and the English Crown, pursuant to which New Zealand became part of the United Kingdom. Of course it was immediately broken by the Europeans. Today it is a sailing and sport fishing mecca, as well as a vacation spot, camping destination and retirement spot for pensioners. 


It is still possible to visit, respectfully  - shoes off please - meeting house where the Māori leaders gathered  under the portraits of their ancestors, and the Treaty Grounds where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed.





Comments

  1. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2024 at 10:50 AM

    How beautiful! Thank you for these posts, Tom. I look forward to each one. Also, I appreciate Viking's circumspect approach to anticipating conditions several months out. Love, Anne

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