1st November 2009
This morning we had to pack up and leave the little slice of heaven that was Little Earth Lodge. Definately one for the recommendations.
We followed the Tutukaka Coast north to Matapouri Beach. We walked along the long stretch of sand, then followed a path through the long grass at the north end of the beach, this led us to a hole in a rock where we scrabbled through and clambered along the rocks on the other side to reach Mermaid Pool. This is a deep, natural rock pool with crystal-clear water flushed out by the tide. A group of lads with a rugby ball had been ahead of us on the path and were now playing with the ball near the water, when one of them inevitably had to go in and retreive the rugby ball he reported back that the water was as ‘cold as’!
After lunch on another deserted sandy beach we headed up to Waitangi. Waitangi is described as the birthplace of New Zealand, since it was here in 1840 that the much disputed Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British and the Maoris establishing British sovereignty (depending on whether you read the English or Maori version of the treaty - apparently there are major discrepancies between the original English and the Maori translation!). We watched a short film about the history running up to the signing of the treaty, then headed into the grounds themselves.
Our first port of call was the 35m waka taua or war canoe. This was built from giant Kauri logs for the centenary of the signing of the treaty in 1940.
Then we headed over to the Treaty House. This was originally built in 1832 as the four room house of the British resident James Buzby, appointed by the King to bring order to the port which was known as ‘Hell Hole of the Pacific’. The house itself was constructed in Sydney and shipped over to NZ. It would later be the setting for the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. On the lawn in front of the house and its wonderful gardens stands the flagstaff which marks the actual spot where the treaty was signed. The house is now a museum featuring photographs and exhibits about the house itself and the treaty.
Across the lawn from the Treaty House, we visited the magnificently decorated meeting house, also built to celebrate the centenary of the Treaty and completed in 1940. It is covered in fine carvings which represent the major Maori tribes.
A really interesting visit against the beautiful backdrop of the Bay of Islands.
