We popped in for a flying visit to the Waitangi treaty grounds where the British and the Maori signed the Waitangi treaty to formalise the British occupancy of New Zealand. Reading into the history will show you that the two sides understandings of this agreement were very different, and over the next few decades much blood was shed in various wars for land and occupancy in the country.
Sadly the treaty grounds has been turned into an attraction...and was closed...
We continued north up to the famous 90 mile beach (its actually 90 kilometers long but I guess it doesn't have the same ring to it). Many cars have been lost to the tide here as they try to drive the entire length but get caught out by the tide before they have the chance to escape. We're borrowing Dad's van so I didn't fancy making that phone call so we gave it a miss.
Next morning headed up to Cape Reinga which in Maori legend is believed to the point where departing souls leave New Zealand for the afterlife. There is a lighthouse here at the end of the pathway and in the view you can see where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean and causes a battle of the currents. Pretty cool.
We couldn't leave the region without a go a sand boarding at a place called Te Paki dunes.
Also spotted a pretty inappropriate sign as we were leaving...
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