Day #3 Bay of Islands and the Waitangi Treaty Grounds

We had 2 events on our calendar for the day, a cruise to the Hole in the Rock and a tour of the Waitangi Treaty grounds. We decided to walk to the boat wharf (about 15 -20 minutes) and later to the treaty grounds (about 25-30 minutes past the wharf). This would avoid any potential parking issues. There was an annual Māori, multi-day event at the treaty grounds. It was expected to draw 20,000 to 30,000 people.

When we awoke to go to the wharf, we found it to be raining quite heavily. We put on our rain jackets and headed to the wharf area for a coffee before the boat departure. We arrived at Letz coffee shop soaked from the thighs down.

By the time we headed to the boat wharf the rain was gone, but the winds were pretty high. The boat departed for the 4 1/2 hour cruise sometime after 8:30. Due to the high winds, parts of the trip were quite rough, and a number of the passengers were rethinking their choice of a full English breakfast. We did get to the Hole in the Rock and stopped for a 1 1/2 hour hike on one of the islands.

in the Bay of Islands

in the Bay of Islands

Hole in the Rock

in the Bay of Islands

on an island in the bay

on an island in the bay

on an island in the bay

on an island in the bay

on an island in the bay

We arrived back at the dock at 1:34. This was about 30+ minutes behind schedule. For us it meant 26 minutes to make our way to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Off we went at double speed. As we progressed, we found ourselves passing through Māori camps along both sides of the highway. Whole families were in tents or camper vans. Lots of tents and campers. We were only 4 minutes late for our tour, and we joined it in progress. The treaty was signed on February 6, 1840. After the signing, the British began to ignore the articles of the treaty unless it was to their benefit. And so it goes.

It certainly paralleled the way the American government treated Native Americans.

the longest war canoe

the longest war canoe

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

a Haka at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Tomorrow is expected to be an easier day. We'll see!

Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua.

‘I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past.’

This is an old Māori expression and an insight in to their thinking about life.