We have had lots of outings recently due to
back-to-back three-day weekends. Last week was Auckland Day and this past weekend
celebrated Waitangi Day. This is the day in 1840 that a treaty was
signed between the Maori's and the British. We visited the treaty
grounds in January and if you want more info about the continued
controversy regarding this treaty, go to our post from Jan. 1.
We drove about 45 minutes north around Haruki Bay to catch a ferry from Gulf Harbor to Tiritiri Matangi, a 2.2 km2 island which is an open nature reserve managed by the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi, under the supervision of the Department of Conservation and is noted for its bird life. It was a super glorious day weather-wise, about 26 degrees. There have been many complaints about the cool summer this year, but this weekend made up for it.
We usually like our independence, but this time we decided to go on a guided walk. And I'm really glad we did. John, our guide, identified the birds (sightings and bird calls) as well as the vegetation. Finally! Names for birds and plants we knew nothing about! There were many benches at various points of the bush walk to just sit silently and look for/listen to the birds. Very peaceful!
We saw a new insect (new to us, anyway). Weta ponga range in size, but with their big bodies, spiny legs, and curved tusks, they are one of New Zealand's most recognizable insects. There are more than 70 species of weta in New Zealand, 16 of which are at risk.
While we were sitting on a bench eating our picnic lunch, a woman walked past and said jokingly, "Oh, you're sitting on MY bench". She was one of the guides and was hoping to sit alone and eat her lunch. Not being possessive people, we scooted over to make room and asked her to join us.
We chatted for a while and found out we had Israel in common. Julie visited Israel in 1973 and lived on a kibbutz on the northern border. When the Yom Kippur War broke out, her Israeli boyfriend went to serve and she spent a good deal of time in the bomb shelters. They married and moved to New Zealand.
We parted and continued our walk. We met up again with Julie on the ferry ride back to Gulf Harbor and she invited us to come over to her house, sit on the deck and have some watermelon with her and her 2nd husband Roy. Sure!
We drove about 45 minutes north around Haruki Bay to catch a ferry from Gulf Harbor to Tiritiri Matangi, a 2.2 km2 island which is an open nature reserve managed by the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi, under the supervision of the Department of Conservation and is noted for its bird life. It was a super glorious day weather-wise, about 26 degrees. There have been many complaints about the cool summer this year, but this weekend made up for it.
The island was mostly farmland (Maori and European farmers). Over the last 30 years there has been one of the most successful
community-lead conservation projects in the world. Not only did they eradicate unwanted predators, but over 250,000 native trees and shrubs of over 30 different species were planted in the revegetation project from 1984 to 1994. Eighty-seven species of birds have been observed on or near the island. Eleven native species have been translocated to the island as part of the ongoing restoration project.
Serene sailboat
View from the dock on Tiritiri
Stingray
Rocky shore at low tide
We usually like our independence, but this time we decided to go on a guided walk. And I'm really glad we did. John, our guide, identified the birds (sightings and bird calls) as well as the vegetation. Finally! Names for birds and plants we knew nothing about! There were many benches at various points of the bush walk to just sit silently and look for/listen to the birds. Very peaceful!
Oyster catcher with open beak
1000 year old pohutukawa tree
We saw a new insect (new to us, anyway). Weta ponga range in size, but with their big bodies, spiny legs, and curved tusks, they are one of New Zealand's most recognizable insects. There are more than 70 species of weta in New Zealand, 16 of which are at risk.
Weta ponga
Tui birds at feeding station
John said he was sorry there weren't more bird sightings, but he thought maybe the presence of many boats and tourists who came on the holiday weekend kept the birds away.
Fear not! All was not lost! After our walk with John, we continued on to hike up and over the hills and saw...you guessed it... many beautiful bays.
While we were sitting on a bench eating our picnic lunch, a woman walked past and said jokingly, "Oh, you're sitting on MY bench". She was one of the guides and was hoping to sit alone and eat her lunch. Not being possessive people, we scooted over to make room and asked her to join us.
Tile of keretu pigeon below our picnic bench--the largest pigeon in NZ and the fifth largest in the world
We chatted for a while and found out we had Israel in common. Julie visited Israel in 1973 and lived on a kibbutz on the northern border. When the Yom Kippur War broke out, her Israeli boyfriend went to serve and she spent a good deal of time in the bomb shelters. They married and moved to New Zealand.
We parted and continued our walk. We met up again with Julie on the ferry ride back to Gulf Harbor and she invited us to come over to her house, sit on the deck and have some watermelon with her and her 2nd husband Roy. Sure!
What a lovely couple! These are sensitive and caring people who want to make a better society. They previously started and ran a project whose goal was to gain acceptance of disabled people. They are both now working on a project to help fight discrimination in schools. Good stuff! What a wonderful way to end a wonderful day!
With Roy and Julie on their deck with an amazing view of an inlet off of Haruki Bay
OH LOVELY. You are really seeing New Zealand in depth and what incredible experiences you are having. You meet the best people too! Roy and Julie sound like a delightful couple.
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