The Bay of Islands is regarded as New Zealand’s “birthplace .Sandy beaches, beautiful bays, crystal-clear waters and an abundance of islands—there are 144 of them in the aptly named Bay of Islands.
Upon arrival at the Waitangi wharf our Maori Guide escorted us to the historical Waitangi Treaty Grounds where we were greeted with a traditional Maori welcome. We saw the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe, stood on the spot where the Waitangi Treaty was signed, visited the historical Treaty House, and learn about the traditional carvings in the Maori Meeting House.
A buffet lunch in the Treaty Grounds was an authentic hangi feast, which is cooked in an underground pit oven.
After lunch Chris learnt flax weaving, and I did the kapa haka (Māori song and dance, including the famous Haka).
Click on any of the small photos to get a larger version of that photo
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