NORTHLAND

MY LAST DAYS OF SUMMER HOLIDAY IN NORTHLAND AND FAR NORTH

KAURI FORESTS: Waipoua Forest Conservation Estate. Waipoua, and the adjoining forests of Mataraua and Waima, make up the largest remaining tract of native forest in Northland.

http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-plants/kauri/





Tane Mahuta (Lord of the Forest) is New Zealand’s largest known living kauri tree.
Trunk Girth 13.77 m
Trunk Height 17.68 m
Total Height 51.2 m
Trunk Volume 244.5 m3

According to Maori mythology Tane is the son of Ranginui the sky father and Papatuanuku the earth mother. Tane was the child that tore his parent’s parental embrace and once done set about clothing his mother in the forest we have here today. All living creatures of the forest are regarded as Tane’s children.

“Te Matua Ngahere” (Father of the Forest) is the second largest living Kauri tree in New Zealand. He is also noted as being the oldest out of the two largest living Kauri trees and is estimated to exceed 2000 year old. He was discovered by Nicholas Yakas in 1928 when he and other men were working to build the road that is now known as State Highway 12.



Trunk Girth 16.41 m
Trunk Height 10.21 m
Total Height 29.9 m
Trunk Volume 208.1 m3

THE FOUR SISTERS

Kauri trees occasionally create unusual growth forms. At times the trunks of two, three, four, five and even six trees can grow joined together at the base of the trees. In the Waipoua Forest Conservation Estate is a group of trees known as the Four Sisters. You will see four Kauri trees, with evenly spaced slender trunks, arising from a large mound of pukahukahu. A similar growth can be seen in Trounson Kauri Park to the south.




AHIPARA - FAR NORTH

Had the best swim in ages in these waters - calm, warm and all to myself - brilliant.

HOKIANGA HARBOUR

Taken in Omapere - early in the morning - the sand dune hill is partly hidden in the clouds

A sign of my presence

a track I followed...

Accross we have the little township called Omapere, where I stayed the night.



Dunes and sand and grass and sand....



Taken in Opononi


BAY OF ISLANDS
A restaurant with a view - Russell

Taken on flagstaff hill in Russell


a mosaic showing the Bay of Islands

Leaving Russell

Going towards Paihia



BAY OF ISLANDS TOUR
Some of us got off on the Island Urupukapuka.
This was our guide John Martin - not his real name - but called this way for the convenience for tourist not used to the typical long Mãori names. The man explained us lots of the Mãori traditions and habits. Here his showing us the typical harakeke - an ancient plant species in NZ - and they used it for clothing, baskets and shelter, etc...: http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-plants/harakeke-flax/

The Mãori oral traditions took a turn when they used the leaves of this plant to write down their stories. I had more eye for its fruit. Forgot its name - sorry.

under this pohutukawa - the tribe would gather to discuss important issues.

Two of the many strategic spots where the tribe could spot a potential invader.


This is a replica of a Mãori ancestral waka - double hulled vessel - one that could store food and water for a couple months and accommodating more people - vessel for longer journeys. read more on this link: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/waka-canoes/1


more loveliness in the bay






Light towers are always indicating that we are getting closer towards the full ocean - not different here but before we hit the pacific we got to go into a whole of a rock..

We are getting closer to the whole in the rock - many of us were getting very excited and the captain very stressed.

there it is!

yeeha


WHANGAROA - Many won't like to read this but I believe that this harbour or bay is prettier than Bay of Islands. I was very fortunate to have been taken on a tour by boat in this bay but unfortunately the batteries of my camera were dead and couldn't use it to take pics. However I could take 2 or 3 with the mobile phone of the captain but I'm still waiting for him to send them to me. Will put them on the blog as soon as I receive them - that bay is sooo gorgeous - can't help myself.

Whangaroa warf and it's entrance into the bay towards the pacific ocean... see the lovely green round hills in the distance...

The warf again and it's sole restaurant, cafe and convenience store. I love that rock, makes the place even more unusual.

This was my view when I camped at sunseeker lodge.

DOUBTLESS BAY :
called this way by some sailor in some distance past because he considered this spot without any doubts a BAY



FAR NORTH : 90 MILES BEACH
wild horses could not drag me away...

Apparently it does not happen often that one has the time to capture these wild horses on film cos they usually run into the dunes as soon a car comes nearby.

a part of 90 miles beach

the high sand dunes provides the merry tourist the opportunity of a free slide...



Taken from Cape Reinga - heading South towards 90 miles beach which is not really 90 miles - I understood that it is 104 km long - still a long stretch though. Only 70 km of it is accessible by car or other means. When you do decide to drive on it be sure you know the tides and that you have the skill to discern quick sand patches.


CAPE REINGA - the most northern point of New Zealand

The typical volcanic flora of the northern region of north island.

On our way to the end point - the light tower

getting a bit closer

At this point two oceans - Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean - come together and thus creates these beautiful colors


This spot is considered to be sacred. Every Mãori who descends from the hawaiki ancestors, his or her soul returns to their island of origin via this point and specifically via the root of the sole tree that is able to continue to grow in these harsh conditions.