The Bay of Islands

Waitangi Treaty Grounds

On our way to Russell we decided to visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. A great morning.
We watched a very informative film about the sighning of the treaty and then looked around the grounds including the Maori Meeting House- Whare Runanga, the Treaty House and the Flagpole (where the treaty is believed to have been signed).
Whare Runanga, completed in 1940 to mark the centenary of the treaty, was a particularly impressive building. It is covered in fine wood carvings representing the major Maori tribes.
We also saw the 35m war canoe- the oldest in NZ.

After lunch we drove on to Russell.
Arrived late afternoon so walked into town, along the bay and to Christ Church- the oldest church in NZ. Also popped into the Department of Conservation to find out more about Russell.

Sun 17th February: Russell
Got up early this morning and did a short, but steep, walk to the top of Flagstaff Hill. Fantastic views overlooking Russell. We then enjoyed a coffee/hot choc in a cafe overlooking the harbour.
In the afternoon we relaxed on Long Beach and had a swim in the sea. :-)



L & R x