There is no doubt that this part of the world is stunning. Our country is new and as such we have so little history especially in relation to other parts of the world. Being in this part of the country our history is front and centre, it’s on plagues and poles and photos. Landmarks are everywhere and the explanations to go with them.
I recognise that I am limited in my knowledge of NZ history but also that I fare better than many. I have travelled here before and knew about the Stone house, I had been to Waitangi and even knew a version of Hone Heke and the chopped flagpole, I thought I had a good knowledge of the treaty, I knew about the whalers in Russell. This piecemeal history of mine was about to be enlightened.
We begin our history lessons in Keri Keri. We wander the old Pa site, the missionaries gardens, we learn about the teaching of bee keeping, visit the old stone store.
We move on to Paihia and decide to get somewhere to stay whilst time and light is on our side.
Once settled in our hotel we head to Waitangi grounds. It’s nearly 3pm and the half price entrance fee seems great (you need to provide some NZ I D for this). The lovely lady serving us asks if we want to join the tour which starts at 4 and meets just outside the museum, we say ok. We head into the museum first and yes I am thinking what will I be doing once I have finished in the museum and waiting for the tour to start…….Nearly an hour later and only half way through the exhibitions I glance at my watch and realise we have missed the tour. We carry on and emerge after another hour. Truth be told I could probably have gone back in. The museum is dedicated solely to the treaty of Waitangi and it is truly fascinating.
There is so much inside of us as kiwis that has influenced our perceptions and ideas of Waitangi and the treaty. Here it is laid out before you, to unwind and uncover. You can read, listen, watch, even touch, using whatever medium makes sense to you and the journey is great. My threadbare treaty education feels whole and I wish I had done it years ago.
On our way out we apologise for missing our tour and are simply invited back for one in the morning. We duly comply and our guide is great a mix of knowledge, humour and respect and our education continues. We tour the grounds, the flagpole, the Wharenui, the waka, the homestead and are even treated to a cultural performance. We spend the whole morning here and finally wander away at midday. It’s been great.
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I have already written in regard to museums and I have been to many. on my “ability to hold attention” ranking system many have been bad, some average, and every now and then, really good but I have now been to two amazing ones which have absolutely captivated me for completely different reasons, The Guggenheim and Te Kongahu – Museum of Waitangi.
Some fun facts that I didn’t know below (hope I got my dates right though……so maybe go and check it out yourself and don’t take my word for it)
The first flag of NZ was as below. I wonder why we changed it? It is still a legally recognised flag today.
Lord and Lady Bledisloe privately bought the 1000 acres of land that is Waitangi and gifted it back to the people’s of NZ in 1938. They restored the house before they gave it all back on February 6th – Waitangi Day. Māori then built the Wharenui and instead of it facing East as per the norm it faces the South to keep the dialogue open between the two parties. 10,000 people came to original Waitangi ceremony.
There are woman signatories on the treaty document.
There was a Declaration of Independence signed prior to the treaty.
There are so many more fascinating facts and theories about how we got to be where we are today and everyone should try and visit this place at least once and give it the time and attention it deserves. You need to spend a day here.