Flashback

This morning at 8:54 after running an errand in Waikanae town, I was idling at the traffic lights on SH1 to return home (waiting at the level crossing lights), when the oncoming train siren alerted me of something different. The hooter was not the regular suburban train sound, so I peered ahead between the waiting cars.

Not the expected posh grey electric unit – a bright yellow KiwiRail. Memories from three and a half years in February 2011 floated back…

(Above): Sitting on Wellington station early morning waiting for the Overlander to leave. There is only one trip each day.

(Above): A picture of a trans-country “Overlander” entering a tunnel on the day-long trip which we enjoyed the day before St Valentine’s Day 2011 from Wellington to Auckland

(Above): One of our fellow-travellers who pretended to have a little-boy train-driver aspirations at one of the stops en route to Auckland.

Wait.

There’s someone behind me with his hand on the hooter. Goodness gracious – While I’ve been daydreaming and reminiscing about 2011, the traffic in front of me has started moving off and Mr Hooter behind me is impatient…

About to Enter the Last Straight?

The Glory is about to dock in Auckland, New Zealand’s most populated city. I can clearly remember when we were in Auckland – Sunday 13 February 2011, in time for Valentine’s day 2011, which was a Monday, and we flew back to Wellington on the Wednesday.

Britomart railway station in Queen Street, near the waterfront

The Grand Hotel in the Sky Tower precinct in Victoria Street. We went up the Sky Tower, quite memorable.

(Above): Key to the map: Yellow leg (1) just completed from Nelson on the South Island to Auckland. The Orange leg (2) from Auckland to Tauranga on the Bay of Plenty. Not sure whether this stop will be made; and thereafter, the Green leg (3) Tauranga to Wellington.

Are We There Yet?

Just when you think you’re nearing the finishing line and the journey is about to end, another unexpected bend in the road and another hill appears, shifting the goal-posts just that bit further away. Like when you were a child, you felt the need to ask incessantly:

“When will we get there? Is it long still a long way?”

However, we are not in a car. Its a ship. The glorious Glory.

And we are not on it, but Our Stuff is.

When The Glory set sail from Nelson, I could plot her course on the map, around D’urville Island, past Endeavour Inlet and Queen Charlotte Sound, and joining up with the Cook Strait Interislander ferry route between Wellington and Picton.

But, no: guess what. We are on our way to Auckland first! All the way up north!

But, like father would always say, “It’s not long now, we’re almost there!” Melanie, our clearing agent phoned as I was composing this blog, to confirm that Our Stuff has been submitted to customs and that, all going well, Pickfords will be delivering around the 14th.

 
(Above) : The Glory (bright green arrow) heading in the Tasman Sea north to Auckland. We are at the yellow circle opposite Kapiti Island (to the left of Masterton).

Waitangi Day : 6 February

“If you and your family are going away on a short little holiday, then you need not go to school on Friday. But if you are not going away, then it is school as usual.”

This is the way that Brynn explained her educational commitments for Friday 7th.

Waitangi is 230km North of the City of Auckland, just under 3 hours by road, according to Google Earth.

Why? Because tomorrow Thursday 6 February is Waitangi Day, an official public holiday, leaving a long weekend for those wanting to take Friday off. It commemorates the first signing of New Zealand’s founding document – the Treaty at Waitangi in 1840. It is a public holiday in New Zealand on February 6 each year.

Māori cultural performances, speeches from Māori and Pakeha (European) dignitaries, and a naval salute are all part of the official Waitangi Day celebrations at Waitangi, New Zealand. Waitangi Day is also a time when people publicly debate on issues such as national identity and multiculturalism.

Various activities and events are held at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. It’s a day that bubbles with ceremonies, music, sports and fun. Waitangi Day itself has always involved performances and parades from the Royal New Zealand Navy and local cultural groups.

The Waitangi Treaty Grounds are home to 2 national icons:

• 'Te Whare Runanga', a carved Māori meeting house that commemorates the first signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. Carvings in the house were produced by the local Ngapuhi tribe, but the building is represents all Māori tribes.
• Ngatokimatawhaorua, one of the largest Māori waka (war canoe). It can seat a crew of up to 80 paddlers and 55 passengers

Ngatokimatawhaorua at the Treaty Grounds. (Photo: © Jock Phillips)

Ngātokimatawhaorua is housed at the Treaty Grounds, Waitangi. It is named after the original Ngātokimatawhaorua, which was re-adzed from Kupe’s canoe, the Matawhaorua.