Whangarei/Fangarayee

I have driven south from Paihia. First before setting off I went to the Waitangi Treaty signing site just up the road from Paihia. Our guide was a young Maori man who very expertly told us about Maori history and culture without overloading us with too much information. I have been intrigued as to why Maoris seem better integrated into New Zealand society than the Aboriginals are in Australia. He went a long way to explain. The Maoris were much more war like in comparison to the shy and peaceloving aboriginals. The early traders who visiting the shores of NZ traded guns with the Maoris, who promptly turned them on their would be colonial masters when they were not happy with a situation.

Another factor was that from the beginning the Maori wanted education from the colonials and quickly became literate in English and other languages. He told us that today Maori have their own schools where their language and culture are taught.

After that I drove to Whangarei - pronounce fangarayee. Pronunication is a minefield here as not only are most maori names very difficult for me to pronouce but also there is the whole issue of pcness and Maori culture. Wh as F in Maori pronunciation and anti pc people don't/won't use this. It's like being in Catalan areas because you can bet your bottom dollar that who ever you speak to will tell you off for using the wrong pronunciation.

Anyway Whangarei initially looked a bit uninteresting. It is on a river estuary and has no beach near the centre. It had a shopping centre which could have been Wakefield with the pioneer colonial look that all small Australian and New Zealand towns seem to have. It turned out have a very attractive marina area where I managed to get a delicious supper of rack of lamb. I was lucky to be fed at all as the restaurant filled up quickly with people out to celebrate the New Year.

The YHA I stayed in is right up on the hill overlooking Fangarayee and the view is faabeewlus. Especially as New Year approached and the lights all came on then the fireworks went up. Strange to be in the New Year before everybody at home.!!

Happy New Year Everybody