New Zealand’s history begins with its discovery by Polynesians, who settled the islands around 1300 AD and developed the Māori culture. Māori society was organized into iwi (tribes) and hapū (subtribes) with a rich oral tradition and a distinctive art form.

The first European to sight New Zealand was Dutch explorer Abel Tasman in 1642. However, significant European engagement began with British Captain James Cook’s voyages in the late 18th century. Cook’s maps and accounts led to increased whaling, sealing, and trading by Europeans.

In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between the British Crown and various Māori chiefs, granting the British sovereignty over the islands while supposedly guaranteeing Māori rights to their land and granting them the rights of British subjects. The interpretation and implementation of this treaty have been sources of conflict due to different understandings and translations of the text.

Colonial government was established, and with the British settlers came conflicts primarily over land, culminating in the New Zealand Wars of the 1860s. Post-war, the government confiscated significant amounts of land from Māori, which has led to ongoing grievances and settlements.

Throughout the 20th century, New Zealand developed a distinct national identity. It was a dominion by 1907 and became fully independent in 1947, though it retained the British monarch as the head of state.

Hobbiton movie set

The first Hobbiton movie set was taken apart after the ‘Lord of the Rings’ movies were finished. Then, the set was rebuilt for the Hobbit movies, but this time it was decided to keep most of it and open it to fans and tourists.

Ruakuri caves

While waiting to visit the Waitomo caves, I spontaneously decided to pay extra and explore the Ruakuri caves located nearby. It turned out to be an excellent decision.

Milford Sound

Milford Sound, also known as Piopiotahi in Maori, is a fifteen-kilometer long fjord on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. It is a special location, surrounded by hills and mountains, and was formed thousands of years ago by a glacier. The Milford Sound is unique among similar natural formations worldwide.

Christchurch. Bringing England there did not work fully …

Christchurch was the oldest city founded by the English in New Zealand. The first European settlers arrived in the area around 1840, with the colonization process being officially and legally overseen by the Canterbury Association and supported by the Church of England.

Cook missed it twice

James Cook, a British sailor, and cartographer is known for his discoveries in the Pacific Ocean. He was actually the second European to discover New Zealand after Abel Tasman did it as the first in 1642. 

Wai-O-Tapu. Intoxicating

Wai-O-Tapu in New Zealand is a special place with collapsed craters and boiling pools of mud and water. It’s on the Northern Island and has colorful lakes and toxic fumes.

A couple who came from England

During our two-week stay in New Zealand, we once visited a town that seemed completely empty. It was a popular spot for surfers in peak season, but with a big storm coming, there was nobody there. It felt like we had reached the edge of the world. The town’s name was Collingwood. The storm hadn’t arrived yet, so we decided to take a walk without any plan or map.

A glacier walk

We thought we would just walk and take photos. The surface where we landed was flat, and the slopes didn’t seem very steep. The crampons on our shoes made walking on the ice quite easy. Later, I realized that we were following a planned route. After an hour of easy walking, we reached some tall ice formations that looked small from a distance. It turned out there were more guides on the glacier than just our lead guide who had been with us from the start.

A simple chowder

What we ate in New Zealand was a really bad choice. The chowder was suggested as a traditional dish. I thought, ‘maybe the cook had a bad day.’ When I returned home, I searched for recipes online and tried to recreate what I remembered. The recipe I followed resulted in a delicious and nutritious meal.

The Haka

The haka is a traditional Māori war dance from New Zealand, originally performed by warriors before a battle, showcasing their prowess and unity as a way to intimidate opponents. Over time, the haka evolved beyond its martial roots to serve various social functions within Māori culture. It is performed at ceremonies and celebrations, including weddings and funerals, to honor guests and show the community’s pride or grief.

Whanganui

Whanganui is a national park located in the North Island of New Zealand named after the Whanganui River, which flows through it from the mountains to the Tasman Sea.