6th Feb - Waitangi Day

Yesterday we (Aunty Potts, Tam, Ben & I) drove up the west coast to Kaitaia. When we got to the top of the Mangamuka Gorge we stopped to have a look at the view and found two gorgeous little black kittens up there! It's the middle of nowhere so they must have been abandoned, but they seem to be fine, not too stressed or hungry or thirsty.

The view down to the West Coast (Kaitaia) from the top of the gorge.

We left them some water (as it seems every other passing traveller has done) and carried on up to Uncle Wayne's place at Kaitaia/Ninety Mile Beach.

Today is Waitangi Day (the day we commemorate the signing on the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.) We arrived there on a boiling hot, but thankfully overcast, day and set off on an eating tour of the grounds. First stop, watermelon and ice-cream.


Next stop, watching the waka's coming in to shore amid chants, singing, challenges and lots of ferocity. (See the photo below has waka, sailing ship and navy vessel all in the same bay)


Third stop, wasn't a stop at all as we made sure to stay in front of the protestors. (We had a bus to catch back to the car and didn't want to get stuck behind them all!)


We spent the rest of the afternoon lazing about the house trying to catch any cool breezes we could. It's still hot but at least the sun's finally gone down for today. xx