Auckland Museum

On our final day, we visited the Auckland museum and Botanical Gardens.

Mom's Visit - North Island

In addition to a few days in Wellington, we went through Tongariro National Park to Lake Taupo and Rotorua (home of the largest goethermal activity in the Southern Hemisphere). We spent the last couple days in Auckland.

Taonga Mata Ora

Dinner at Te Papa's Taonga Mata Ora, with Maori, Samoan and Tahitian performances.

Mom's Visit - South Island

My mom has been jet-setting around Australia and New Zealand and decided to pay me a visit. After she visited Melbourne, Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney, she came to New Zealand to see Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mount Cook and Christchurch.

We met in Christchurch and went to Akaroa (an early French settlement), Karikoura (for crayfish and whale watching) and Nelson, where we visited the goegraphic centerpoint of New Zealand (although this probably does not take the Chatham Islands into account).

Dragon Boat Races

Earlier today I went to the Wellington Harbour to watch dragon boat races. The weather was ideal and plenty of people were out - some swimming in the harbour, others showing off tattoos.

Summer in the City

I am wrapping up an enjoyable summer weekend, having walked nearly 60 KM in the sunny, breezy days of Wellington's summer. Here are a few photos of sculptures along the waterfront.

Women's Day

While studying in Ecuador several years ago, I learned that March 8th is International Women's Day. Although I don't think New Zealand did much in recognition of the day, it's worth mentioning that New Zealand was the first country in the world to allow women the right to vote.

Newtown Festival

Newtown is my favourite area of Wellington for its racial and socioeconomic mix, its Maori and Pasifika representation, and its interesting historic buildings. The festival brought people out by the hundreds to enjoy music, food, games and fabulous weather!