Traditional Māori Hāngī at Christmas

25th December 2018 – Christmas time Maori Hangi at a friend’s place out in Mount Roskill. Steps (As far as I’ve been able to recall how it goes… Don’t take this as gospel!) Preparation and pre-heating the stones. Prepare a pit by digging a hole of about 1 metre by 1 metre. Place the […]

Ngatea Water Gardens Hauraki Plains

11th November 2018 – Dropping into Ngatea Water Gardens en-route back to Auckland. A well maintained garden dashed with a sense of humour. While the gardens themselves aren’t huge, allow about 2 hours to see everything at a leisurely pace. Entry price: $12 for Adults

Ambrym Niri-Mbwelesu + Marum

1st December 2018 to 8th December 2018 – Back to Vanuatu to climb Ambrym’s various volcanic cones. Took a truck up to the old ash flow, then walked up and camped on the edge of Ash plain. Weather was best on the first night where we got to see the Lava lake in Niri-Mbwelesu in […]

Overnight Packraft upper Whanganui River

21st to 22nd October 2018 – Upper Whanganui River from Taumarunui Staying overnight in Bivvies at Poukaria then finishing up at Whakahoro. Jet boated back the same way courtesy of Taumarunui Canoe Hire.

First Non Gallery Post

An attempt to consolidate my “personal web presence” as it were to be all on NUI.NZ away from having it effectively strewn across three (3) separate Internet domains… (or was it 4 domains actually?)

Ananui Falls return walk from Franklin Road

30th September 2018 – Return Walk from Franklin Road, Waitawheta, Bluff Stream Kauri, then unnamed track to Ananui Falls. Return back the same way along unnamed route, then clock wise around Bluff Stream Kauri. and back to the car park along Waitawheta. Just under 7 hours at a slightly faster than my usual pace. (Overheated […]

Otara Bay + Wharekirauponga Track

29th September 2018 – Back to the Coromandel to try and walk some tracks that will be (partially) closing soon. Ended up to be more of a slow leisurely road trip. Attempt to do Lynch Stream Track thwarted, only got to the far end of Otara Bay and a bit inland before being greeted with […]

Wharawhara Track + Te Rereatukahia

Wharawhara track, through Cashmores Clearing, Past Wahine Rock, then to Te Rereatukahia Hut for the night before returning back to carpark at Wharawhara Road. Cashmores Clearing is another one on the list proposed to be closed.

French Polynesia, Tahiti Nui + Moorea

Mid September 2018 – Weekend “Whistle stop” to Tahiti (French Polynesia) to tour around the Island of Tahiti Nui and Moorea. Summary of the trip as follows. Crossing the Date Line, arrived at Papeete early on Friday Morning (Tahiti Time). Picked up a rental car and drove to our accommodation for the night, an Air […]

Whakarewarewa Redwoods Treewalk

21st August 2018 – Whakarewarewa Redwoods Treewalk and other touristy pursuits in Rotovegas