It all started when director and producer Peter Jackson was traveling around the North Island in New Zealand. He was looking for a suitable location to film his new project. While flying around the area in a helicopter, Peter spotted a farm called Alexander. The owners of the farm – the Alexander brothers – lived and worked here since 1978. It is worth noting that at that time they owned 1250 sheep and 300 Angus bulls. The farm brought a good income, and the Alexanders were not going to change anything in their lives. However, an acquaintance with the director turned everything upside down. The family became infected with the idea of creating Hobbiton and agreed to build an unusual village. Work began on the reconstruction of the sheep farm in 1999. It took almost a year to build the sets! In total, more than 400 people worked here.
Peter Jackson didn’t want to build the sets out of cardboard. Absolutely everything in Hobbiton was built for real. The New Zealand Army was even involved in the work. For example, for example, the road to Hobbiton 1.5 kilometers long was built by soldiers. The houses of hobbits are made of wood and plastic. Moreover, beautiful gardens were laid out all over the area and a living barberry fence was made.

As a result, 44 hobbit houses, a mill, an arched bridge, the Green Dragon pub and even winding streets appeared on the site of the former sheep farm. At the end of the filming process, Hobbiton was not dismantled, but left as it was. The owners of the farm are so imbued with Tolkien’s ideas that they decided to preserve an unusual fairy-tale village for tourists. True, on the condition that the guides will free them from the constant questioning of visitors.

In Hobbiton there are daily excursions. It is possible to see absolutely all local attractions. The only thing – you can not get inside the hobbit houses. But to have a snack and a beer in the famous inn “Green Dragon” is easy. Don’t forget to bring your camera, Hobbiton is a great place for fun photo shoots. By the way, all tourists are given food for hand sheep. In addition, here it is allowed to feed milk to very young lambs.

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General information

Tongariro is one of the oldest reserves in the world, as it was opened in the 19th century. It is also the first national park to be established in New Zealand.

According to historians, the creation of the park is largely due to the chief of the local tribe, who in 1877 gave British settlers three sacred volcanoes with the condition that a protected area would be created around them. Those agreed to fulfill the conditions, and subsequently around the volcanoes grew a full-fledged reserve, the status of which was finally formalized in 1894. Today the area of the national park is approximately 79.5 thousand km². Since 1993, Tongariro has been under the protection of UNESCO.

Relief

A large part of the reserve is made up of deserted rocky areas, among which you can find small areas of greenery and water bodies. In the center of the reserve are three sacred volcanoes (Ngauruhoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu). They are scientifically active, although only the last one erupts.

Lake Rotopunamu

Another geographical attraction of the park is Lake Rotopunamu. It was formed about 10 thousand years ago after a landslide. The peculiarity of the water body is the absence of above-ground runoff.

Flora and fauna

The northwestern borders of the park are occupied by dense tropical forest. You can also see areas overgrown with beech trees. Mountain, red and silver beech are especially common here, as well as manuka, which is very ornamental. Other representatives of the local flora include ferns, mosses and lichens, heather and bluegrass.

Tongariro National Park, waterfall, rocks

The animal world of Tongariro is also unusually diverse. Birds are especially abundant here, and visitors can easily see gray kiwi, tui, gray warbler and New Zealand falcon. The reserve is also home to endemic animals – several species of bats. Ermines, rabbits, rabbits, muskrats and opossums are not uncommon here.

Entertainment and recreation

Tongariro offers its visitors a lot of entertainment. There are many hiking trails in the park. Some routes can be completed in a day, but there are also those that will take at least 3 days. You can relax in numerous lodges and cottages.

Kiwi Bird

The one-day route through the volcanic terrain is particularly popular. Its length is a little over 19 kilometers. You can walk it in 7 and a bit hours in summer, in winter the walk will last a little longer. It is advisable to make the crossing only in clear, dry weather, as there is a risk of serious damage in strong winds or low visibility.

Other activities include rafting, fishing, mountain biking and rock climbing. And in winter, the reserve turns into a popular ski resort. Numerous ski elevators are provided for the convenience of visitors.

Since some scenes from the popular movie “Lord of the Rings” were filmed in the reserve, visitors can go on an excursion to the places where the plot unfolded.

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Seven kilometers west of the town in a beautiful forest, lurks as small as the town, but known throughout the country, the mirror lake Metison, travel to which is no less popular than the glacier itself.

History

Apparently, Fox Glacier, like its nearest neighbor Franz, was once part of a larger glacier that formed thirteen thousand years ago, during the last ice age, but then separated and became an independent glacier. Fox Glacier then reached the Tasman Sea, but gradually retreated, forming new landforms in the process, particularly Lake Matheson. The first inhabitants of these places were the Maori, and they gave the glacier its name. There is a legend that Fox Glacier, like Franz Glacier, is the glaciated tears of a desperate maiden, Hina Huketer, who grieved for her beloved Tu Awe. Te Moeka o Tu Awe-“Tu Awe’s bed”-or deathbed. That’s the Maori name for the glacier.

There is information that the first European to see the Fox Glacier was a young Leonard Harper. He visited the glacier in 1852 and even called it “Albert”. But this name did not survive, as Harper did not register his discovery. In 1865, gold was discovered in the area of the glacier and throngs of prospectors flocked here. A settlement of 600 people sprang up on the site of the present town of Fox Glacier. But the gold rush passed quickly and the area was deserted. It was remembered a little later. In 1872, the Fox Glacier was visited by the country’s Prime Minister William Fox, and the glacier was named after him. From that time, probably, the glory of the world-famous glacier began. In 1998, after the adoption of the law on settlement of claims of the Ngai Tahu tribe, the glacier changed its European name and became officially called Te Moeka Tuawe.

Glacier

Beginning its journey at 2,600 meters above sea level, the Fox Glacier descends towards the coast and stops at three hundred meters, creating a spectacular contrast with the tropical greenery of the rainforest. Fox is larger than its neighbor Franz, as it is thirteen kilometers long. It is fed by snowfall, which forms an approximately thirty kilometer annual layer at its headwaters. The huge area of snow accumulation at the top of the glacier is 36 square kilometers, which is larger than the area of all of Christchurch. The snow compacts, turning into ice. Over time, it accumulates hundreds of meters and this ice under pressure rolls down the glacier bed into the wet forest, where it is warmer and rains, being another three hundred meters thick. This can be compared to the effect of toothpaste squeezed out of a tube. The speed of the ice flow is ten times faster than other glaciers, so the landscape of the ice sheet is constantly changing. The action occurs because of the particular shape of the glacial valley and the large accumulation of snow and ice at the top. As it moves, the ice breaks, forming deep gorges and creating a very beautiful but also very dangerous landscape. Downstream, the Fox Glacier is melting, feeding the Fox River with its meltwater. It has been melting for the last hundred years. In addition, the melting of the glacier is also affected by global warming. In 2006, the glacier was retreating one meter per week.

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The Importance of Marae Committees

Marae promote –

• A better understanding of cultural structures and their importance
• A knowledge of genealogy and the links to other tribes in this area
• An understanding of the Maori language. It’s place in formal and recreational use.
• An awareness of the diversity and uniqueness of each Marae
• An appreciation of the diversity of Marae by experiencing first-hand the people, the stories and the places

Waimarama is one of the oldest Marae in the Heretaunga area. The people of Waimarama connect back to the ancient people who first occupied this land. It is a Marae close to the sea. The customs and practices of the people there reflect their relationship with Tangaroa, the sea god.
Most people arrive in Waimarama to enjoy the sandy beaches, surfing, fishing and other leisure time activities. For all that there is to enjoy there is a side to Waimarama that is not usually experienced. These are the sacred and mysterious places, the legends and the myths, the battles lost and won, of sacrifice and new beginnings. It is the weave that binds the native people of Waimarama.
The Waimarama Maori Committee is committed to ensuring that these things are not forgotten and like all Marae committees they are busily engaged in ensuring that correct cultural practices are maintained, the language is promoted and, the many sacred places are remembered and protected.

A lesser known task is having to deal with all the social problems that beset our people. It is a difficult path to negotiate.
To the many committees throughout the land we are grateful for the many hours of voluntary work to maintain and support the rich cultural inheritance of Marae as well as provide leadership and direction to those people who belong, the hau kainga.
Kia kaha, Kia manawanui

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From the coast we visit the remnant of Hakikino on our family’s Conservation Reserve. As you walk the pathways and experience the remaining pockets of native plants, native forests and wetland areas, you will gain insight as to how these ancient people lived here and appreciate why this fortress settlement would dominate this coastline for over 300 years.

The preservation of this culturally important and archaeologically significant site led us to establish a native plant nursery and create the Hakikino Conservation Reserve.

Let one of our family members share with you these sacred sites: the bush lore, the folk lore, the culture and the language: all of which continue to shape the hopes and aspirations of the people today.

This tour provides you with an insider’s perspective on being Maori and relates historical and contemporary Maori culture from a unique and personal point of view in our home village of Waimarama. It’s a friendly and relaxed encounter.

This is not amongst the most challenging of Hawke’s Bay walks, but a moderate level of fitness is required. We recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes.

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The Spirit of Te Reo Māori

To grasp the essence of te reo Māori, one must understand its cultural underpinnings. Language is much more than a system of communication; it encapsulates a worldview, expressing a community’s relationship with the environment, history, and spirituality. Te reo Māori is no exception, serving as a conduit for Māori values such as whanaungatanga (kinship), manaakitanga (hospitality), and kaitiakitanga (stewardship of the environment).

Here, the significance of te wiki o te reo Māori lies in its power to bring these values to light, urging people to reflect on how they can embody them in their everyday interactions. Walk into schools, workplaces, or public arenas teeming with newly learned Māori phrases, and you’ll see not just words, but the heart of a culture being embraced and perpetuated.

Break Down the Barriers: Learning Te Reo Māori

Māori Language Week is a call to action, a beckoning to both Māori and non-Māori New Zealanders to break the linguistic barriers and engage with te reo. But learning a language is not just about passive absorption of vocabulary. It’s an active engagement with grammar, syntax, and, crucially, with the community that speaks it.

For language learners, Māori Language Week can mark the beginning of a lifelong pursuit. There are multiple avenues for learning, from formal classes to online resources, each offering a different perspective on the language. The key is consistency—a little practice every day goes a long way in making te reo a part of one’s mental furniture.

Te Reo Māori in Popular Culture

Māori Language Week also showcases the increasing presence of te reo Māori in popular culture. From music to film, from poetry to visual art, Māori language and motifs are assimilated into the wider New Zealand identity. By becoming a part of the creative expression, te reo Māori gains visibility and desirability, further breaking down the barriers and stigmas associated with indigenous languages.

Artists like Tiki Taane, Katchafire, and Moana Maniapoto have been instrumental in popularizing songs in te reo, making them chart-toppers and ambassadors of the language. Similarly, films like “Once Were Warriors” and “Dead Lands” have featured Māori dialogue, adding authenticity and depth to their narratives. Each cultural product becomes a stepping stone for the language, inviting the audience to engage with it in a meaningful way.

Sustaining the Momentum Beyond Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori

The challenge for te reo Māori advocates is to ensure that this momentum lasts beyond Māori Language Week. The language must be afforded the same status as English, with equal opportunities for learning and application. This requires institutional support in education, government, and the media.

New Zealanders can do their part by incorporating te reo Māori into their daily lives in small, meaningful ways. Greeting friends with a “kia ora” or counting their change with Māori numerals may seem inconsequential, but it’s the accumulation of these moments that can lead to a seismic shift in language usage.

Conclusion

Te wiki o te reo Māori is more than an event—it’s an invitation to join a movement of linguistic and cultural revitalization. By understanding the deeper meanings and integrating te reo into our lives, we enrich our society and pay homage to the Māori people. It’s about time we all said “kia kaha” (be strong) to te reo Māori; in doing so, we recognize its importance and commit to its ongoing survival. As a language, as a culture, and as a people, te reo Māori deserves to be celebrated every week, every day, and in every way possible.

FAQ

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Franz Josef Glacier is the “fastest” glacier in the world. In a day the ice travels a decent distance, about 2 meters per hour. Thanks to the melt water there is the Taiho River and several lakes. Numerous waterfalls descend from the mountains surrounding the peculiar canyon.

There is a very beautiful and sad legend connected with the Franz Josef Glacier. The girl Hinehukatere loved mountains more than anything else in the world. One day she decided to show the local beauty to her young man – the boy Tawa. Alas, the young men were caught in a landslide, and Tawa could not escape. Hinehukatere cried so hard that her tears gave rise to a glacier. So it’s no coincidence that the landmark is called “Hinehukatare’s Tears” in the Māori language. The length of Franz Josef Glacier is 12 kilometers. You can go horseback riding around it.

The first mention of Franz Josef Glacier dates back to 1859. It was then that it was seen by people sailing nearby on the ship “Marie-Louise”. Six years later, German explorer Julius von Haast gave it a name in honor of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph.

Interestingly, it is the world’s “fastest” glacier. In a day the ice travels a decent distance, about 2 meters in an hour. Thanks to the melt water there is the Taiho River and several lakes. Numerous waterfalls descend from the mountains surrounding the peculiar canyon. The Franz Josef Glacier descends from the Southern Alps and passes through the temperate wet New Zealand forest.

Not far from this attraction is the small town of Franz Joseph. This peculiar tourist center has cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, hotels and even a helipad. Why do you think it’s here? Simple. From here tourists climb the main field of Franz Josef glacier by helicopters. Local companies offer a variety of options to see the glacier: there are small walking tours, and there are complex multi-day hikes. In any case, you will need comfortable sports clothes, mountain boots, spiked “cats” and ice axes.

There are more than 60 glaciers in Westland National Park. But the most famous of them are Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier. You can make such a journey on your own or with an experienced guide. By the way, tourists can also make an excursion through the grottos and tunnels of the glacier. Keep in mind that very close directly to the glacier can not be approached. The fact is that at any moment a rockfall can begin here, or suddenly fly huge blocks of ice.

Franz Josef Glacier can be visited at any time of the year.

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William Larnack, who came to New Zealand from his native Australia in 1867 on the wave of the gold rush that swept the country, himself chose the place for the future castle, and it must be said that he was not mistaken with the choice. The castle stands on a hill across the bay from the town of Dunedin and the port of Chalmers, with stunning views of the bay and the ocean. The owner of the castle, a shipowner himself, has seen every ship that has entered the harbor. It must be said that it was on Larnaca ships that the first refrigerators were installed, which allowed the export of New Zealand meat to Europe to finally begin.

The construction of the castle lasted three years and was completed in 1871, but its interior decoration by craftsmen from Europe continued for another 12 years! Materials for the construction and decoration of the castle came from all over the world: marble from Italy, slate from Wales, floor tiles from England, glass from Venice and France. Local precious woods were also used – ceilings made of kauri, floors made of rimu and paneling made of honeysuckle. In 1885, a ballroom of 280 square meters was added to the castle. Larnac spared no expense in building his dream home. He called it The Camp. This name is tiled in the lobby of the castle.

William Larnac was an influential politician and a successful businessman. He moved to New Zealand from New South Wales after accepting a position as Governor of the Bank of Central Otago. He was a banker, shipowner, farmer and MP with progressive views. For example, he supported Kate Sheppard’s fight for women’s suffrage. Her portrait is featured on the modern New Zealand $10 bill.

Eliza, William’s first wife, who bore him six children, died in 1880m at the age of 38, when their youngest daughter Gladys was still an infant. Two years later William married Eliza’s half-sister Mary, but she too died five years later at the same age of 38. On January 27, 1891, William married for the third time to a woman from a noble and influential Wellington family, Constance de Basie Brandon. The groom was 57 years old and the bride was 35. The groom’s youngest son Douglas Larnac was only 7 years younger than his new stepmother, so it is not surprising that Douglas and Constance fell in love. Their tumultuous romance developed in the castle and its beautiful gardens. Constance became pregnant, but was going to get rid of the child without revealing the secret to her husband, however, Douglas wrote a frank letter to his father. On October 12, 1898, in his office in the Parliament House, William Larnac shot himself. He left no suicide note. The official reason for his suicide was impending bankruptcy and the loss of his parliamentary seat, but Owen Marshall, the author of the novel The Larnacs, insists on a more romantic version – a wife and son liaison. Be that as it may, the truth is forever hidden in Dunedin North Cemetery in a crypt built as a miniature replica of Robert Lawsen’s First Church.

William Larnack left no will, which seems rather odd considering his situation and suicide. After his father’s death, there was a struggle for inheritance between his children, but the eldest son Donald did everything to disinherit his brother Douglas, a traitor and “patricide”. In 1906 the Larnac family sold the castle to the Otago Regional Government for £3,000. Since then, the castle has been used as a hospital for the mentally ill and, during World War I, for soldiers with disturbed minds. From 1918 to 1967 the castle changed hands and was reduced to a very poor state of repair. When Barry and Margaret Barker from the USA bought the castle in 1967, it was almost in ruins. The Barker family has worked hard to restore the castle building and its interiors. Today, Larnaca Castle is one of the main attractions of Dunedin, where it is a pleasure to visit. The Barkers bought back and returned the once sold out Larnaca furniture, paintings and crockery to the castle so that visitors can see the original items and furnishings from the late 19th century. The gardens of Larnaca Castle are a work of art by landscape designers, past and present. In good sunny weather, which is not often enjoyed by the locals, the castle gardens become a paradise. As you walk along their intricate paths overlooking the picturesque bay, pictures from the past come to mind. William Larnacus is on the tower of the castle, gazing at a ship entering Chalmers harbor. Eliza, in an elegant dress, walks arm in arm with her eldest daughter Kate. And here is Douglas and Constance kissing passionately in the gazebo over the cliff…..

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The subject was raised by Timoti Karetu at the receiving of his award at the Marae. Notwithstanding his blood ties to Waimarama, Timoti was a whāngai and a very spoilt one at that.

Our ancestors were very realistic people and despite all of the biological urges that would fuel the drive to widen the gene pool there was a much more matter of fact approach when it came to ‘whangai’ or adoption.

Children are given on request. There is no stigma or attempt to hide parentage and there is no attempt to isolate the child from their biological family. Whangai children are highly valued and often very spoilt. A recent TV programme on ‘whangai’ highlighted the fact that many contemporary Maori leaders were and are ‘whangai’

An interesting ‘whangai’ story here in Waimarama is almost a reversal of the Maori practice. In the 1860s Gertrude Meinertzhagen, one of the great farming station owners here in Waimarama asked for and was given a young Maori baby boy called Tame Te Hauturu.

Tame Te Hauturu was the son of Wi TeMaangi and Horiana Te Wharepu, high ranking leaders in Waimarama at that time. It is possible to take a somewhat cynical view of this adoption as much of the land currently being leased by Gertrude belonged to Tame Te Hauturu’s parents.

Tame Te Hauturu was raised alongside Gertrude’s other children appearing in family portraits. Even when Gertrude returned to live in England Tame Te Hauturu accompanied them. Sadly he contracted hooping cough and died there; aged seven I think.  His memorial gravestone is still there today, a testament to a cherished child.

‘Whangai ‘ are often downgraded because of their so called ‘lack of true blood’. I have spoken of this before and will say it again.

‘Genealogy tells us where you have come from but is no indicator of your worth and value as a person, that is up to you’

‘Whangai’ are important.

The last word should be left to the people who first introduced the concept of ‘whangai’ our ancestors.

If they were here today they would still proudly declare their love and support for these sons and daughters and that is enough.

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A tongue in cheek quote from his funeral….

‘Hemi was the only member of our rugby club who entered the court through the front door and exited that same door at the end of each working day’.

Earlier in the month, I attended the funeral of my cousin Phillipa at Omahu Marae. Church services for my cousin were conducted by the Ratana Church and supported by the Ratana Band. This created a wave of nostalgia that took me back to those same school days. Memories of the ‘band’ bringing my cousin’s father home to Waimarama. What an occasion that was. We were entranced at the pumping brass band, the shiny buttoned red jackets and the veiled women. It was more than a funeral march; it was a parade – a celebration of life.

We have no idea of life’s measure and neither should we. A lifetime preparing to die is wasted. My cousin’s measure was seventy-eight years and as I looked upon her face for the last time I realised that despite all the tears and sadness it was indeed a life well lived.

No reira, haere, haere, haere atu ra e nga Rangatira.

Another ‘farewell’ that occurred recently may not have had the same meaning but for me, it was a ‘parting’ nevertheless. My brother and his wife returned to the South Island to live.

My brother and I are the youngest of our family. We have taken different paths’ but our lives have always crossed and touched and collided at times.
For the last fifteen years, I have enjoyed his company here in Waimarama but I do understand their desire to be closer to their family and grandchildren in Christchurch.

I listened to the tributes paid to them at their farewell. Family and friends shared their recollections. Treasured moments and lots of laughter. One thing that I can say about this ‘parting’ that I could not say before is: ‘it ain’t over yet’.
I will be keeping an eagle eye on those ‘grabaseat’ flights to Christchurch.
My brother Glenn stayed with me for two nights before departing to the South Island at 3 am in the morning.

He told me that I was not to bother getting up at that time as he didn’t want to ‘see me blubbing all over the place’

I do want to say that he is the ‘teina’ and that I am the ‘tuakana’. Did I listen to him? Certainly not.

No reira, taku teina me to hoa Rangatira. Kia pai ta korua haere ki Otautahi, ta korua noho ki reira hoki. Haere atu ra.

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