NEW ZEALAND
NEW ZEALAND by: Haziq Iskandar. 1
HURAKI GULF
Gulf
The gulf is part of the Pacific Ocean, which it joins to the north and east. It is largely protected from the Pacific by Great Barrier Island and Little Barrier Island to the north, and by the 80-kilometre-long Coromandel Peninsula to the east. It is thus well protected against all but northern winds. Three large channels join the gulf to the Pacific. Colville Channel lies between the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier, Cradock Channel lies between the two islands, and Jellicoe Channel lies between Little Barrier and the North Auckland Peninsula. To the north of Auckland several peninsulas jut into the gulf, notably the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. Tiritiri Matangi Island is near the end of this peninsula. Further north, Kawau Island nestles under the Tawharanui Peninsula.
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Islands
In the west of the gulf lie a string of islands guarding the mouth of the Waitemata Harbour, one of Auckland's two harbours. These include Ponui Island, Waiheke Island, Tiritiri Matangi and the iconic dome of Rangitoto Island (a dormant volcano), which is connected to the much older Motutapu Island by a causeway. The islands are separated from the mainland by the Tamaki Strait and Rangitoto Channel. Other islands in the gulf include Browns Island, Motuihe Island, Pakihi Island, Pakatoa Island, Rakino Island, and Rotoroa Island in the inner gulf, around Waiheke and Rangitoto; Tarahiki Island just east of Waiheke; Motukawao Islands and Whanganui Island in the lee of the Coromandel Peninsula; and Channel Island in the outer gulf.
Firth of Thames
At the southern end of the gulf is the wide, relatively shallow Firth of Thames. Beyond this lie the Hauraki Plains, drained by the Waihou River and the Piako River. The Hunua Ranges and hills of the Coromandel Peninsula rise on either side of the Firth. Numerous beaches dot the shores of the gulf, many of them well known for swimming and surfing. During the last glaciation period the gulf was dry land, with the sea level being around 100–110 m (300 ft) lower than at present. [2] The gulf was submerged when the sea reached its current level around 7200 years ago.
THE GLACIERS
I visited Maungatautari one
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weekend to take part in a Kiwi health check experience. I arrived at the stated time, feeling pretty excited about the afternoon to come. However, when I checked in, the volunteer at the visitors centre looked dismayed and told me she didn't think it was running that day. I was so disappointed to hear this, and quite confused as to what had happened. The team at Maungatautari, it seemed, were as at a loss as I was, and offered me a private tour of their Wetland reserve whilst they tried to sort everything out. I headed with my guide down to the wetland area as he explained the predator
KIWIS
proof fence and the other methods of keeping the native species safe. The main attractions in the wetland reserve are the Takahe and the Tuatara. The Takahe is a flightless bird so endangered that it was once thought to be extinct, until a population was found in the mountains in Fjordland. I was lucky to spot a breeding pair and their one year old offspring; the offspring tend to stay with the parents for up to 18months, but the newly hatched Takahe remained out of sight. The Tuatara is a much older species than the Takahe; this reptile was walking the earth alongside the dinosaurs! Found only in New Zealand, the
Tuatara are also endangered and are no longer found in the wild on mainland New Zealand. Their population decline is not only due to predators, but also due to their slow breeding habits; tuatara breed about every two years, and the eggs take up to two years to hatch! Maungatautari reserve have 22 Tuatara in their wetland area. Sightings can be tricky, so I was thrilled to see three Tuatara, including a male and female sharing a burrow (a sign of impending breeding) - a truly Jurassic experience!
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RIVERS OF GUATA
MOUNT RUAPEHU Glaciers are made up of fallen snow that, over many years, compresses into large, thickened ice masses. Glaciers form when snow remains in one location long enough to transform into ice. What makes glaciers unique is their ability to move. Due to sheer mass, glaciers flow like very slow rivers. Some glaciers are as small as football fields, while others grow to be dozens or even hundreds of kilometers long. Presently, glaciers occupy about 10 percent of the world's total land area, with most located in polar regions like Antarctica, Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic. Glaciers can be thought of as remnants from the last Ice Age, when ice covered nearly 32 percent of the land, and 30 percent 6
of the oceans. Most glaciers lie within mountain ranges that show evidence of a much greater extent during the ice ages of the past two million years, and more recent indications of retreat in the past few centuries. This photo was taken during a flight over the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Bird Glacier is visible in the background, with Darwin Glacier in the foreground. —Credit: Courtesy Ted Scambos and Rob Bauer, NSIDC Megadunes Web site An Ice Age occurs when cool temperatures endure for extended periods of time, allowing polar ice to advance into lower latitudes. For example, during the last Ice Age, giant glacial ice sheets extended from the poles to cover most of Canada, all of New England, much of the upper
Midwestern United States, large areas of Alaska, most of Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard and other Arctic islands, Scandinavia, much of Great Britain and Ireland, and northwestern Russia. Within the past 750,000 years, scientists know that there have been eight Ice Age cycles, separated by warmer periods called interglacial periods. Currently, the Earth is nearing the end of an interglacial, meaning that another Ice Age is due in a few thousand years. This is part of the normal climate variation cycle. Scientists still have many questions to answer about climate change. Although glaciers change very slowly over long periods, they may provide important global climate change signals. 7
THE TRIP The Wairoa River provides the most action packed grade 5 rafting in the country - with rapids such as the "Roller Coaster", "Devils Elbow" and "Mothers Nightmare" - to name but a few. This Is NZ's Best Grade Five White Water Action! Post trip enjoy the complimentary "River Side BBQ lunch and refreshments" The River is Dam controlled and only releases 26 Sundays
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a year. The Wairoa River flows from the Kaimai Ranges - situated above the city of Tauraunga - a two hour drive from our River Base in Turangi. This means we can either transport you to the River from our river base in Turangi or pick you up from our Taupo facility White Water World as we travel north to the river. Or alternatively you can choose to meet us at Mclaren Falls Reserve, which is where the river begins we supply comprehensive directions of where to drive to upon booking. All on river apparell, professional guides and rafting equipment is provided - all you need is a reasonable level of fitness and a great
attitude! This photo was taken during a flight over the Antarctic Ice Sheet. Bird Glacier is visible in the background, with Darwin Glacier in the foreground. —Credit: Courtesy Ted Scambos and Rob Bauer, NSIDC Megadunes Web site An Ice Age occurs when cool temperatures endure for extended periods of time, allowing polar ice to advance into lower latitudes. For example, during the last Ice Age, giant glacial ice sheets extended from the poles to cover most of Canada, all of New England, much of the upper Midwestern United States, large areas of Alaska, most of Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard and other Arctic islands, Scandinavia, much of Great Britain and Ireland, and northwestern Russia.
The Acheron lies in the wide open spaces of inland Marlborough and with road access for all its length it’s a good paddle for those who like scenery with their paddling. Most of the river is easy single channel with a few corners, but there are a number of bedrock rapids which require class II and III skills to negotiate. The river is best with flows in the 20-50 cumecs flow range, but it is still a scenic float plus bony rapids run at 15-20 cumecs.
The gulf is part of the Pacific Ocean, which it joins to the north and east. It is largely protected from the Pacific by Great Barrier Island and Little Barrier Island to the north, and by the 80-kilometre-long Coromandel Peninsula to the east. It is thus well protected against all but northern winds.
The put in can suit your timetable, but about 25km upriver the river is braided Class I and mostly of interest for bird watchers and fishers. The access is via the Molesworth road via Hanmer Springs and Jacks Pass and access details are available on DoC website. Generally you can get on this road between Christmas and early April, but kayakers can ask DoC Marlborough or DoC Waimakariri for access. The road is OK for cars with reasonable ground clearance. 9
Cradock Channel lies between the two islands, and Jellicoe Channel lies between Little Barrier and the North Auckland Peninsula. To the north of Auckland several peninsulas jut into the gulf, notably the Whangaparaoa Peninsula. Tiritiri Matangi Island is near the end of this peninsula. Further north, Kawau Island nestles under the Tawharanui Peninsula.
Three large channels join the gulf to the Pacific. Colville Channel lies between the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier,
In the west of the gulf lie a string of islands guarding the mouth of the Waitemata Harbour, one of Auckland's two harbours. These include Ponui Island, Waiheke Island, Tiritiri Matangi and the iconic dome of Rangitoto Island (a dormant volcano), which is connected to the much older Motutapu Island by a causeway. The islands are separated from the mainland by the Tamaki Strait and Rangitoto Channel.
Other islands in the gulf include Browns Island, Motuihe Island, Pakihi Island, Pakatoa Island, Rakino Island, and Rotoroa Island in the inner gulf, around Waiheke and Rangitoto; Tarahiki Island just east of Waiheke; Motukawao Islands and Whanganui Island in the lee of the Coromandel Peninsula; and Channel Island in the outer gulf.
Pretty old: Whanganui has the highest concentration of heritage buildings in the country. Glass act: This place is home to New Zealand's only glass school. More than 300 artists are thought to live in the region, 40 of those glass artists. New Zealand's only opera school is in the city, too. Town fiestas: The internationally renowned Cemetery Circuit has been raced for more than 60 years and is the Southern Hemisphere's equivalent of the Isle of Man motorcycle road race. At the end of March artists open their studios over two weekends while the Vintage Weekend (over Wellington Anniversary Weekend in January) is three days of fun with the River City Caboodle featuring vintage cars and displays, even a soapbox derby. The Billy Webb Challenge, New Zealand's longest river rowing race, is also a doozy. There's an opera week, literary festival, basketball and jetboat sprints.
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Here for a short time? Visit the river traders' and farmers' market on the riverbank on Saturday morning, admire the heritage buildings, wander along the river,
across the bridge, pop up the tower, and check out the galleries and museums. In short, soak up the atmosphere.
Zealand's nine Great Walks is actually the Whanganui River by canoe - everyone should do it at least once because it's amazing.
For the kids: Visit amazing beaches or ride bikes along the river's boardwalks and trails. Go to Riverland Family Park for karting, mini golf, pools and more, right next to the ...
Best views: From Durie Hill Tower, take the underground elevator 66m to enjoy views across the city, river and out to the sea. Built of shell rock with visible fossils and just 100m away, Memorial Tower is 3.5m higher if you're fit enough to tackle 175 steps up the spiral staircase. On a fine day you'll see Ruapehu and Taranaki.
Best park: Kowhai Park is legendary with giant trees, small train, wet play area. The main playground has dinosaurs, octopuses and a giant pumpkin. Further along the river you'll find treehouses, flying fox and skateboard park.
Best facilities: The i-site, housed in a beautiful heritage building, plays native birdsong throughout and the tweeting is most prominent when you're in the loo.
Best walks: South Beach is isolated and rugged with the best driftwood. Virginia Lake is popular for walking, running and cycling. Strolling along the river is delightful, too. The greatest walk: One of New
Best place to pull over: Whanganui River Rd follows the river to Pipiriki, stacked with history. There are heaps of places to stop; Aramoana Viewpoint is highly recommended. Best swim: You can't beat the beach but the river is also perfect for making a splash. Jump off the jetty or go to Mosquito Point where there's a super tyre swing. Best museum: Whanganui Regional Museum is filled with taonga. It'll soon open the world's largest exhibit of moa bones, including one of only six intact moa eggs.