The Trans Pacific Partnership agreement (TPP) had just been signed in New Zealand
The protests that had taken place in Auckland were moving to Waitangi
The Treaty Ground.
For Waitangi Day
Waitangi Treaty Monument
A major issue for the Maori is that the provisions of the TPP may over ride major aspects of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Waitangi Day – 6 February 2016
For the visiting sailor it was the calm anchorages of the Bay of Islands that called
Paradise Bay (Oneura Bay) behind Urupukapuka Island was calm and the water welcoming on this Waitangi Day
Looking across Paradise Bay
Then on to Okahu Passage to climb to the top Waewaetorea Island
The little chartered boat in Okahu Passage
And views across the Bay of Islands
Looking west along the Bay of IslandsLooking West along Te Rawhiti Passage
And back to Paradise Bay by sunset
Sunset behind Paradise Bay
Waitangi – The Boat
Classic Yacht – Waitangi
The Waitangi is one of the most beautiful classic boats I have seen and have been lucky enough to sail on
Waitangi has a rich history which included being restored by a group of sailors in Williamstown – my home port in Victoria, Australia. As it turned out I was only a couple of degrees of separation from one of the syndicate that restored Waitangi and so had the joy of sailing on her.
She was a true restoration with no winches and only human strength to raise and trim the sails. I remember hauling on the ropes – three of four of us to set the top sail.
And now here she lies in the New Zealand Maritime Museum just under the great big red boat Steinlager2 which won the round the world race.
These are my three aspects of significance about Waitangi emerging from a recent trip to New Zealand.