Cape Reinga

Cape Reinga is right up the top of the North Island of New Zealand where the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Ocean meet. You see the choppy bits in the ocean behind me in the top pic, thats the two oceans colliding. Apparently high tide of each ocean is an hour apart causing one to crash into towards the other one.
On the way back down we did some sand boarding on some huge sand dunes at the top of ninety mile beach (actually more like 50ish mile beach) which we then drove along in our tour bus. woohoo.

Bay of Islands

After Auckland I spent a few days relaxing at the Bay of Islands. The area is a few hours north of Auckland and funnily enough is a coastal area and bay made up of loads of islands (144 or so, although I think they were including every little rock that stuck out the water). Paihia is the name of the main town there. Its a really relaxing place and as I'd been here a few months earlier big game fishing on a stag do I decided just to chill out for a few days. I took a short ferry ride across to Russel which is a small village that used to be the capital when whalers and the like first landed in New Zealand. It was known as the 'Hell Hole of the Pacific' due to there been no police at the time and all sorts of roughians and brothels. Was a bit surprised to float up and find a very picturesque white picket fence village . It did have the oldest licensed pub in new Zealand which smelt a bit musty so must have been old!
Just above Paihia is Waitangi, where the historic Waintangi agreement was signed between the Maori chiefs and the British to signify a truce and to arrange to live in peace and protect Maori rights and land. However due to 'misunderstandings' between the Maori and British translations there are still arguments going on today through the Waitangi Tribunal to settle land disputes between the crown and Maori tribes. This is quite an emotive issue for Maoris who protest every year at the anniversary of the signing of the Waitangi agreement.

Auckland Sky Tower - even more pics from tall buidlings

Auckland

After hearing negative things about Auckland from a lot of people I've met in New Zealand its actually got some decent places to visit. The city centre itself is just another city but Davenport on the north shore is a very pleasant place to kill some time, as is Waiheke island a short ferry ride away which is a small island with lots of winery's and nice beaches and apparently a micro climate that can be 5degrees warmer than the mainland although it felt the same to me when i was visiting. Auckland Museum (above) was also worth a visit and contained abit about Maori culture and history as well as general information on New Zealand and its environment. Also did a walk along the underside of the harbour bridge that had some great views of the city skyline and all the yachts moored in the harbour.

Mai Ora

Rotorua

Tongariro Crossing

Taupo

Wellington

Kaikorra 2

Fiordland & Milford Sound

Fiordland is an area at the south-west part of the South Island and is categorised by a long stretch of mountains running up the west coast. Theres some amazing panoramic views especially on the route from Te Anua to Milford Sounds where the majority of these pics were taken at. Milford Sounds is spectacular with mountains rising almost vertically from the water to some heights and numerous waterfalls spilling down the sides.