New Zealand
Travel report from New Zealand in January and February 1997

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A blowhole between the Pancake Rocks by Punakaiki in Paparoa National Park. The limestone rocks have formed here into what looks like stacks of pancakes. The blowhole is formed as sea caves grow landwards and upwards into vertical shafts and expose themselves towards the surface, which can result in quite spectacular blasts of water from the top of the blowhole if the geometry of the cave and blowhole and state of the weather are appropriate.
A blowhole between the Pancake Rocks by Punakaiki in Paparoa National Park. The limestone rocks have formed here into what looks like stacks of pancakes. The blowhole is formed as sea caves grow landwards and upwards into vertical shafts and expose themselves towards the surface, which can result in quite spectacular blasts of water from the top of the blowhole if the geometry of the cave and blowhole and state of the weather are appropriate.
Almost the whole second day of the two days Inland Pack Track in Paparoa National Park one follows a clear stream through a forested limestone canyon, the most time wading in water. At the first day of the walk it was important to stick to the track as there were numerous limestone sinkholes and potholes. Not only for people is this area with many limestones caves under the surface dangerous. The huge Moa birds, which reached about 3.7 m in height with neck outstretched, and weighed about 230 kg, crashed there over centuries too, so the caves in Paparoa National Park are the richest source of the Moa bones in the country. After the Maoris came to New Zealand in the 10-th century, they hunted the Moas in only 5 centuries to the extinction.
Almost the whole second day of the two days Inland Pack Track in Paparoa National Park one follows a clear stream through a forested limestone canyon, the most time wading in water. At the first day of the walk it was important to stick to the track as there were numerous limestone sinkholes and potholes. Not only for people is this area with many limestones caves under the surface dangerous. The huge Moa birds, which reached about 3.7 m in height with neck outstretched, and weighed about 230 kg, crashed there over centuries too, so the caves in Paparoa National Park are the richest source of the Moa bones in the country. After the Maoris came to New Zealand in the 10-th century, they hunted the Moas in only 5 centuries to the extinction.
The dense grow of the Nikau palm on the beach in Kahurangi National Park can fool anybody in thinking one is in the tropics. The Kahurangi NP in the northwest corner of South Island is the second largest national park in NZ. Through the park goes the Heaphy Track, the longest of the New Zealand's Great Walks (82 km). The track crosses big diversity of landscapes: lush forests, tussock downs and stunning coastline.
The dense grow of the Nikau palm on the beach in Kahurangi National Park can fool anybody in thinking one is in the tropics. The Kahurangi NP in the northwest corner of South Island is the second largest national park in NZ. Through the park goes the Heaphy Track, the longest of the New Zealand's Great Walks (82 km). The track crosses big diversity of landscapes: lush forests, tussock downs and stunning coastline.
Trekking through the grassy Gouland Downs one pass the
Trekking through the grassy Gouland Downs one pass the "boot pole", a pole on which trampers have tied old boots over the years. The question is, how the people managed to finish the Heaphy Track without their boots, because the "boot pole" is located quite in the middle of the trail, so there are still some days to go, no matter, whether one started the walk at the west or at the east end of the trail.
I arrived at this hut on the Perry Sattel at the elevation of 915 m at the next to last day on the Heaphy Track. Others as in the european Alps the huts in New Zealand are pure refuges, equipped only with wooden bunks. Each trekker have to carry the sleeping bag and all food for himself. I always preferred to stay over the night in my tent and only one time slept in the hut. It was on the Kepler Track in Fiordland due to the bad weather.
I arrived at this hut on the Perry Sattel at the elevation of 915 m at the next to last day on the Heaphy Track. Others as in the european Alps the huts in New Zealand are pure refuges, equipped only with wooden bunks. Each trekker have to carry the sleeping bag and all food for himself. I always preferred to stay over the night in my tent and only one time slept in the hut. It was on the Kepler Track in Fiordland due to the bad weather.
With the sea kayak along the coast in Abel Tasman National Park. The sea kayak is generally bigger than the whitewater kayak, it trades off the maneuverability for cargo capacity. Foot pedals in the cockpit are used primarily for steering and not the paddles.
With the sea kayak along the coast in Abel Tasman National Park. The sea kayak is generally bigger than the whitewater kayak, it trades off the maneuverability for cargo capacity. Foot pedals in the cockpit are used primarily for steering and not the paddles.
The Abel Tasman is renowned for its protected coastline, well suited for sea kayaking. Additionally the coastline has several scenic tidal inlets or estuaries worth to explore, like this one of the photo. There can be a range of up to 5.2 meters between high and low tides, so some of the inlets fall dry by the low tide. Each kayak driver have to keep this at the back of his head, if he doesn't want to strand for hours.
The Abel Tasman is renowned for its protected coastline, well suited for sea kayaking. Additionally the coastline has several scenic tidal inlets or estuaries worth to explore, like this one of the photo. There can be a range of up to 5.2 meters between high and low tides, so some of the inlets fall dry by the low tide. Each kayak driver have to keep this at the back of his head, if he doesn't want to strand for hours.
And of course there were a lot of beautiful, sandy beaches in Abel Tasman National Park. Our kayak group consisted of 3 persons. One of them was Renata, an australian girl, who worked at the time we met in Canada, having a cool occupation as outdoor teacher.
And of course there were a lot of beautiful, sandy beaches in Abel Tasman National Park. Our kayak group consisted of 3 persons. One of them was Renata, an australian girl, who worked at the time we met in Canada, having a cool occupation as outdoor teacher.
Size comparison between human and a tree fern. Thanks the wet climate New Zealand has 20 species of tree fern, so called because the plant's rhizomes form a tall woody trunk topped by a crown of fronds. The tallest of them reach a high of 20 meters.
Size comparison between human and a tree fern. Thanks the wet climate New Zealand has 20 species of tree fern, so called because the plant's rhizomes form a tall woody trunk topped by a crown of fronds. The tallest of them reach a high of 20 meters.
The nocturnal Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), introduced from Australia, has had a devastating effect on New Zealand's forests, selectively browsing on canopy leaves and all manner of epiphytic and ground-dwelling plants. One native mistletoe has been exterminated. The controlling of its population size is very difficult.
The nocturnal Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), introduced from Australia, has had a devastating effect on New Zealand's forests, selectively browsing on canopy leaves and all manner of epiphytic and ground-dwelling plants. One native mistletoe has been exterminated. The controlling of its population size is very difficult.
Three buildings form New Zealand's parliamentary complex in Wellington. By far the most distinctive and well known is the modernist building known as the Beehive - because that is just what it looks like. Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand and takes part in friendly rivalry with larger Auckland. It is situated on the southwestern tip of the country's North Island at the Cook Strait. This strait between the North and South Islands is one of the most dangerous and unpredictable waters in the world.
Three buildings form New Zealand's parliamentary complex in Wellington. By far the most distinctive and well known is the modernist building known as the Beehive - because that is just what it looks like. Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand and takes part in friendly rivalry with larger Auckland. It is situated on the southwestern tip of the country's North Island at the Cook Strait. This strait between the North and South Islands is one of the most dangerous and unpredictable waters in the world.
Tongariro National Park: even the dead volcanic landscape could be surprising colorful. Tongariro National Park was the fourth national park established in the world. It stretches around the massif of the three volcanoes, from which the Mt. Ruapehu with 2797 m is the biggest one.
Tongariro National Park: even the dead volcanic landscape could be surprising colorful. Tongariro National Park was the fourth national park established in the world. It stretches around the massif of the three volcanoes, from which the Mt. Ruapehu with 2797 m is the biggest one.
Trekkers on the Tongariro crossing, often called
Trekkers on the Tongariro crossing, often called "the finest one-day walk in New Zealand". The color of the lakes appears quite appealing, but the water of all of them is not drinkable, and some lakes have even acid water.
The Maori village people welcome the tourists according the old tradition as they would be guests from the neighbor village. It is the begin of an impressive presentation the Maori culture in Rotorua. This city is the most popular tourist area in the North Island. It has the most energetic thermal activity in the country and a large and very active Maori population.
The Maori village people welcome the tourists according the old tradition as they would be guests from the neighbor village. It is the begin of an impressive presentation the Maori culture in Rotorua. This city is the most popular tourist area in the North Island. It has the most energetic thermal activity in the country and a large and very active Maori population.
During the presentation of Maori culture the most important activities of the village citizens were shown, like here by carving. The second part of the presentation was the concert, where traditional songs and dances were performed. At the end we were invited to a feast called hangi. A hangi is a Maori earth oven - a large pit is dug and a fire is lit to heat stones placed in the pit. Food in baskets, covered with wet cloths, is then put in the pit, covered with soil and steamed to perfection.
During the presentation of Maori culture the most important activities of the village citizens were shown, like here by carving. The second part of the presentation was the concert, where traditional songs and dances were performed. At the end we were invited to a feast called hangi. A hangi is a Maori earth oven - a large pit is dug and a fire is lit to heat stones placed in the pit. Food in baskets, covered with wet cloths, is then put in the pit, covered with soil and steamed to perfection.
The Lake Waikaremoana in Urewera National Park is home for many species of water fowl, like the from Australia introduced black swans (Cygnus atratus) at the photo. There is a three day trail in the park around almost the whole Lake Waikaremoana, which leads the most of time very close to the shores of the lake.
The Lake Waikaremoana in Urewera National Park is home for many species of water fowl, like the from Australia introduced black swans (Cygnus atratus) at the photo. There is a three day trail in the park around almost the whole Lake Waikaremoana, which leads the most of time very close to the shores of the lake.
The Lake Waikaremoana Track in Urewera National Park has spectacular views of the lake. The Urewera National Park is the largest forested wilderness remaining in the North Island. There are other bigger forested areas in New Zealand used for timber production and consisting of fast growing foreign tree species like pines or eucalypts. The people in New Zealand call them
The Lake Waikaremoana Track in Urewera National Park has spectacular views of the lake. The Urewera National Park is the largest forested wilderness remaining in the North Island. There are other bigger forested areas in New Zealand used for timber production and consisting of fast growing foreign tree species like pines or eucalypts. The people in New Zealand call them "forests without birds".
Napier is a fascinating city, architecturally rich, blessed with a Mediterranean-type climate and fine coastal position. In 1931 Napier was dramatically changed when a disastrous earthquake, measuring 7,9 on the Richter scale, virtually destroyed the city. The rebuilding program that followed has left us with one of the world's best examples of an Art Deco city.
Napier is a fascinating city, architecturally rich, blessed with a Mediterranean-type climate and fine coastal position. In 1931 Napier was dramatically changed when a disastrous earthquake, measuring 7,9 on the Richter scale, virtually destroyed the city. The rebuilding program that followed has left us with one of the world's best examples of an Art Deco city.
Old and new buildings in Auckland. This city is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with over 1.4 million residents, 31 percent of the country's population.
Old and new buildings in Auckland. This city is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with over 1.4 million residents, 31 percent of the country's population.
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