The Northland: The geography of isolation

In thinking about how to talk about New Zealand, I find myself coming back to the geography. 

geography. The fact that these islands are in the middle of the South Pacific has meant they are naturally unique. There are plants and birds that exist only here. People didn’t find this place until less than 1000 years ago. First it was the ocean going Polynesians who traveled in canoes over thousands of miles of vast, empty ocean. Followed by the Europeans only a few hundred years ago. If you are interested in learning more, visit this link for short stories and pictures.

We left Auckland and traveled north to explore the Northland and Bay of Islands from the small town of Kerikeri. It’s subtropical here so the mix of plants and fertile volcanic soil creates a beautiful green and lush environment. It’s very hilly with high open grazing areas with cows and sheep. The ocean shows up in almost every backdrop here where the island is narrow and surrounded by what they call the Twin Coasts. Our first day here was a wonderful farmers market reminded me so much of ours at home on Vashon; Small local farms selling everything from homemade yogurt, fresh cheeses and produce to blueberry pancakes and guacamole. We found Russell and Paihia to be rather touristy towns but it is easy to get way from that and onto a fairly remote beach or forest trail.

Ancient kauri tree

In the north, it's easy to see how the large protected bays with scattered islands and rivers flowing in makes it easy to see why people (Polynesians and European) decided to settle here. And it makes for incredibly

beautiful scenery.

There are some stands left of the once prolific Kauri trees with 6+ foot wide trucks and 60+ foot high canopies. These amazing trees were used for Maori canoes. All over these magnificent trees are tropical bromeliads, orchids and epiphytes. It is hard not to stand in awe at these massive living things. 

Our time here in the Northland was enhanced by our connection to Wendy and Lily, who we met in Auckland and who grew up here in Kerikeri. Her parents John and Myrline Aish invited us over to their farm and took us kayaking in Whangaroa Harbor and sight seeing around the peninsula there. Myrline grew up in this area and told us some great stories of the past and Lily, the six year old kept us in the present. Spectacular day!

Cavelli islands out where the Rainbow Warrior was sunk in the 70's... remember that? 

We leave the Northland to navigate back through Auckland to the Coromandal Peninsula where we'll check in with our nieghbors from Vashon, Becky and Richard Jenke. Now it's starting to make sense why they travel here every year for the winter. It might be the longest snowbird migration that I know of but I can't think of many places where the summer is so spectacular.

The Backseat Drivers: Lily D, Claire and Myrlene

Whangaroa Bay