Our trip up to Waitangi began...

...early Sunday morning with a long day of travelling ahead of us. After a plane ride, an over 3-hour long drive and a trip on the ferry, we were all ready to arrive at our accommodation in Orongo Bay. 

The next day we were up bright and early, ready to board a different ferry, this one taking us to the very spot where it all went down, Waitangi. We enjoyed a morning of exploring the museum and whare at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and then returned to Russell, or Kororareka for a tour through French missionary Pompallier’s supply house and a look into the oldest surviving church in New Zealand, Christ Church. We could even see bullet holes in the exterior, remaining from a land war between Māori and Pakeha that occurred in 1845. 

Tuesday saw us at Kerikeri, where we went to the oldest house in New Zealand, also a missionary station, Kororipo Pā and the Stone Store. 

On Wednesday we had one last stop to make before starting the trek back to Auckland airport, Ruapekapeka Pā. This Pā was built for battle, and the deep trenches dug into the ground were just as impressive as they were over 150 years ago when they were first made. 

It was an amazing trip, and we all learned a lot about the relationship between Pakeha and Māori. It was awesome to see so much of God’s creation in its full glory, in every location we went too. I felt struck by just how important it is to honour Te Titiri and all of the battles that have been fought to get to where we are today.

Mya Ewing