Arriving on the North Island of New Zealand, a cold morning breeze welcomed us as the sun shone brightly in the blue sky above.
Lush, gentle green pastures covered the low-lying hills while sheep wandered and grazed, replacing the watery horizon of the previous six days.
Some Quick Facts about New Zealand
*New Zealand has two main landmasses— the North Island and the South Island, and over 700 smaller islands.
*It is the sixth-largest country by area and has a varied topography and sharp mountain peaks, including the Southern Alps, which owe much to tectonic uplift and volcanic eruptions.
*The capital city is Wellington, and the most populous city is Auckland.
*Settled first by Polynesians in the 13th and 14th centuries, the distinctive Māori culture developed over centuries of isolation.
*The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to sight and record New Zealand in 1642.
*In 1840, representatives of the United Kingdom and Māori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi, which, in its English version, declared British sovereignty over the islands. In 1841, New Zealand became a colony within the British Empire.
*New Zealand became a dominion in 1907 and achieved complete independence in 1947, retaining the British monarch as head of state.
*Today, the population of 5.25 million is mostly of European descent, and the Māori are the most significant minority, followed by Asians and Pacific Islanders.
*The official languages are English and Māori, with English being dominant.
*New Zealand was the first developed country to introduce the minimum wage and the first to give women the right to vote. It ranks highly in international measures of quality of life and human rights.
*The service sector dominates the national economy, followed by the industrial sector and agriculture. International tourism is also a significant source of revenue.
Bay of Islands
We made landfall in Opua, in the Bay of Islands—which is precisely that—a bay of beautiful green islands on the northeast coast of the North Island. Vineyards and fields with cows and sheep everywhere. Manicured walking trails line most islands, allowing visitors to see it all up close.
The Charming Town of Russell
Russell was the first European settlement and seaport in New Zealand. Many of the historic buildings and homes have been restored.
More Fish!
Auckland
New Zealand’s largest city is Auckland, located on the Waitemata Harbour. We spent several days there, enjoying the Westhaven Marina and having some electrical work done on our boat. We needed a Mastervolt technician to regulate our Whisper generator and wire our Starlink satellite receiver to the 24v DC battery system.
The streets are free of trash, the homes are tidy, the social services are well-organized, and the stores are stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables, all things we had missed throughout most Pacific islands (except for Tahiti). The people are welcoming and friendly. Everyone we meet has a smile and is ready to help or advise. Who wouldn’t feel at home?
The Auckland Art Gallery: Māori portraits and Guo Pei fashion
Nineteenth century Māori portraits by Gottfried Lindauer.
Guo Pei is a modern Chinese fashion designer. We also saw her exhibition at the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco last year.
Albert Park, located next to the Art Gallery, in the heart of downtown Auckland.
A Sailors’ Haven for generations
For a long time, New Zealand has been the perfect cruising ground for boaters and has excellent boating traditions. With the availability of boat supplies, top-quality repair facilities, marinas, anchorages, and—not to forget lots and lots of wind—this country is a sailors’ haven. The sailor only needs to be aware of the possibility of rapidly changing weather, which can often be quite rough.
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the America’s Cup
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is the club that supports New Zealand’s America’s Cup campaigns. It held the trophy from 1995 until 2003, becoming in 2000 the first non-American holder to successfully defend the America’s Cup. After Team New Zealand’s victory in 2017 and again in 2021, it holds the America’s Cup, proudly displayed in a custom cabinet on the second floor. Invisible laser beams surround this cabinet. A loud alarm will be activated by anybody who goes close to the trophy.
The club was established in 1871 in Auckland as the “Auckland Yacht Club.” Its name was changed to “Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron” when it was granted royal patronage in 1902.
It is located in Westhaven Marina, near the Auckland Harbour Bridge, facing the Waitemata Harbour and Hauraki Gulf. We have enjoyed several dinners at this club.
‘Tis the Season!
The Adventures of SV JAN 