First of all I am from New Zealand and I currently live in Blenheim, Marlborough. The following articles talk about both locations.
A Brief Glimpse Into New Zealand History
Māori were the first to arrive in New Zealand, journeying in canoes from Hawaiki about 1,000 years ago. A Dutchman, Abel Tasman, was the first European to sight the country but it was the British who made New Zealand part of their empire.
In 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, an agreement between the British Crown and Maori. It established British law in New Zealand and is considered New Zealand’s founding document and an important part of the country's history. The building where the treaty was signed has been preserved and, today, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds are a popular attraction.
You'll find amazing Māori historic sites and taonga (treasures) - as well as beautiful colonial-era buildings - dotted throughout the country. A walk around any New Zealand city today shows what a culturally diverse and fascinating country we have become.
Read the full article here...New Zealand is a beautfiul country and as a Maori descendant, I am proud to be a kiwi! This next article takes a closer look at my current living location, Marlborough.
About Marlborough
Captain Cook’s favourite anchorage at Ship Cove in the Marlborough Sounds was an important site for the meeting of two cultures, and the sounds were later to become home to some of the first European settlers, who set out in small boats to chase enormous whales.
Meanwhile on land, hardy farmers, foresters and gold miners sought to make a living from the natural resources of the hills and valleys.
Explore these and other stories of our heritage at the Marlborough Museum, Havelock Museum, and at the National Whale Centre in Picton, or visit sites like Ship Cove and the Perano Whaling Station in the Marlborough Sounds.
Farming landscapes like Cape Campbell and Molesworth Station in the Awatere Valley are home to valuable remnants of their earliest settlers, while the sacred Mount Tapuae-o-Uenuku, rich in Maori legend, stands sentry on the landscape.
The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre is another icon of Marlborough heritage, with its world class display of World War One aircraft.
It’s a province full of inspiring stories, says Steve Austin, the chief executive of Marlborough Museum. “Heritage is a thread that runs through every aspect of our landscape and community.”
Read the full article here..Marlborough is a gorgeous place to live. We have bush walks, skiing & snowboarding, ocean, rivers all close by. What Blenheim lacks in shopping and nightlife, it makes up for it with beautiful scenery, quality wine and kind people.
For anyone who hasn't visited Marlborough before, I invite you to come and sample this amazing place. We have plenty of accommodation, fine dining, wine tours and more!
