Raetihi

The farmers market in Gisborne was not to be missed, so much yummy food

We explored a little more around the town, and then hit the road to look at some properties we have been eyeing. Along the way making friends…

Each place of interest to us we are checking out the property market, schooling, jobs etc so we can compare when making our decision.

The next day we went hiking again, and took in the beautiful east coast, it really is spectacular.

There was swimming to be had!

Rich unfortunately hit a rock on his way out, with this the result..

It was really painful and I think he must have broken the tiny tip of his metatarsal, but toes can’t be plastered so pain relief, secure footwear and he’ll be right 🙂

We hit the laundromat the next day, much to Luca’s delight, we let him sort out the machines…

and then headed off to the famous rock slide to do some sliding!

Luca described it as terrifying! 🙂

We also went and checked out one of the local schools. Have to say we were really impressed by its progressive approach to best practice. Very multicultural as well, a lot of the kids were multilingual coming from all over the world. They are embracing the holistic approach to education and succeeding, the school had its own garden, swimming pool, bee hive, recycling program, surf lessons part of the curriculum etc. The kids run around barefoot, climbing trees and is performing very well academically, (all public schools in NZ are monitored for performance), the classrooms are open, integrated and welcoming. The 30% Maori role means a high commitment to Maoridom, and Te Reo is part of the every day. Most of all, the kids and staff all looked really happy, and staff turnover low!!!

We felt this school has found the balance we are looking for, and it will be interesting to see if we find this in other communities we seek out.

We have been offered Brian the Bach’s “brother” as a long term rental.

They are spending the next few weeks, adding decks, coverings and insulation etc, and we can have in on the 15th of December if we want it. We have some big decisions to make!!!!

Just as we felt we were settling into the coastal lifestyle it was time to head off. This time to the central north island, to the base of 3 volcanic mountains and national park. We would be staying in Raetihi.

We took the coastal route, then cut across, stopping for lunch just outside Napier. A very cool cafe where the Kiwi owner welcomed us and took Luca out to play on the flying fox, and introduce him to his assortment of animals ,(pigs, ducks, chooks). His daughter Luca’s age, came home from school and they ran off playing, climbing trees, hanging with their dogs etc. After a couple of hours we had to reluctantly drag him away and hit the road again.

We arrived in Raetihi around 6pm and immediately fell in love with our next home..

Definitely our sort of place, set in deep rural NZ!

Rich did not believe there were mountains ,(Ngaruhoe, Tongiriro and Ruapehu) at all, and kept saying, “what is this skiing the signs all keep talking about, where do they ski”??!!!!!!! Then in the evening the cloud lifted….

Yesterday we hit the hiking trail. Tongariro National park ,(79 000 hectares), was gifted in the late 1800’s by a local Maori chief and his tribe the Ngati Tuwharetoato as a park. He saw what the settlers were doing to the land and had the incredible foresight to understand, that to protect this amazing place, gifting it a National Park, (as it turns out the 4th to be established in the world, and the first to be gifted by an indigenous culture), was the way to do it. What an incredible thing to do!!!!! It is of course now a New Zealand treasure. There are many stories like this about the indigenous people of NZ that I feel do not get enough attention. NZ has made some headway over the last few years to recognize history here in a more balanced way. Like all colonial countries its indigenous people were not treated well and are still suffering the consequences of this today with disproportionate amounts living below the poverty line, in prisons, higher health issues etc. The government is however making a concerted effort to acknowledge and help to rectify this, but is going to take time. I am heartened the education system is playing a big part in this.

It felt so good to be out doing what we love. You can do this for days on end. We met others on the trail that were doing just that. There are basic huts set up along the way to use if you wish, or you can tent it. Some are associated with schools, who, as part of the curriculum bring the kids up to learn survival skills, conservation etc. I remember doing this as a kid ,(in a different part of NZ), it was, and apparently still is, I am pleased to see, a part of Kiwi education. We met a group of kids from Whanganui up there having a blast! Whanganui is on our list!!!!!

With snow on the mountain,and it is still spring here in NZ, it is definitely cooler here than in Gisborne.

Luca and Rich have embraced the Kiwi essential, the “hottie”.

Not so much vegemite but I am working on it! 🙂

My thoughts so far on NZ is that yes some things have changed, but a lot for the better, not for worse. There are issues in places like Auckland, (as with every big city), but even there they have done good things. Yes the traffic is an issue and housing in a crisis this is happening in many desirable fast growing western type cities. The rural areas are much as I remember, with kids running about unsupervised having a good time with their mates, friendly people and a relaxed attitude to things. Prices of things has certainly gone up ,(food, real estate, gas), as it has in the rest of the world as well. I remain on the fence about what we should do, as we are only just over 2 weeks in and have a lot more exploring to do but impression so far is very favorable and most important to me is both Rich and Luca love it!