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On our first day in New Zealand, we took a ferry ride to Waiheke Island. Waiheke Island is an island in the Hauraki Gulf of NZ. It is filled with untapped natural beauties like forests and sparkling white sand beaches. On the ferry ride to the island, we saw ancient volcanic islands and jagged cliffs – it felt almost alien, because nothing is volcanic like that in the east coast of the US.

Once we arrived at the port, we took a walk through a forest trail on our way to the island village. In the forest, we could see giant palm trees and orange flowers. One thing I found interesting was the amount of rat traps in the forest. But the most amazing thing we saw was the tui bird. Its bird calls were so strange; warbly, throaty and gruff. When they catch the light just right, they look green and blue. It is incredible. One other incredible thing about the island was that there is almost zero litter anywhere. Once we made it to the village, we ate lunch at a great restaurant called Wai Kitchen. From the balcony, we could see a giant volcano coming up out of the sparkling blue water. After we ate, we made our way down to one of the beautiful white sand beaches, where we swam in the relaxing, cool water. After we were done swimming, we saw a stingray in the water! After following it along the shore for a while, we climbed over some rocks and found a little secret cove where we sat on the sand and looked out at the water. Sam and I did some fun layout practices with the frisbee in the water as well. Once we were done at the beach, we hiked up a volcanic mountain to a scenic vineyard. The vineyard had beautiful views, and huge mosaics with beautiful poetry on them.

After seeing the vineyard we made our way back to the ferry and headed home. One thing I found interesting about the island: The houses are very modest. Not poorly maintained, just smaller. I think there is a different philosophy on life there – people are more about living their lives and enjoying themselves and less about trying to move up in social standing or class. In the US, this is more valued. It was a great first day in New Zealand.

On our way from the northern island to Waiheke Island we rode a ferry. It was very big. We also saw about twenty other islands. About five were even volcanic! 

The word Waiheke means “cascading waters” or “trickling waters”.

Also Waiheke Island has a large number of vineyards because its soil is very good for growing grapes making it an ideal place to sell wine to other parts of New Zealand. When I went to one we saw lots of mosaics (broken bits of pottery )then we saw lots of shapes in the clouds.

Waiheke Island is rich in birdlife and islanders want to keep it that way by taking out predators that aren’t supposed to be there like stoats. You might see stoats traps witch look like little black boxes

The trails and paths are protected by washing your feet on brushes built into the ground.

Waiheke Island is an Island off the coast of NZ (north main island, Auckland), Waiheke in english means cascading or ebbing water. Maori people have lived there for hundreds of years, I think I saw a Pou (similar totem poles) on the way there (we took a ferry) we got to really see New Zealand outside of auckland for the first time. There were many smaller islands; they almost looked volcanic because of abrupt pointy hills.

On the island most people worked in restaurants or had some sort of job related to the tourists, as it is a big tourist attraction, some people also worked on vineyards, farms, ect. Out on the island they had to use rainwater for bathing, washing hands, and more because there are no usable water sources on or under the island. There are many vineyards on the island due to its climate, its long summers and mild winters make it the “Mediterranean” of New Zealand.

There are many amazing animals on the island, and plants, I saw birds like theTūī, and aPīwakawaka – Fantail

Pīwakawaka – Fantail. I even saw a stingray. We followed the stingray and it led us behind rocks to a secret beach with lots of cool shells. It was very cool! My mom built a sculpture of birds out of shells.At the entrance to the forest there was a sign to wipe your shoes. After researching I figured out this helps prevent a dangerous type of water mold from spreading! There were brushes and it was a smart way to keep the island safe!

Waiheke Island was a special place with amazing animals and views. If you’re ever in Auckland check it out!

Guess whose visa application (initially) got rejected…

By Sam Randall

We recently went to the Maritime museum in New ZealandAt the maritime museum in Auckland New Zealand, I learned a lot! The Maori people used many techniques to find their way across the Pacific Ocean. They knew things like how to wayfind. Or using knowledge like islands to block waves, and ocean swells and create calmer water. The Maori people first arrived on the north island of New Zealand  in a boat: a Polynesian Voyaging Waka. That is the boat above! Although holding many people at a time, the Polynesian Voyaging Wakas were  narrow and unstable. After arriving in New Zealand, they found the New forests were vast and had thick trees. Therefore the Maori could build wider, more stable New Zealand Voyaging Wakas! Their knowledge of wayfinding and where to find calm water helped them travel across the Pacific. Therefore they became the first settlers of New Zealand!

I researched an explorer to write about. I chose Ernest Shackleton

as my explorer to research; there was an exhibit on him at the Auckland Maritime museum. Shackleton and his crew’s exploration of Antarctica was an inspiration to many others. When the crew’s safety was threatened, instead of going for glory as the first to cross Antarctica, he chose that his crew was more important. When trying to cross Antarctica on foot bad things happened. They faced huge challenges such as their boat “The Endurance” getting stuck in the ice and sinking

. Soon after they had to eat their dogs. He was persistent in keeping the crew encouraged. After months of limited food, and harsh weather, from being stuck on the ice, Shackleton made a daring voyage back on a lifeboat for help. Once getting a better boat, he made 4 attempts to find his crew. He finally rescued all members of his crew. They all survived, minus some toes. His bravery and persistence contributed to all explorers as inspiration!