Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand, and their story is both long and intriguing. On the basis of oral records, archaelogical finds and genetic analyses, the arrival of Maori in New Zealand is placed to be in the thirteenth century AD.
The origin of Maori has been reliably traced to the islands of Eastern Polynesia, and their journey to New Zealand occurred in a number of epic waka (canoe) voyages over a significant period of time. These journeys established Maori as daring and resourceful adventurers, and as one of the accomplished navigating peoples of all time.
Contemporary Maori culture has been shaped by the traditions of its rich cultural heritage. Defining aspects of Maori culture include art, legend, tattoo (moko), performances (notablykapa haka), customs, hospitality and community. Since the early 1980s Maori culture has undergone a renaissance. The regeneration of interest in Maori culture has extended to language, and Maori language programs (such as kohanga reo) are now flourishing.
The koru, which is pervasively used in Māori tribal art and tatoos as a symbol of creation, is based on the shape of an unfurling fern frond. Its circular shape conveys the idea of perpetual movement, and its inward coil suggests a return to the point of origin. The koru therefore symbolizes the way in which life both changes and stays the same.
These giant ferns grow 20 feet tall and are found throughout the lush green forests of New Zealand.
Learning about such plants from our guide, Noel Kennedy http://www.wineartandwildernesstours.co.nz was just one of the many highlights of our hike through Abel Tasman Park.
The Abel Tasman National Park is located at the north end of the South Island, about an hour drive from Bronte Lodge where we were staying. The park was founded in 1942 and is the smallest of New Zealand's national parks. The park consists of forested, hilly country to the north of the valleys of the Takaka and Riwaka Rivers, and is bounded to the north by the waters of Golden Bay and Tasman Bay. It is named after Abel Tasman, who in 1642 became the first European explorer to sight New Zealand.
The Abel Tasman Coast Track is a popular hiking, (or as the NZ’ers say “tramping") track which follows the coastline. Kayaking, camping and sightseeing are other activities carried out in the park. The nearest large town is Motueka 12 miles to the south.
The beaches are beautiful with sand as nice as the beach in Fort Lauderdale.
Our guide, Noel, picked us up after breakfast and drove us to Kaiteriteri where we arranged for a sea shuttle to take us to the place where we would start our walk.
www.abeltasmanseashuttless.co.nz
The shuttle took us along the coastline where we saw beautiful cliffs and rock formations then dropped us off at a beach where we started our "tramp".
The National Parks are the pride of New Zealand and throughout the country the trails are well maintained and well marked.
Note: My orthopedic surgeon who is an avid hiker (Nepal, Machu Picchu) said walking sticks are the way to hike, "They save your knees and give you some upper body workout." Jerry and I found they were helpful.
About mid-day we reached a bay that was almost dry because it was low tide. We decided to cross it rather than follow the trail around in hillside. During the sloppy walk across Noel told stories of others who had started across and gotten caught in rapidly rising tides.
We took some time to stop for lunch on some rocks in the middle of the bay. We enjoyed our sandwiches and fruit while we watched the tide rush in.
After a bit, we decided we might need to push on. We ended up having to do a bit of wading.
After five hours of tramping on eight miles of trails, we were plum tuckered out!
Did you get maori tatoos? it would have been awesome if you did! :)
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