Day 8, The Ka Pai Koru, Tauranga, NZ

The Koru

In Maori, an unfolding fern is called a Koru, it has become somewhat of a national symbol made popular by the AirNZ logo. Coming up to the sunny Bay of Plenty has lead me to find lots of these out in the wild. Whenever I come across one something is stirred inside me. I feel proud of being a Kiwi and almost want to perform a haka or a waiata.

Pokarekare ana
Nga wai o waiapu
Whiti atu koe hine
Marino ana e

E hine e
Hoki maira
Kamate au
-i te aroha e

Even better than this is watching Hayley Westenra perform Pokarekare Ana....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6k3iXyDWEg

Day 7, Raining, Tauranga, NZ

The Tauranga Alternative To Walking In The Rain

So it was raining. Seems to be raining every other day round the top of the North Island. But never fear, playstation is here. And with a game like Call of Duty, with the ultimate extension of Nazi Zombies, there is never a need to go outside again.

In this game you are basically trapped inside a small room with some boarded up windows and there is a constant stream of Nazi Zombies which break in and try to attack you. You luckily have a large amount of weaponry available and so can blast them all to hell. We made it to level ten yesterday, was pretty stoked about that.

The funny thing is, is that there is a German flatmate living here. We try and not mention the name of the game when she is nearby...

Day 6, More Walking, Tauranga, NZ

A Lovely Shade Of Green

If it wasn't for the DOC pamphlet that outlines all the bush walks around Tauranga, then I'd have probably walked around the township way too many times by now. Fortunately the book has saved me and I've had some nice strolls through native bush. This is from Puketoki Reserve, a piece of bush set up to be conserved forever.... ahhhh conservation!

Day 4, The Town Of Murals, Katikati, NZ

Mural Example

There is a town in the Bay of Plenty named Katikati. Currently there are 44 murals in total in the town which has a population of 3579. That means that for every mural there are 81 people. This either means that a few people are doing all the work for the slack/not talented townsfolk or that murals take 81 people to do.

And if murals don't tickle your pickle, maybe the haiku walkway will. With numerous short verses inscribed upon small boulders along the peaceful riverside path.