New Zealand
@aotearoa.bsky.social
Kia ora! This account is dedicated to sharing info about “God’s own country”, the Land of the Long White Cloud – Aotearoa, 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗭𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 🇳🇿 #Aotearoa #NewZealand
Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock
Approx. 50 metres off the coast between Kaiteriteri and Mārahau, Māori legend says the rock was split by two gods arguing over ownership.
Geologists say it was a naturally occurring joint in the granite which water, waves and ice weakened over time.
📸 Pablo Heimplatz
Approx. 50 metres off the coast between Kaiteriteri and Mārahau, Māori legend says the rock was split by two gods arguing over ownership.
Geologists say it was a naturally occurring joint in the granite which water, waves and ice weakened over time.
📸 Pablo Heimplatz
August 17, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock
Approx. 50 metres off the coast between Kaiteriteri and Mārahau, Māori legend says the rock was split by two gods arguing over ownership.
Geologists say it was a naturally occurring joint in the granite which water, waves and ice weakened over time.
📸 Pablo Heimplatz
Approx. 50 metres off the coast between Kaiteriteri and Mārahau, Māori legend says the rock was split by two gods arguing over ownership.
Geologists say it was a naturally occurring joint in the granite which water, waves and ice weakened over time.
📸 Pablo Heimplatz
Perhaps not the most popular of takes but I loved seeing the King open the Parliament of Canada.
Prime Minister Carney and Canada are showing that patriotism, tradition, and constitutional heritage can be centrist principles and don’t have to be the preserve of the right.
New Zealand next, please!
Prime Minister Carney and Canada are showing that patriotism, tradition, and constitutional heritage can be centrist principles and don’t have to be the preserve of the right.
New Zealand next, please!
May 27, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Perhaps not the most popular of takes but I loved seeing the King open the Parliament of Canada.
Prime Minister Carney and Canada are showing that patriotism, tradition, and constitutional heritage can be centrist principles and don’t have to be the preserve of the right.
New Zealand next, please!
Prime Minister Carney and Canada are showing that patriotism, tradition, and constitutional heritage can be centrist principles and don’t have to be the preserve of the right.
New Zealand next, please!
Lake Rotoiti in the Tasman District in the northwest of South Island.
Surrounded by beech forests, the lake has a maximum depth of 82 metres and is popular for tramping and trout fishing.
It is, unsurprisingly, a popular photo destination.
📸 Tim Foster
Surrounded by beech forests, the lake has a maximum depth of 82 metres and is popular for tramping and trout fishing.
It is, unsurprisingly, a popular photo destination.
📸 Tim Foster
May 13, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Lake Rotoiti in the Tasman District in the northwest of South Island.
Surrounded by beech forests, the lake has a maximum depth of 82 metres and is popular for tramping and trout fishing.
It is, unsurprisingly, a popular photo destination.
📸 Tim Foster
Surrounded by beech forests, the lake has a maximum depth of 82 metres and is popular for tramping and trout fishing.
It is, unsurprisingly, a popular photo destination.
📸 Tim Foster
Two lambs in a field in Rosewill.
Sheep farming is a major industry and in its early days NZ built itself on the wool and lamb trades.
With approximately 24 million, NZ has the highest density of sheep for any country in the world and were the world’s leading exporter of lamb.
📸 Tim Marshall
Sheep farming is a major industry and in its early days NZ built itself on the wool and lamb trades.
With approximately 24 million, NZ has the highest density of sheep for any country in the world and were the world’s leading exporter of lamb.
📸 Tim Marshall
April 28, 2025 at 5:57 AM
Two lambs in a field in Rosewill.
Sheep farming is a major industry and in its early days NZ built itself on the wool and lamb trades.
With approximately 24 million, NZ has the highest density of sheep for any country in the world and were the world’s leading exporter of lamb.
📸 Tim Marshall
Sheep farming is a major industry and in its early days NZ built itself on the wool and lamb trades.
With approximately 24 million, NZ has the highest density of sheep for any country in the world and were the world’s leading exporter of lamb.
📸 Tim Marshall
Update to my gaming account on X being suspended.
I appealed asking which rule(s) I broke as it’s just a gaming account save that one post re: Trump and Greenland.
Reply is below.
So p*rn, graphic violence, and overt racism are fine. Question Trump? Ban.
It’s so laughably pathetic. Oh well 🤷♂️
I appealed asking which rule(s) I broke as it’s just a gaming account save that one post re: Trump and Greenland.
Reply is below.
So p*rn, graphic violence, and overt racism are fine. Question Trump? Ban.
It’s so laughably pathetic. Oh well 🤷♂️
April 17, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Update to my gaming account on X being suspended.
I appealed asking which rule(s) I broke as it’s just a gaming account save that one post re: Trump and Greenland.
Reply is below.
So p*rn, graphic violence, and overt racism are fine. Question Trump? Ban.
It’s so laughably pathetic. Oh well 🤷♂️
I appealed asking which rule(s) I broke as it’s just a gaming account save that one post re: Trump and Greenland.
Reply is below.
So p*rn, graphic violence, and overt racism are fine. Question Trump? Ban.
It’s so laughably pathetic. Oh well 🤷♂️
Rainbow Falls (Māori: Waianiwaniwa; lit. “Waters of the Rainbow), a single-drop waterfall on the Kerikeri River.
The 27 metre waterfall is popular with tourists and located along a 3.5 km track.
The river passes through kiwi habitat, regenerating native trees such as kauri and tōtara.
📸 Marc St
The 27 metre waterfall is popular with tourists and located along a 3.5 km track.
The river passes through kiwi habitat, regenerating native trees such as kauri and tōtara.
📸 Marc St
April 11, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Rainbow Falls (Māori: Waianiwaniwa; lit. “Waters of the Rainbow), a single-drop waterfall on the Kerikeri River.
The 27 metre waterfall is popular with tourists and located along a 3.5 km track.
The river passes through kiwi habitat, regenerating native trees such as kauri and tōtara.
📸 Marc St
The 27 metre waterfall is popular with tourists and located along a 3.5 km track.
The river passes through kiwi habitat, regenerating native trees such as kauri and tōtara.
📸 Marc St
The Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo.
The iconic Anglican church was built in 1935 to commemorate early settlers.
One of the most photographed places in NZ, in recent years its grounds have been damaged & services interrupted by est. 600,000 annual tourists.
📸 Peter Hammer
The iconic Anglican church was built in 1935 to commemorate early settlers.
One of the most photographed places in NZ, in recent years its grounds have been damaged & services interrupted by est. 600,000 annual tourists.
📸 Peter Hammer
April 5, 2025 at 5:57 AM
The Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo.
The iconic Anglican church was built in 1935 to commemorate early settlers.
One of the most photographed places in NZ, in recent years its grounds have been damaged & services interrupted by est. 600,000 annual tourists.
📸 Peter Hammer
The iconic Anglican church was built in 1935 to commemorate early settlers.
One of the most photographed places in NZ, in recent years its grounds have been damaged & services interrupted by est. 600,000 annual tourists.
📸 Peter Hammer
25 March was the day the One Ring was destroyed in Lord of the Rings canon.
The site of Hobbiton, a farm west of Hinuera, was chosen by Peter Jackson because it “looked like a slice of ancient England”.
Originally temporary, it was eventually kept and, of course, can be visited.
📸 Nate Johnston
The site of Hobbiton, a farm west of Hinuera, was chosen by Peter Jackson because it “looked like a slice of ancient England”.
Originally temporary, it was eventually kept and, of course, can be visited.
📸 Nate Johnston
March 27, 2025 at 7:12 AM
25 March was the day the One Ring was destroyed in Lord of the Rings canon.
The site of Hobbiton, a farm west of Hinuera, was chosen by Peter Jackson because it “looked like a slice of ancient England”.
Originally temporary, it was eventually kept and, of course, can be visited.
📸 Nate Johnston
The site of Hobbiton, a farm west of Hinuera, was chosen by Peter Jackson because it “looked like a slice of ancient England”.
Originally temporary, it was eventually kept and, of course, can be visited.
📸 Nate Johnston
Golden fields and mountains of Lindis Pass (Māori: Ōmakō).
Crossed by State Highway 8, it is the highest point on the South Island's highway network.
It is surrounded by snow tussock (Māori: wī kura) which grows up to 2 metres high. Some specimens are estimated to be centuries old.
📸 Eugene Quek
Crossed by State Highway 8, it is the highest point on the South Island's highway network.
It is surrounded by snow tussock (Māori: wī kura) which grows up to 2 metres high. Some specimens are estimated to be centuries old.
📸 Eugene Quek
March 19, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Golden fields and mountains of Lindis Pass (Māori: Ōmakō).
Crossed by State Highway 8, it is the highest point on the South Island's highway network.
It is surrounded by snow tussock (Māori: wī kura) which grows up to 2 metres high. Some specimens are estimated to be centuries old.
📸 Eugene Quek
Crossed by State Highway 8, it is the highest point on the South Island's highway network.
It is surrounded by snow tussock (Māori: wī kura) which grows up to 2 metres high. Some specimens are estimated to be centuries old.
📸 Eugene Quek
It’s doing about this well…
March 8, 2025 at 7:02 AM
It’s doing about this well…
Hooker Valley Track with Aoraki / Mount Cook in the distance.
At only 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) long and gaining only about 100 m (330 ft) in height, the well formed track is the most popular walk for tourists in the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park in central-west South Island.
📸 We Are Travellers
At only 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) long and gaining only about 100 m (330 ft) in height, the well formed track is the most popular walk for tourists in the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park in central-west South Island.
📸 We Are Travellers
February 26, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Hooker Valley Track with Aoraki / Mount Cook in the distance.
At only 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) long and gaining only about 100 m (330 ft) in height, the well formed track is the most popular walk for tourists in the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park in central-west South Island.
📸 We Are Travellers
At only 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) long and gaining only about 100 m (330 ft) in height, the well formed track is the most popular walk for tourists in the Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park in central-west South Island.
📸 We Are Travellers
Taranaki Maunga, formerly Mount Taranaki/Egmont.
North Island’s second highest peak at 2,518m was made a “legal person” by Parliament in 2025.
It is the third geographic feature granted personhood in Aotearoa, officially recognising it as sacred to—and an ancestor of—local iwi.
📸 Sophie Turner
North Island’s second highest peak at 2,518m was made a “legal person” by Parliament in 2025.
It is the third geographic feature granted personhood in Aotearoa, officially recognising it as sacred to—and an ancestor of—local iwi.
📸 Sophie Turner
February 22, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Taranaki Maunga, formerly Mount Taranaki/Egmont.
North Island’s second highest peak at 2,518m was made a “legal person” by Parliament in 2025.
It is the third geographic feature granted personhood in Aotearoa, officially recognising it as sacred to—and an ancestor of—local iwi.
📸 Sophie Turner
North Island’s second highest peak at 2,518m was made a “legal person” by Parliament in 2025.
It is the third geographic feature granted personhood in Aotearoa, officially recognising it as sacred to—and an ancestor of—local iwi.
📸 Sophie Turner
The Shotover River (Māori: Kimiākau) in Otago, South Island.
The 75 km river is fast flowing, cutting a path through Skippers Canyon before joining the Kawarau River east of Queenstown.
Once a rich source of gold, today it’s a tourist spot for whitewater rapids and jet boating.
📸 Werner Sevenster
The 75 km river is fast flowing, cutting a path through Skippers Canyon before joining the Kawarau River east of Queenstown.
Once a rich source of gold, today it’s a tourist spot for whitewater rapids and jet boating.
📸 Werner Sevenster
February 14, 2025 at 8:37 AM
The Shotover River (Māori: Kimiākau) in Otago, South Island.
The 75 km river is fast flowing, cutting a path through Skippers Canyon before joining the Kawarau River east of Queenstown.
Once a rich source of gold, today it’s a tourist spot for whitewater rapids and jet boating.
📸 Werner Sevenster
The 75 km river is fast flowing, cutting a path through Skippers Canyon before joining the Kawarau River east of Queenstown.
Once a rich source of gold, today it’s a tourist spot for whitewater rapids and jet boating.
📸 Werner Sevenster
The sun rises over Wharariki Beach near Pūponga, the northernmost settlement of South Island / Te Waipounamu.
📸 Boon Panthalany
📸 Boon Panthalany
February 12, 2025 at 7:42 AM
The sun rises over Wharariki Beach near Pūponga, the northernmost settlement of South Island / Te Waipounamu.
📸 Boon Panthalany
📸 Boon Panthalany
Maungawhau / Mount Eden overlooking Auckland.
Mount Eden—whose Māori name means “whau tree mountain”—is the remnant of a long dormant volcano, one of—and the highest—of many on the Auckland isthmus.
It was also once the site of the main pā (fort) of Tāmaki Māori. Today is the rohe of Ngāti Whātua.
Mount Eden—whose Māori name means “whau tree mountain”—is the remnant of a long dormant volcano, one of—and the highest—of many on the Auckland isthmus.
It was also once the site of the main pā (fort) of Tāmaki Māori. Today is the rohe of Ngāti Whātua.
February 3, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Maungawhau / Mount Eden overlooking Auckland.
Mount Eden—whose Māori name means “whau tree mountain”—is the remnant of a long dormant volcano, one of—and the highest—of many on the Auckland isthmus.
It was also once the site of the main pā (fort) of Tāmaki Māori. Today is the rohe of Ngāti Whātua.
Mount Eden—whose Māori name means “whau tree mountain”—is the remnant of a long dormant volcano, one of—and the highest—of many on the Auckland isthmus.
It was also once the site of the main pā (fort) of Tāmaki Māori. Today is the rohe of Ngāti Whātua.
On this day in 1842, Auckland held its first Anniversary Day Regatta.
Auckland’s Anniversary Day commemorates Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson’s arrival in the Bay of Islands in 1840.
Today it is best known for a regatta on Waitematā Harbour that is possibly the largest such event in the world.
Auckland’s Anniversary Day commemorates Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson’s arrival in the Bay of Islands in 1840.
Today it is best known for a regatta on Waitematā Harbour that is possibly the largest such event in the world.
January 29, 2025 at 7:39 AM
On this day in 1842, Auckland held its first Anniversary Day Regatta.
Auckland’s Anniversary Day commemorates Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson’s arrival in the Bay of Islands in 1840.
Today it is best known for a regatta on Waitematā Harbour that is possibly the largest such event in the world.
Auckland’s Anniversary Day commemorates Lieutenant-Governor William Hobson’s arrival in the Bay of Islands in 1840.
Today it is best known for a regatta on Waitematā Harbour that is possibly the largest such event in the world.
Lupins at Lake Tekapo.
In hues of purple, blue and pink, lupins belong to the bean family and are not native to NZ.
Planted by some farmers to lock nitrogen into the soil of the merino sheep stations in the high country, they outcompete native species and clog riverbeds.
Problematic. But pretty.
In hues of purple, blue and pink, lupins belong to the bean family and are not native to NZ.
Planted by some farmers to lock nitrogen into the soil of the merino sheep stations in the high country, they outcompete native species and clog riverbeds.
Problematic. But pretty.
January 25, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Lupins at Lake Tekapo.
In hues of purple, blue and pink, lupins belong to the bean family and are not native to NZ.
Planted by some farmers to lock nitrogen into the soil of the merino sheep stations in the high country, they outcompete native species and clog riverbeds.
Problematic. But pretty.
In hues of purple, blue and pink, lupins belong to the bean family and are not native to NZ.
Planted by some farmers to lock nitrogen into the soil of the merino sheep stations in the high country, they outcompete native species and clog riverbeds.
Problematic. But pretty.
Lake Wānaka and its famous tree at sunset.
Wānaka is NZ’s 4th largest lake covering 192 km².
“That Wānaka Tree”—as it’s often named—is a willow tree that is around 80-years-old.
Sadly, the tree is increasingly under threat from over zealous tourists and vandals who sawed branches off in 2020.
Wānaka is NZ’s 4th largest lake covering 192 km².
“That Wānaka Tree”—as it’s often named—is a willow tree that is around 80-years-old.
Sadly, the tree is increasingly under threat from over zealous tourists and vandals who sawed branches off in 2020.
January 21, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Lake Wānaka and its famous tree at sunset.
Wānaka is NZ’s 4th largest lake covering 192 km².
“That Wānaka Tree”—as it’s often named—is a willow tree that is around 80-years-old.
Sadly, the tree is increasingly under threat from over zealous tourists and vandals who sawed branches off in 2020.
Wānaka is NZ’s 4th largest lake covering 192 km².
“That Wānaka Tree”—as it’s often named—is a willow tree that is around 80-years-old.
Sadly, the tree is increasingly under threat from over zealous tourists and vandals who sawed branches off in 2020.
19 January 1845 – Hōne Heke cuts down the British flagstaff… again
The first Māori to sign the Treaty of Waitangi, Ngāpuhi chief Hōne Heke Pōkai soon became disenchanted with colonisation.
He expressed his outrage by repeatedly attacking the flagstaff on the hill above Russell / Kororāreka.
The first Māori to sign the Treaty of Waitangi, Ngāpuhi chief Hōne Heke Pōkai soon became disenchanted with colonisation.
He expressed his outrage by repeatedly attacking the flagstaff on the hill above Russell / Kororāreka.
January 18, 2025 at 5:10 PM
19 January 1845 – Hōne Heke cuts down the British flagstaff… again
The first Māori to sign the Treaty of Waitangi, Ngāpuhi chief Hōne Heke Pōkai soon became disenchanted with colonisation.
He expressed his outrage by repeatedly attacking the flagstaff on the hill above Russell / Kororāreka.
The first Māori to sign the Treaty of Waitangi, Ngāpuhi chief Hōne Heke Pōkai soon became disenchanted with colonisation.
He expressed his outrage by repeatedly attacking the flagstaff on the hill above Russell / Kororāreka.
In the hongi, the ha (“breath of life”) is exchanged in a symbolic show of unity, intimacy, and trust.
Through the exchange of this greeting, manuhiri (“visitors”) blend with tangata whenua (“the people of the land”) and establish a connection.
But it’s not just physical – it’s spiritual.
Through the exchange of this greeting, manuhiri (“visitors”) blend with tangata whenua (“the people of the land”) and establish a connection.
But it’s not just physical – it’s spiritual.
January 8, 2025 at 9:06 PM
In the hongi, the ha (“breath of life”) is exchanged in a symbolic show of unity, intimacy, and trust.
Through the exchange of this greeting, manuhiri (“visitors”) blend with tangata whenua (“the people of the land”) and establish a connection.
But it’s not just physical – it’s spiritual.
Through the exchange of this greeting, manuhiri (“visitors”) blend with tangata whenua (“the people of the land”) and establish a connection.
But it’s not just physical – it’s spiritual.
𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗶 — The distinctive and traditional Māori greeting performed by two people pressing their noses together, usually including the touching of the foreheads.
What is it? What does it symbolise? Where does it come from?
Ready to find out?
Hoake! (“Let’s go!”)
What is it? What does it symbolise? Where does it come from?
Ready to find out?
Hoake! (“Let’s go!”)
January 8, 2025 at 9:06 PM
𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗶 — The distinctive and traditional Māori greeting performed by two people pressing their noses together, usually including the touching of the foreheads.
What is it? What does it symbolise? Where does it come from?
Ready to find out?
Hoake! (“Let’s go!”)
What is it? What does it symbolise? Where does it come from?
Ready to find out?
Hoake! (“Let’s go!”)
30 December 1835 – Charles Darwin leaves New Zealand after nine-day visit
Darwin’s visit to the Bay of Islands on HMS Beagle was brief and unspectacular from his point of view. The Beagle’s captain, Robert FitzRoy, would later serve as the second governor of New Zealand.
Darwin’s visit to the Bay of Islands on HMS Beagle was brief and unspectacular from his point of view. The Beagle’s captain, Robert FitzRoy, would later serve as the second governor of New Zealand.
December 30, 2024 at 5:40 AM
30 December 1835 – Charles Darwin leaves New Zealand after nine-day visit
Darwin’s visit to the Bay of Islands on HMS Beagle was brief and unspectacular from his point of view. The Beagle’s captain, Robert FitzRoy, would later serve as the second governor of New Zealand.
Darwin’s visit to the Bay of Islands on HMS Beagle was brief and unspectacular from his point of view. The Beagle’s captain, Robert FitzRoy, would later serve as the second governor of New Zealand.
On this day in 1878, universal male suffrage was introduced.
The Qualification of Electors Act extended the right to vote to all European men aged 21 or over, regardless of whether they owned or rented property.
This was 12 years after Māori men obtained universal male suffrage in 1867.
The Qualification of Electors Act extended the right to vote to all European men aged 21 or over, regardless of whether they owned or rented property.
This was 12 years after Māori men obtained universal male suffrage in 1867.
December 19, 2024 at 7:25 AM
On this day in 1878, universal male suffrage was introduced.
The Qualification of Electors Act extended the right to vote to all European men aged 21 or over, regardless of whether they owned or rented property.
This was 12 years after Māori men obtained universal male suffrage in 1867.
The Qualification of Electors Act extended the right to vote to all European men aged 21 or over, regardless of whether they owned or rented property.
This was 12 years after Māori men obtained universal male suffrage in 1867.
18 December 1642 — First known encounter between Māori and Europeans.
Abel Tasman’s Dutch East India Company expedition had the first known European contact with Māori.
It did not go well.
Abel Tasman’s Dutch East India Company expedition had the first known European contact with Māori.
It did not go well.
December 18, 2024 at 6:22 AM
18 December 1642 — First known encounter between Māori and Europeans.
Abel Tasman’s Dutch East India Company expedition had the first known European contact with Māori.
It did not go well.
Abel Tasman’s Dutch East India Company expedition had the first known European contact with Māori.
It did not go well.
On this day in 1977, the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act passed.
Parliament passed the Act following an inquiry by a Royal Commission.
In the 1970s there was heated debate around women’s access to contraceptives, abortion services, and women’s level of control over their own bodies.
Parliament passed the Act following an inquiry by a Royal Commission.
In the 1970s there was heated debate around women’s access to contraceptives, abortion services, and women’s level of control over their own bodies.
December 16, 2024 at 9:08 AM
On this day in 1977, the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act passed.
Parliament passed the Act following an inquiry by a Royal Commission.
In the 1970s there was heated debate around women’s access to contraceptives, abortion services, and women’s level of control over their own bodies.
Parliament passed the Act following an inquiry by a Royal Commission.
In the 1970s there was heated debate around women’s access to contraceptives, abortion services, and women’s level of control over their own bodies.