In my series of A-Z of Locations, I will take you for a meander around areas of New Zealand that are unique gems, some yet to be polished though worth a visit for either historical reasons, culinary delights or for the sheer vistas.
For my first one, starting with A, we are heading to the west coast of the Far North to a small settlement called Ahipara, situated at the southern end of 90 Mile Beach. It is a place we stayed for a week or so to explore the Far North when we were property free, living in a converted bus.
Known for it’s incredible sunsets
Te Oneroa a Tōhē / 90 Mile Beach
History
South of Ahipara, approximately 50 km, lies this statue of a kuia I thought was worth mentioning.
“Take care of the Children. Take care of what they hear. Take care of what they see. Take care of what they feel. For how the Children grow will be the shape of Aotearoa” -Dame Whina Cooper (9 December 1895–26 March 1994)
This kuia (Māori elder)was highly respected and worked for many years for the recognition of the rights of her people. She was arguably one of the most admired people in Aotearoa. This memorial proudly stands on the grounds of Waipuna Marae, Panguru, her papa kāinga (home village).
It is based on a well-known photograph by Michael Tubberty, showing Dame Whina holding the hand of her three-year-old mokopuna (grandchild) Irenee Cooper as the pair left the settlement of Te Hāpua at the start of the 1100-kilometre 1975 Māori land march.
Ironically, the statue is placed with Dame Whina’s gaze directed firmly at New Zealand’s Parliament buildings in Wellington.
Jude from her travel blog Travel Words bet me to the post, so to speak, with her A-Z of Locations. She was faster, and I was not. To acknowledge her enjoyable ramble around the UK; I have included the above link to her blog.
Life at No. 22 
You’ve inspired me to do something similar around the Sunny Coast.
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Wonderful, Jo, and I Look forward to reading about the Sunshine Coast.
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Love it – and off to check out Travel Words now…
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Thanks Jo and I’m sure you will enjoy Jude’s A-Z around the UK.
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I didn’t really know much about the Maori land march and got distracted reading about it, Suzanne. That sunset is a gem!
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There is always more to a country’s history than what the average person knows. When studying to be a kindy teacher, we studied the Maori culture and an in-depth history. I was born in NZ, and with an open mind, I learnt much more.
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Wonderful images and I love the statue.
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Thanks very much, Sue, and the statue depicts Dame Whina Cooper very realistically.
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Great idea, Suzanne. Wonderful images, I look forward to more posts.
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What a fun concept for a blog series. The photos are wonderful (as yours invariably are).
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Thanks very much, Eilene. Some letters are easier than others to find places. Rekindles good memories of touring around our own backyard instead of the world.
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Wow. Just wow.
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Thanks very much, Ju-Lyn.
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Those horses! What a picture Suzanne! And many thanks for the link.
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You’re very welcome, Jude and thanks very much; unfortunately, the wrong post for the photo; another one is in it’s place. Too much in a rush.
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Every one a gem here – sunset, horses, and Dame Whina!
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Dame Whina is the supreme gem and a woman to be admired even though she rankled many to get what she wanted. Needs must!
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