Convergence
A jetty on the Waikato River, looking downstream. The bridge in the distance is the Whitiora Bridge.

Maori Carving Head
This carved head is part of a Maori carving located at the Kirikiriroa Pa site above the Waikato River at the east end of London Street, Hamilton City. It can look quite terrifying to the uninitiated!

Happy Christmas to  you and yours and best wishes for a successful New Year - Dave & Jill

Ferry across the Tauranga Harbour

This little boat ploughs its way across the Tauranga Harbour several times a day from Tauranga to Mt Maunganui. Though two major roads and a harbour bridge join the two cities, this little ferry is still popular, especially among holiday makers, as a fun way to cross the harbour.

Knick Nacks

A shop with a shelves full of knick nacks for sale. Buy your ornaments here!

Peace Lilly

A lovely peace Lilly flower, photo taken at the Hamilton Gardens Hothouse earlier this year.

A family enjoying a day at Hamilton Gardens.
It was a lovely day - too good to resist. A family enjoying having a day out at the Hamilton Gardens.

Canopy of green
A green tree canopy of new leaves makes a restful shaded view from below on a hot day.

Livingstone Daisies

This bowl of brightly coloured Livingstone Daisies sitting on our patio are currenly in full bloom on days that are sunny and warm. This is most days, but just occasionally cooler days or no sun may prevent them from giving a nice wide-open display.

Hats, Hats, Hats

Hats for sale at a garden centre make an interesting topic for a photo I think?

Click to enlarge.

Just steps

Nothing amazing here. I just thought that these steps at the Hamilton Gardens would make a good photo.

A place to relax at Hamilton Gardens
This sheltered location is a great place to sit and shelter from the rain, or the sun on a hot day. One can relax looking over Turtle Lake and, if you like, partake of a home-prepared picnic.

In the distance, hard to see here is a small waterfall

Big gum tree
This big gum tree occupies a conspicuous place at the entrance to the Rhodadendron Lawn at the Hamilton Gardens. It is very tall and  looks magnificent.

Ornaments for sale at the recent Royal Show in Hamilton 

I like these humorous figureens. They are very photogenic and are funny to view.

Concrete sculpures for sale at the Royal Show

This is one of the commercial stands at the Royal Show. I thought this group of concrete sculptures made a tidy display.

Auckland tall building
This photo was taken while I was being driven through Auckland streets.

The Waikato River at Hamilton
I feel a strong affinity for the Waikato River. Though this part of the river is straight for about one kilometre, the rest of the river flows in twisting turns through our city and is a thing of natural wonder and beauty. I find enjoyment and peace whenever I am beside it. It also serves our city for water supply and as a source of recreation for those who have power boats or wish to water ski. Rowing and dragon boating sports are also carried out here giving extra enjoyment of our fine river as well as raft races in summer. The Waikato River is the character and heart of our city.

Sign at Auckland Airport
Sign on the wall of the Dining Area at the Auckland airport. It refers to young New Zealanders heading for destinations overseas for their big OE.

A UFO?

Nah. Just a sculpture, or something, in Palmer's Garden Centre, Hamilton. 

I have given it a bit of sepia treatment to try to make it look more realistic. 

Click on the photo to enlarge.

Lighting Standard
This lighting standard is at the Hamilton Gardens. The shape gives the appearance of a bygone era and they look good.

Architectural Building in Cambridge
I came upon this building in Cambridge recently and had never noticed it before. I thought it looked quite effective and very different to other buildings around the town.

For a child's amusement
One of those stationary cars that kids can sit in while their mothers shop. This was outside a pet shop and it looked like it would make a good photo, so here it is.
Click on the photo to enlarge.

ANZAC Memorial at Te Awamutu, Waikato
I was impressed by this ANZAC Memorial plinth. The NZ flag flying beside it added a special meaning.

New Zealanders are not usually very patriotic - it's not a part of our training - but it felt good to see this recently.

Hamilton central city skyline from across the Waikato River
I think that views across water always seem to be  interesting, hence this shot taken during our grand daughter's Waka race on Saturday. It is a view of the back of buildings which mainly face Hamilton's main shopping street, Victoria Street.

The Waikato River is one of Hamilton's natural beauty attractions. What makes it an interesting one is that it is only straight where it runs past the central shopping centre. The remainder of the river's course meanders through the city, adding to its interest and beauty. There are well laid river paths on the city side which run for several kilometres and are shared between walkers and cyclists, and some limited paths also along the opposite side of the river.

Our city is now beginning to gain a tourist interest, but mainly it is a place of interest and beauty for our residents. Click on the photo to enlarge.

Hamilton Band Rotunda
This band rotunda is a part of Hamilton's history and has been there for as long as I can remember, and I was born and grew up in this town. Unfortunately, today being Sunday and with libraries shut I was unable to find any information about this structure other than that it has been used in recent years as an entertainment facility often for the use of pop-bands, though in years gone by it would have been used by traditional bands to entertain local people, probably on sedate Sunday afternoons, though I must admit I have never been to such an activity.

Jill and I had to rise early the day this photo was taken, and it is a bit of an unusual shot for me because the sun was just rising over the trees across the Waikato River and was shining directly onto the structure illuminating it nicely.

Click on the photo to enlarge.

Pukeko
The Pukeko is a New Zealand wading bird, found around lakes or swampy land. Because it is so prevalent around the Hamilton Lake many people treat it with contempt, much like you might a seagull or pigeon. But I like the Pukeko and think it is an attractive bird with its blue/black colouring topped off with its red 'cap.'

It is generally a shy bird, non-aggressive and co-exists easily with other wild fowl like ducks, geese and pigeons. In spring to summer it usually has one or two chicks and protects them by encouraging them to stay amongst the reads.

Though most of the Pukeko found in Hamilton are not credited with flying we have visited other habitats elsewhere in NZ where they fly quite readily and can be seen roosting in the trees.

The Brand New Claudelands Event Centre - Hamilton, NZ
This brand new building was officially opened to the public last Saturday, and won the hearts and minds of Hamilton people, including some who may have been critical of its cost.

I for one felt very proud of this new addition to our city.

Mount Pirongia

Though this is really no more than a high hill we call it Mt Pirongia which is located in the western Waikato near the western coast. 

Autumn Leaf Mosaic

The beauty of autumn shows through these dying leaves, which have served their purpose through spring and summer in aiding the tree to process food and air for it's nourishment, and are now no longer required over the cold winter period. 

In spring new leaves will appear and continue the same living process which these leaves provided.

Up and away!
A hot air balloon sails off into the rising sun.

Autumn Tree colouring
Autumn is a very colourful and lovely season of the year with all of those yellows, oranges, and browns. Its as if , although winter is on its way, the season of autumn is saying, "Here, enjoy my beautiful displays and remember them when the harshness of winter arrives."

A Blue Car


Could this be called a Classic Car? I don't know, but from where I stood across the road and down a bit it looked great! It's probably as old as me and probably in as good a condition  :-)  . 


It was spotted at Tirau during our visit there today.

Sunset
This photo is from my collection. I liked it so here it is.

Surfer with stick?
This picture wasn't taken recently.

I haven't seen this kind of surfing so don't know what it is called. Perhaps someone can tell me?

Click on photo to enlarge.

Wind Generation over Suburbia
These wind electricity generating turbines overlook this township. I never took a note of where it was but it is somewhere in the southern North Island not too far from Wellington. Perhaps Fielding?
This photo was taken during our rail trip from Hamilton to Wellington

Under the Whitiora Bridge

Sometimes architecture can be interesting to see from angles that are unintended. From the top this bridge is very plain but practical. Underneath the curves of its structure can be interesting to see.

Click on picture to enlarge.

Crecsent moon in a grey sky

I took this photo late one hazy afternoon. At first I wasn't impressed by it at all, then tonight I took another look and decided it was special in its own way.

Click on picture to enlarge.

Wahine Memorial Plaque
On April 10, 1968, the Wahine inter-island ferry, travelling from Lyttleton to Wellington, was caught in a violent storm and the skipper decided to make a run for the safety of the Wellington Harbour, but the winds caught the ship as she entered port and blew her onto rocks just inside the harbour entrance. The Wahine was holed and began to list and sink. Here is an account of the incident from the following web site - 

http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/wahine-disaster

Wellington Harbour Tragedy

The sinking of the Lytteton–Wellington ferry Wahine on 10 April 1968 was New Zealand’s worst modern maritime disaster. Fifty-one people lost their lives that day, another died several weeks later and a 53rd victim died in 1990 from injuries sustained in the wreck. The Wahine’s demise also marked a coming of age for television news broadcasting in New Zealand as images of the disaster were beamed into the nation’s living rooms. The footage was later screened around the world as the international media spotlight focused on Wellington.

Would-be rescuers stood helplessly on the beach at Seatoun as the Wahine succumbed to one of the worst storms recorded in New Zealand history. It seemed impossible that so many lives could be lost so close to shore. Although the main cause of the accident was the atrocious weather conditions, the subsequent inquest also acknowledged that errors of judgement had been made both on board the ferry and on shore. Shipwrecks were commonplace in the 19th century, but this was the 1960s – how could a large, modern vessel founder almost within sight of New Zealand’s capital city?

The plaque picture above was taken beside the beach at Eastbourne where most of the bodies of the victims who died were washed ashore.


Blame for this accident was attributed to no one and was just an unfortunate incident due to the wild weather.

Alas poor Yorick (Hamlet)

No, this is not he, but another.... This fine looking specimen is located in the Te Papa museum in Wellington, and is there to teach us a lesson about fossils.

Click to enlarge
.

Colourful boats in a rack at Eastbourne, Wellington.

Hot Air Balloon at Sunset
This gives an eerie feel as the dusk approaches. But it is only because the camera is facing the sinking sun and has adjusted to reduce the brightness of the light that the sky looks so dark. Its not dark, of course, as balloons wouldn't fly in the dark here as I expect they would not be permitted to by law.
Click to enlarge.

Eastbourne
This is a part of the shopping area of Eastbourne, around the harbour from Wellington. The shopping area isn't very big, but then, neither is Eastbourne's population. For any important shopping a drive around the bays to Lower Hutt or even Wellington isn't far to go. Even catch a bus. These are regular and offer an excellent service, or one can catch the boat from Days Bay just around the corner in the next bay to go to Wellington, providing the harbour isn't too rough to stop the boat from running.
Click on the photo to enlarge.

A view from Wellington Zoo

This picnic area is a part of the Wellington Zoo, and beyond is the Wellington suburb of Newtown.

Click to enlarge the photo.

Last paddle before dinner
I would go down to the Petone beach each night before the sun set for the day during our stay there. Each evening these two would be down there too. I think they might live near by. The older man looked like he may have been the boy's granddad.

It was nice to see them enjoying each other's company.
Click on the picture to enlarge.

Bunting
This colourful bunting hangs across the shopping area at Eastbourne, across the Port Nicholson Harbour from Wellington City. it gives a bit of summery festive atmosphere while shopping here.
Click on the picture to enlarge

Building the original Hapuawhanua Viaduct
This Viaduct was built near National Park on the main North/South railway link in the North Island of New Zealand. It has since recently been replaced so is no longer in use by the Railways.

What makes this photo of interest is the wording at the bottom left of the picture. Click on the photo to enlarge.

A Mural on the wall at Petone beach
This mural was decorating the wall at Petone beach and represents a Maori story. Click to enlarge.

Fancy paving design 
This can be found at the Petone foreshore in the Wellington Region.

On the wall in a restaurant...
This blackboard was on the wall in a restaurant in Eastbourne, Wellington, during our visit recently. I thought the play on words was clever.

Sunset at Petone Beach
Petone is a small town, now a suburb of Lower Hutt, and is located across the harbour from Wellington City metropolitan area. During our recent holiday in Wellington we stayed in a motel in Petone, just beside the Petone Beach.

In this photo the sun is setting over the western hills surrounding the harbour, and in the gloam you can see the outline of the Petone Wharf, now rarely used by ships and mostly used by recreational fishermen. There used to be an abattoir in Petone and the wharf may once have been used to load meat aboard ships for export, or distribution around the New Zealand coast. I don't really know its history. Click picture to enlarge.