Wellington is well suited for walking around its major cultural experiences. Several important museums and galleries are strung along the waterfront, adjacent to the downtown area, or are just a block or two back from there, while others are a kilometre or so further away. Start at Te Papa on the waterfront, not just because [...]
As we drive down the Ngauranga Gorge into Wellington I offer sage advice to the driver: “Watch your speed, see that camera up there.” An encounter, a few years back, with a white NZ Transport Agency envelope containing an instant fine, brought my attention to the 80-kilometre speed sign. At the bottom of the hill, [...]
On the 25th of April 1915 at 4:30am, four thousand ANZAC troops landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula, a mile north of their intended landing point and advanced quickly into the hills. The objective was to capture the high ground and ultimately to advance up the peninsula to capture Constantinople, the then capital of the Turkish Empire, [...]
There’s an indescribable pleasure in revisiting one’s old hometown and bringing to mind youthful memories triggered by familiar landmarks and scenes. Our capital city at the centre of Middle Earth still manages to surprise me. I love the fact that when the weather is ‘trying’ in the sense of rain, hail or gales, the locals [...]
The Hutt Valley borders the north side of Wellington Harbour, just minutes away from the central city. It feels like the capital city’s big backyard – full of open spaces to explore. Stop for a cool drink at one of Petone’s many new eateries on the harbour foreshore, and you’re greeted with stories that will [...]
The ground was dark as I stumbled down towards the gravel shore to photograph the Cape Palliser lighthouse silhouetted against the striped morning sky. I was only half awake, still entombed in the warm feeling from my sleeping bag. Suddenly the ground started to rumble in front of me. I caught a waft of stale [...]