Day 314: Waitangi Treaty Grounds Tour — Haka Performance — Dinner at Our Winery

by Ted · Published November 15, 2019 · Updated November 17, 2019

I took a jog this morning to the Paroa Bay Beach — the same place hung out yesterday afternoon. The hills made a relatively short jog a beast of a workout. On the way back we passed the swing where the kids played yesterday afternoon.

Spotted Willa’s flip flops.

Take off shoes. Get on swing. Get back in golf cart. Drive off without shoes. This is a trait she got from her mom. Margaret agrees.

After some homeschool this morning we decided to check out the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. It’s New Zealand’s “most important historic site” and often called the “Birthplace of the Nation.” The site has a long history as a tribal meeting ground but most notably was where the Maori version of the Treaty of Waitangi was signed by local chiefs and British Captain William Hobson.

We joined a 1 hour tour by from a Maori descendent and then watched a cultural performance. We’ve been wanting to see a Haka dance — box checked!

The kids were dirt-digging bored during the tour but loved the performance.

There was a nice gift shop on sight and we found a cozy little sweater for Cole Debord.

There was a nice little waterfront playground about 5 minutes from the treaty grounds. Margaret had packed PBJs, apples and cookies from home so we had lunch at a picnic table then chilled out while the kids checked out playground number 12,763 on the year. Exaggerating but only slightly.

It was a gorgeous afternoon so once we got home, I took the kids for a couple loops on the golf cart.

Margaret and Lobsy went for a walk. They stopped at these cool chairs next to the pond down the hill from our house.

By 6:30 we were cleaned up and ready for a special dinner at the Paroa Bay restaurant, Sage, to cap off our 5 days in Bay of Islands.

Our experience at Sage matched what we’ve grown to love about this part of NZ: amazing views and light, friendly service, inventive food and really good wine.