friends
Andrew Bayer Live at ABGT500 Los Angeles
Andrew Bayer's live set at Above & Beyond's Group Therapy 500 at the Banc of California Stadium is now available to stream and view.
This was one of the top sets of the weekend; we were also lucky enough to see Andrew live in a much smaller venue at the Academy LA the night before, where he also played a great set.
Rufus Du Sol
Went to the Rüfüs Du Sol concert in Tāmaki Makaurau last night. It was pure joy and wonderment.
The crowd at the Vector Arena seemingly stretching to infinity under a blizzard of white confetti.
Sam surrounded by confetti.
Rusty and Melissa - who we met at the show - enjoying the vibe.
Turns out my sister was at the same concert - neither of us knew till we saw each other in the crowd!
Rüfüs Du Sol member and singer Tyrone Lindqvist thanking the crowd.
Country morning, Taratahi #country #morning #prerun #run #spring #taratahi #carterton #wairarapa #aotearoa
Théo, Badger and Simon came to Hōkio Beach #friends #beach #walks #sun #spring #hokio #hōkio #hokiobeach #horowhenua #aotearoa
Le Cercle Noir. A truly outstanding food, wine and sensory experience. Thanks Shepherd Restaurant and Millton Vineyards for a spectacular evening. #visawoap #evastreet #hannahslaneway #wellingtonnz #aotearoanz
Happy Mardi Gras!
It’s a great shame that those of us in Aotearoa NZ can’t join our cousins in Australia for this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras - but we wish you all the best ! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤
Nunuku's cave petroglpyphs
Our first visit on 6 February was to Te Ana a Nunuku (Nunuku’s cave) and the petroglyphs (rock carvings) that can be found there, carved in bas relief over the top of an ancient cave mouth.
Our excellent guide Deborah Goomes indicated that tradition connects Nunuku’s cave with Nunuku-whenua, the Moriori chief who established ‘Nunuku’s Law’ which forbade war, cannibalism and murder.
The petroglyphs depict seals, birds, faces and other elements of Moriori culture and tradition.
Waitangi Day in Waitangi (the *other* Waitangi)...
The 6th of February is Aotearoa New Zealand’s national day - commemorating the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), which established British government over the islands, whilst retaining rangatiratanga (chieftainship) for iwi Māori. The Treaty has been largely honour in the breach… but things are improving.
The day was stunning.
Waitangi, Rēkohu
Waitangi is the main settlement of Rēkohu (Chatham Island / Wharekauri).
Hotel Chatham is the centre of all visitor activity. It's the main accomodation, and only restaurant and bar on the islands.
The Waitangi Store is the main grocery and supply store. Given the island’s population of 600, it's not large. It seems many people import their own goods directly.
Small towns make for interesting combinations. They also tell Sam’s life story (but not necessarily in that order…)
The petrol station and hardware store:
Rēkohu and Rangihaute visit (5-8 February 2021)
A group of friends and I visited Rēkohu (Chatham Island) and Rangihaute (Pitt Island) over Aotearoa New Zealand’s Waitangi weekend (5-8 February 2021). These islands are the most remote part of Aotearoa, 800km east of Te Waipounamu (South Island).
The islands boast stunning natural landscapes of considerably diversity, while their cultural history is equally diverse, tragic and fascinating. Ancestral home of the Moriori, famous for their pacifist culture, rākau momori (dendroglyph tree carvings), and sadly the devastating impact of contact and colonisation by both Europeans and mainland Māori.
In the next few posts I’ll put up pictures of our trip, but I wanted to provide some context for what was a truly fascinating experience.
Below is a picture of the western coast of Rēkohu, north of the main settlement of Waitangi.
