20-23 March 2017 Kerikeri, Rainbow Falls

NZMCA site Freedom Camping ($3pp p/n)

We headed for an NZMCA because we needed to reduce our average costs asap! We'd been staying at 'proper' campsites for a few nights now, and although it's comfortable to have all those mod-cons in the caravan working on 240v, occasionally it's very satisfying to 'mix it up' and freedom camp somewhere away from it all.

Shells at the nearby beach at Kerikeri Inlet Road...

the Harbour at KeriKeri

Justin fishing as Dizzy lazes in the sunshine...

We found the Kerikeri site was exactly what we were looking for  - peaceful, not many people staying here, right next door to the incredible roaring Rainbow Falls reserve and tracks. The sad thing was that - of course - the DoC land - including a wonderful walking track of an hour that goes all the way into the town (1 hour) was NO DOGS. Sometimes this anti-dog NZ really gets me angry.😠

The view of Rainbow Falls from the track beside the campsite:

But there were compromises - beaches and bays and rivers all around us where there were no restrictions at all - thank God. 

Also there was a friendly butcher just at the top of the road. The only thing missing here was a drinking-water tap, so we were on strict rations after filling-up both tanks at Waitangi...

one of the small quiet bays overlooking the harbour at Kerikeri...

I'd forgotten that NZ First's Winston Peters' office was in Kerikeri - so I stopped into to chat to Jane Johnston about the recent Press Release against 1080 Poison. Now I don't agree with most of what NZ First stand for, but after spending the past 3 months travelling the length and breadth of New Zealand, and seeing the stark difference between the poisoned areas and the (few remaining) areas left untouched by DoC, TBFree or Commercial intervention - it's obvious the ecocide has got to be stopped. NZ First are the only poltical party that seem to be exposing and speaking-out about this fraud, so I want to support that element of what they do.

NZ Firsts office in KeriKeri centre

Jane told us about the Bush Bay Action group - which is what I like to think is the real alternative to this poisoning obsession - real communities getting out there, into the forests and seeing for themselves what is happening and how they can observe and sometimes help Mother Nature. But can you believe, when I later investigated the social media of this group, they were spouting off the same propaganda from DoC - that tired old war-mongering language that 1080 poison from helicopters is somehow 'targeted' and 'helpful' to native birds. Of course quoting evidence that contradicts this view - ironically from their own pro-poisoning hierarchy - is enough to be deleted and blocked from any  further comments. Hmmmm I wonder what their Trustees think of that behaviour? And without NZ First's support, they are a bit lost in Northland..

Irony: opposite NZ Firsts office - a possum fur shop (expensive)

Our friend Shane in Southland can't find enough poison-free land to catch and sell possum fur and fibre, and here in Northland, where there's a real opportunity to use the fur and meat to good economic benefit, the community groups that CAN make a real change, are brainwashed (and maybe blackmailed) into repeating the same old rhetoric based on false science and flawed studies full of conflicts of interest. Depressing just isn't a strong enough word.

Harbour at Kerikeri Outlet.

God help NZ if the poison reaches the ubiquitous nature in Northland that is has in South Island.

On a more positive note to end this post, we discovered a fabulous authentic, historic 'Stone Store' in one of the bays - an original settler place from full with lovely crafty things (that you can also buy online) that have (mainly) been made in NZ.

The stone store - with the oldest Pakeha house in NZ behind it.

It was such a refreshing change from the many Chinese-imported rubbish we see around the tourist shops now. And I couldn't resist buying a couple of hand-molded, beeswax candles and a gift for my creative friend's forthcoming birthday (thinking ahead). But I could have spent hours here, and the museum and gardens surrounding it are fascinating and peaceful. 

One for the 'return' list. Definitely.