Information Report Northland

Information Report Northland

For writing the last 2 weeks we have been working on information reports. For this activity we first had to choose a region in New Zealand then research about it. We had to find information about history, landmarks and attractions. Here is my information report -

Northland

Northland is thought to be the first part of New Zealand to be discovered and walked upon by the early Māori settlers. Later European settlers began to arrive and colonise the land. A treaty between the Māori and the Europeans was signed some years later in Waitangi, and Northland became known as the 'birthplace of a nation'. Approximately 1,000 years ago, the legendary Māori explorer, Kupe discovered New Zealand. It is claimed that the first landfall of Kupe's waka was on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour. In 1769 Captain Cook discovered New Zealand. Once news of the discovery reached Britain, traders, whalers and sealers began to arrive.

A warmer climate than the rest of New Zealand provides a hospitable environment for flora and fauna.The region is 85 kilometres across at its widest point, and 7.5 kilometres at its narrowest.Flat land is rare, and found mainly in narrow river valleys and coastal areas. The main upland areas are the Maungataniwha, Tūtāmoe and Waimā ranges, with the highest point around 780 metres above sea level. 

Many places in Northland hold historic significance. The birthplace of New Zealand, Waitangi is home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed in 1840. Opo the dolphin statue, Opo was a bottlenose dolphin who became famous throughout New Zealand during the summer of 1955/56 for playing with the children of the small town of Opononi on the Hokianga harbour.Opo was a wild dolphin that started following fishing boats around Opononi in early 1955. She was or iginally named "Opononi Jack", based on Pelorus Jack, since she was presumed to be male. Unlike the majority of dolphins, she had no qualms about human company, and would perform stunts for locals, play with objects like beach balls and beer bottles, and allow children to swim alongside her and make contact. Kandiah Alpacas and farmstay. Kandiah Alpacas and Farmstay is owned by Pav and Mark Stacey. Their farm is situated just 10 minutes from the wonderful small township of Waipu in Northland New Zealand. We have a wonderful herd of mixed colour suri alpacas. Suri alpacas have a beautiful soft, lustrous fleece.