The last week of our seven week trip around New Zealand saw us back in the north of the North Island. I say back because this was the place where we have spent most of our time since we arrived in New Zealand. So we haven't really spent just a week here; it's more like a year or even longer. This means that we have seen far more than we would in our usual weeks stay so I have just picked three things that made an impression on me during our time here. And, just to make sure you remember it is not the same, we have set it out in a different way too. As you may know New Zealand is volcanic and, apart from the fact that the main part of the country consists of two islands, there are many other islands just a few miles off the mainland. The biggest island is Stewart Island at the very southern tip of the South Island; the largest collection is the Bay of Islands where there are over 100 different islands although only a few of them are inhabited. When we were there we also went out and swam with dolphins, or at least Ev did because both she and the dolphins can swim and I can't.

Further down the coast, close to Auckland, there are even more islands. Great Barrier Island is, I think, the fourth largest island off the coast of New Zealand and here, about 90kms away from Auckland, I am told they don't even have electricity. Closer is the island of Waiheke and we have spent a bit of time there. It is a 30 minute ferry journey from New Zealand, and about 8,000 people live there and quite a number actually commute to Auckland each day. And not just businessmen, kids go there to school. So every day, whatever the weather, you climb on a ferry and head to school. Cool, isn't it? Some of Waiheke is quite heavily populated, especially around the nicest beaches but there are other areas, at the southern end of the island which are quite deserted with just a few houses and lots of trees and plants, known as bush. Here you can find lemon and lime trees, banana plants and even, in one place, a papaya tree.

And yet, just across the water is Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city with over one million people living in and around and in the centre all tall buildings and office blocks. And it is also a fantastic cultural mix. As you may know originally New Zealand was inhabited by the Maori and then Europeans, mainly British, came and settled. Later other people from the Pacific Islands came across, especially Samoans, Tongans and Fijians. Then in the last few years people from Asia have come across both to study and then to live. It produces a diversity, which means a wide range, of different cultures and lifestyles and they all have to get on together. Sometimes it can be quite difficult. Some people find it hard to adapt to a different way of life and sometimes similar groups will all live together and a whole area will become less New Zealand and more Asian.

I'm not sure I know the answer to this problem. As an Englishman I'm afraid my countrymen, years ago, did quite a good job at destroying cultures. We weren't as bad as some and we didn't, in many cases, set out to kill the inhabitants but we did take away their land, their lifestyle and their customs mainly just by being there. I wouldn't want the new New Zealand to lose its culture, a combination of the indigenous Maori one and a European one. A politician here recently made some comment that as there were no true blood Maoris there was now no Maori culture. That is not only silly but also dangerous. Every who feels a part of them is Maori, is; everyone who follows some of their customs and traditions is also bringing that culture to life. To say there is no Maori culture shows a complete lack of understanding of people's feelings, beliefs and heritage. Fortunately Maori culture is not only strong, but also thriving and even if there is no full blood Maori anymore there is a full bloodied Maori culture. I feel very strongly about this and I hope you can think about it too in your country.

We have seen islands, a very multi-cultural city, so what else can you find in this part of New Zealand. The answer is that, away from the suburbs of Auckland, you will find farms. Mainly cattle with the cows being used for milk or beef. We have a friend who we have stayed with in Northland and he has two farms, which seems a bit greedy but in New Zealand there is more than enough room. He is also a vet and looks after animals. When you live in cities, as Ev and I have done most of our lives, you miss out on seeing quite a lot. Of course we know cows give birth to calves but until you see it, it doesn't really sink home. Anyway, one Sunday, Mike said he had been called out to a little place near him where a cow was due to give birth. He asked if we would like to go with him and we quickly agreed.

When we arrived the people had placed the cow into a narrow enclosure. The first thing Mike did was fix up a pulley system on the end fence of the enclosure. Interesting, I thought. Then he went to the rear of the cow and you could see the little feet of the calf beginning to protrude through. He attached a chain, connected to the pulley, around the feet of this calf, which was of course still inside its mother. Strange and interesting, I thought. Then Mike explained that the calf was quite big, the mother quite small and he would need help to pull the calf out. In the end, if you will pardon the pun (look up what a pun is if you don't know) the calf popped out quite easily and Mike made sure it was OK, before allowing the mother out of her enclosure and in to see her baby. She nosed around it and began to lick it clean. Mike went in to have another look and the cow got very protective of her little newborn baby and made a charge at Mike. Mike leapt the fence with great speed and decided it was better to watch from a safe distance. It was all a great experience and just one of many we have had as travelled around New Zealand. I hope you have enjoyed it with us.