nzflag(1).gif (9615 bytes)        S/V TETHYS

Touring New Zealand by Car
December 2000, February, March 2001

Moeraki Boulders and Katiki Penguins
nz_moeraki_harbour.jpg (5935 bytes) Stopped along the coast at Moeraki for lunch and to see the boulders. A pretty little harbour, not very well sheltered. The local fishing fleet bobbed around on their moorings in the swell than came around the headland into the anchorage.
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These are naturally formed boulders that get exposed from the hills by the erosion action of the sea. The boulders are not carved by the sea but are formed in this round shape. Many boulders have been carted away over the years ending up in peoples gardens.

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At the base of the Katiki lighthouse there is a penguin sanctuary. We were fortunate to visit with a group of school kids and got to see a few Yellow eyed and Fiordland crested penguins as they were taking a swim in a small pool. These penguins had been found hurt and brought here for rehabilitation. After they get well they will be released into the wild.
nz_katiki_peninsula.jpg (4797 bytes) The Katiki Peninsula, once a fortified Maori village (Pa) is now home to sheep, fur seals, yellow eyed penguins, assorted shags and other seabirds. It's a rugged coast with outlying reefs and a steep rocky shoreline.
These 6' tall grasses never cease to amaze us. There are several varieties all growing wild around NZ. We've seen them along the roads in the far north and deepest south. Paula wanted an 'artistic' picture of a clump of grass silhouetted with the sea in the background. nz_katiki_grass.jpg (9092 bytes)
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