THE INTERNAL - NEWSLETTER 23/04

OUR WEEKEND TRIP

On the weekend, we spontaneously decided to go to Kawau Island. It is one of the larger islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Rich in history, the island was once a busy mining settlement, and in the mid 1800s became the home of New Zealand's Governor Sir George Grey, who developed the stately Mansion House and its exotic gardens. Today about 10 percent of the island is protected as publicly owned reserves managed by the Department of Conservation. The remainder of the island is privately owned with a small resident population.
We took a boat taxi from Sandspit wharf, near Warkworth, about one and a half hour’s drive north of Auckland. From far off, the mansion did not look that impressive, but we were forced to change our opinions when we were actually standing beside it.
We set out determined to explore the island, and see all the different points shown on the map we got at the ticket office. However, after about half an hour, we came to the conclusion that the map was either done in a hurry, or somebody was having a joke on us! That was the worst map I have ever seen!
Nonetheless, we did walk round the island (with no help from the map I must add), enjoying the magnificent views. We were a bit disappointed with the ladies bay, as this did not seem a very inviting spot for a swim. We did not see any sharks at sharks’ bay either, but I doubt one can actually spot one. We did see the old mines which looked quite mysterious and frightening. I was expecting Indiana Jones to jump out any minute.
And we saw our first wallabies!! We thought at first that they were Kangaroos. Wallabiesare marsupials which, at first glance, look exactly like small kangaroos. Like kangaroos, they carry their young 'joeys' in a pouch, have a strong tail and hind legs, and smaller front paws used for foraging. They feed off seeds and grasses. There are a lot of them hopping around the island. In about 1870, Sir George Grey, then Governor of New Zealand, liberated a variety of exotic birds and animals on the island, including wallabies. The wallabies thrived and became pests. Many other introduced species failed to survive, mainly due to a lack of vegetation caused by the wallabies. Since there are so many of them, we did get a chance to take a few photos, though they did not make it easy for us.
Other than that, I saw sheep for the first time in New Zealand. Yup, a wonderful experience.

WELCOME TO MIDDLE EARTH

Let’s all say a big hearty welcome to a new intern, Christoph, and this time, it is not somebody from Germany. No siree. This time it’s Austria!

He is arriving on Friday the 6th, but lucky him, he is not starting his internship until a week later. And this will be at The Healthcare Manufacturing group.

We hope the jetlag doesn’t get you too bad J Have a nice trip here.

FEATURING DEVONPORT

Devonport, a charming historic seaside village, on the northern shores of Auckland City, is only 10 minutes by ferry (half hourly service) and 15 minutes by car to Auckland City centre. A delightful base to explore the Auckland area, return in the evening and stroll along the seafront to the village for dinner.
Ask at the Devonport Visitor Centre for a copy of The Old Devonport Walk & Explore Historic Devonport brochures and walk slowly around Devonport.
There are many other ways to see Devonport apart from exploring by yourself,
            Take a ride on a the Town & Country Clydesdales - climb on board a covered wagon and be taken on a tour by Dan and his legendary Clydesdales horses who starred in "Hercules" Leaves from outside the ferry terminal. Phone: 09 238 6675.

            Devonport Explorer Tours - depart hourly from the ferry terminal and visit in airconditioned comfortable coach with a fantastic commentary all the high lights of Devonport, including the volcanic hills and viewing spots with 360 degree view of Auckland, Email paul@devonporttours.co.nz

Things to do & see.

·  Mt Victoria.
Views, painted mushrooms, the musical bunker. This is the hill immediately behind the shopping centre. Walking to the top takes approx 10 - 20 minutes depending on the path and fitness. It is possible to drive to the top. Spectacular views of the North Shore city, the gulf and Auckland City. Also there are remnants of the Kawerau tribe fortifications.
·  North Head, - the guns and the tunnels
The other hill of Devonport. It is a 15-20 minute walk to reach North Head from the ferry terminal. The Department of Conservation administers the area and it is open daily. Spectacular views of the harbour and the islands of the gulf. It is possible to drive up part of the way. Site contains an extensive collection of military tunnels which are open for exploration.
·  Torpedo Bay
The small bay just before North Head. French explorer Dumont d'Urville landed here in 1827. Note the memorial to the arrival of the Tainui canoe from Hawaiki about 1300 AD. Named after the naval torpedo boat housed there in the early 1920s. Good swimming at high tide and a popular place to launch boats.
·  Windsor Reserve
Site of the formation of the New Zealand squadron of the Royal Navy in 1862. The 1924 War Memorial is adjacent to the Library.

·  The William C Daldy Preservation Society
Steam Tug berthed at Devonport Wharf.
·  The Naval Museum - Spring St, off Queens Parade.
Open daily. Free admission. A fantastic collection of naval memorabilia.
·  Devonport Museum - Mt Cambria Reserve
Open on weekends only. 2.00pm - 4.00 pm.
·Swimming and a day at the beach:
Enjoy the beaches at the wharf, Cheltenham Beach, Torpedo Bay and Stanley Bay
·Devonport Domain - home of North Shore Cricket Club
During summer watch a game of cricket being played. This is the oldest sportsfield on the North Shore and the North Shore Cricket Club, the oldest in New Zealand(est 1864) has been playing on the Devonport Domain since 1896. Games are played normally on Saturday & Sunday. Stroll down and sit under a shady tree and watch the games. If you have any questions ask a local male, they will happily answer and educate.

Cheltenham Beach

Cheltenham Beach is only 1 mile from the ferry terminal. It is an easy walk, suitable for all ages. Head along King Edward Parade towards North Head. Along the way pass the Devonport Yacht Club, the Masonic Tavern and the cricket green. The beach is sandy and a safe place to swim. It is one of Auckland's best beaches, not known by everyone. After a day at the beach walk around North Head and explore the tunnels and enjoy the panoramic views of the harbour and gulf.
A buffet lunch is served at McHugh's Reception Lounge every day from 11.30am to 2.00pm.
At the northern end of the beach at the Vauxhall Rd shops there are takeaway and cafe food available.

Jackson’s Museum

Situated in the old Devonport Post Office in Victoria St. Museum contains auto mobilia, sounds, Victoriana and collectables. Not just another museum but very, very, very, different with something for everyone. 15,000 exhibits with a high proportion of unusual items.

Opening Hours: Daily 11am - 4 pm

Map of Devonport Village

Map drawn by Ben Archer. Thankyou.

Key to Map Numbers:

1. St Pauls Presbyterian Church
2. St Francis Roman Catholic Church
3. Mt Cambria Reserve & Devonport Museum
4. Whites Dairy - "largest icecreams in the world"
5. Holy Trinity Anglican Church
6. Naval Museum
7. Torpedo Bay
8. Windsor Reserve
9. Waitemata Golf Course

WEEK AND WEEKEND SUGGESTIONS

Comedy

Classic comedy & bar: 321 Queen St.
Local and international stand up comedy acts from Wednesday to Saturday. Late show on Friday and Saturday.

9 – 10 August, Lenny Henry

One of the UK’s favourite comedians returns fresh from a sell-out London season with his new show, So Much Things to Say.
Venue: The Civic, cnr. Queen & Wellesley St The Edge
Phone: 307 5000

Theatre

To 8th of August, The Bach.
The premiere of Stephen Sinclair’s comedy about two middle-aged brothers who unite in protest when the council erects a public toilet next door to their family Bach. Venue: Herald Theatre, phone 307 5000 or visit.

Rugby

7. August, NRL Rugby League

Warriors vs. Broncos, at the Ericsson Stadium.

Phone: 307 5000

MESSAGE FROM JONATHAN

Well, it’s been awhile since I’ve been able to get something written for the newsletter.  A lot has happened over the last month, and almost all of the faces we have in Auckland now are different from when I began in March!

Firstly, thanks to Anna Kathrin for all her hard work and effort over the months that she was here!  She will be missed by everyone no doubt, but especially here at the college! She was always helpful and friendly.  But we now have Sedina working for us, to put together the newsletter, escort new interns around the city, and generally keep things running smoothly.

We have a few other changes in progress here as well.  There have been several new faces, and soon there will be many more coming to Auckland.  We have several new interns starting soon, so the social schedule may start to get busy, depending on whether the new faces prefer to mingle with the locals or spend time with the ex-pats!

Another change is that for the first time we will have an intern working outside of Auckland in the windy capital of Wellington.  The internship is in the area of Politics, hence the placement down there with a political party.  Maybe we can have a social event down there sometime?  We can network with the power brokers and big shots!

Anyway, that’s all for this time. Hope you are enjoying winter in the city and the good news is that it only gets better from here on, as the weather gets warmer and NZ comes into its own over spring and summer!

THAT’S IT FOR TODAY!

Mansion House Bay, Kawau Island