Matariki at Foxton

We spent the weekend with the Caravan Club at the Manawatu Caravan Club grounds at Foxton.  But before we started on our journey Robin had to take the caravan down to Gypsy’s for a small job.  Our Dometic three way fridge was part of a recall and needed looking at, where they replaced part of the 12 volt power loom.  Luckily it didn’t take too long at all and we were on our way later in the morning.

Club members trickled in during the day, and in the evening we went down town to view the light show celebrating Matariki, the Maori New Year.  There are many legends about the star cluster Matariki. One of the most popular is that the star Matariki is the whaea (mother), surrounded by her six daughters. Matariki and her daughters journey across the sky each year to visit Papatūānuku, their earth mother.  During this visit, each of the stars help Papatūānuku to prepare for the year to come, and  they also learn new skills and gain new knowledge from her, which they guard and pass on to others.  The reappearance of the Matariki stars signals the beginning of the Māori New Year.  Matariki has different names around the world, it is also known by its ancient Greek name, Pleiades or the Seven Sisters.

Crowds gathered in the courtyard surrounding the Dutch windmill, lit up with ever changing colours.   We found some seats and sat and watched, thankful that we had our winter coats on during the chilly evening.  There was also a slide show playing on the large windows of the museum, showing scenes of the early days of Foxton.  The food trucks were doing a roaring trade, and we indulged in some tasty donuts covered in cinnamon and sugar, so warm and tasty.  Then on the way back to camp we bought some fish and chips, guess it was a matter of eating our pudding first that night!

De Molen Windmill

The Rally Captains had organised a busy afternoon for us all the following day, we met at the the local museum, “Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom” for a guided tour.  This museum is a collaboration between the Maori people, the Dutch immigrants and the Council, and is the only facility in the country which has info boards in three languages, Maori, Dutch and English, we were told.  Part of the displays feature early Maori life, and there are remains of aa hand carved waka (boat) on display.  The waka is a rare survival from the 19th century, and was found after been buried for many decades in the bed of Lake Tangimate.

In the Maori exhibits

Foxton was a thriving town in the early years.  With flax growing naturally it was harvested and made into rope, sacking and mats.  Prior to the Europeans settling, the local Maori people used the bounty of flax to make all sorts of items for daily use, including baskets and sleeping mats.  The river (now silted up) ran through the town and was a hive of activity with ships coming and going.

Flax harvesters

Our guide then took us around to the Dutch area of the museum.  The Dutch explorer Abel Tasman is officially recognised as the first European to 'discover' New Zealand in 1642. Nazi Germany overran the Netherlands during WW11, nd the country and civilians were devastated.  At the end of the war housing was poor, the economy in tatters, and people left in droves for a fresh start, mainly settling in Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Bombed to pieces

The Dutch immigrants soon settled in to Kiwi life, but it must have been difficult to leave their homeland, learn a new language, and build a new life.  Many have made great contributions here, including “Bug Man” Ruud Kleinpaste.  And how many Wellingtonians visited Suzy’s Coffee Shop in Willis Street. which opened in the 60s.  Suzy van de Kwast  arrived here as an assisted immigrant,  and was amazed at how few cafés there were to serve the growing population.  The food differed from most available in Wellington at the time. There was a salad bar where customers could serve themselves, as well as delicacies such as crayfish rolls. Suzy's attracted a wide variety of customers including office workers, students, politicians, businessmen and local characters, while cleaners and taxi-drivers often appeared in the evenings.

Bikes are a feature of life in the Netherlands, and during our visit there we were told that the canals are consisted of a layer of mud, a layer of bicycles and the water on top!

An assortment of bikes on display

Dutch settlers brought many furnishings with them to make them feel at home

After an evening  meal out at the Loop Restaurant, formerly the RSA, the rain came down and the strong  wind buffeted the vans all night.  We would just nod off and then, shake rattle and roll, more gusts hit us, it was not a pleasant night at all.  The ground was sodden as we packed up after morning tea and headed for home.  Many thanks to Murray and Sue of planning a great weekend for us all.

A soggy Sunday morning