Excerpt from the 1966 Tudorian
In December, a party of 23 Tudor House boys, two of the boys’ sisters and six adults set out on a seven-day tour of New Zealand’s North Island, arranged by Trans Tasman Tours in conjunction with QANTAS.
There was much excitement as the party assembled at QANTAS House and misgivings at the news that our flight was to be delayed by four hours, but the boys made the most of the unexpected time at Mascot airport, watching the busy comings and goings and meeting National Servicemen travelling to Vietnam. Eventually, the party boarded their DC8 and set off across the Tasman, with many experiencing a jet aeroplane for the first time. Arriving in Auckland that evening, they were met by their driver and guide, Mr Jack Venn, who would accompany them throughout the tour.
The first day took the group through the fertile countryside around Hamilton and into the limestone country of Otorohanga and Waitomo. At the famous Waitomo Caves, the boys travelled by punt along the underground river, looking up at the millions of glow worms hanging from the cavern roof. From there, they continued to Rotorua, where the unmistakable sulphur smell announced their arrival. The evening included a Maori concert, which proved a memorable introduction to the region’s culture.
Wednesday was one of the busiest days of the tour. The group visited Rainbow Trout Springs and a Maori village before taking a launch across Lake Rotorua to Mokoia Island, famous for the legend of Princess Hinemoa. They explored the island’s hot pools before travelling through the forests to Green Lake and then on to Waiotapu Wonderland, with its boiling mud pools, steaming sulphur pits and colourful silica terraces. The day concluded at Wairakei, where 50 steam bores were being harnessed to generate electricity, followed by a visit to the spectacular Huka Falls and a swim in Taupo’s heated mineral pool.
The following day took the party around Lake Taupo, across the Desert Road and towards Wellington. Along the way they viewed the snow-covered peaks of Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe and visited the reception centre for the Tongariro Power Scheme. In Wellington, the boys saw the city from Mount Victoria and enjoyed a ride on the famous cable car.
Friday included a visit to New Zealand’s Parliament, where the group saw the Maori meeting room and the Treaty of Waitangi displayed prominently. They also visited the original Parliament House before travelling north through Foxton, where they saw a flax mill and wool pack and textile factory, eventually reaching Wanganui.
The longest road journey came on Saturday as the group returned to Auckland through some of the North Island’s rugged countryside. At Te Kuiti, the boys presented Mr Venn with a book on Tudor House and two boomerangs in appreciation of his care and companionship throughout the journey. Their final evening included a visit to Mount Eden, where they explored the crater of one of Auckland’s extinct volcanoes.
After one final delay to their flight, the party returned to Mascot on Sunday, tired but happy. The tour had offered the boys an unforgettable glimpse of New Zealand’s landscapes, culture and people, with memories that would remain long after their return to Tudor House.