New Zealand, 9-15-2017--Matai Bay to Raetae Forest (north end of North Island)

Starfish in the sand at Matai Bay, Karikari Peninsula

Unidentified marine organism in a tide pool at Matai Bay

Matai Bay at the north end of Karikari Penninsula

Unidentified plant at Matai Bay

Olives are among the many orchards we passed on the Karikari Peninsula 

Daisies alongside the road on the Karikari Penninsula

Another sign that we're entering the subtropical region of New Zealand as we head north.

Pearl sits in the gnarly roots of a kauri tree.

Maruka Wood, the kauri craftsman at Awanui.  His showroom was filled with all manner of bowls, furniture and sculpture carved from kauri wood.

Maruka shared this photo of a crew digging up a buried kauri log.  These logs have been buried for anywhere from 1800 to 45,000 years.  Also known as swamp karui, they've been preserved because they were buried in an anerobic state in salt marshes. Cutting live kauri trees is no longer permitted, so these buried karui have become quite valuable.  

Large scale vineyard being planted.  The wind screens are a testament to the NZ wind.

Norfolk pines are a frequent sight on the North Island.  They're endemic to Norfolk Island north of New Zealand.

An extensive clearcut on the narrow peninsula that makes up the northernmost 50 miles of the North Island. 

Looking west toward 90 Mile Beach, a misnomer as it's only a bit over 50 miles long. 

Cape Reinga at the north end of the North Island

The usual signs to everywhere, this time at Cape Reinga

Looking north from the lighthouse at Cape Reinga

The view south from Cape Reinga along the west coast