Most visitors are drawn to New Zealand by its natural splendors. The sub-tropical north includes beaches, high mountains, geothermal springs and forests. Comparable in size to Japan or the British Isles, two thirds of the country’s 4 million people live in the North Island, just over one million of those in Auckland, the country’s largest city and the world’s most populous Polynesian centre. New Zealand’s capital is Wellington, at the southernmost tip of the North Island.
It is one of the most isolated countries in the world. Maori, the first arrivals, called it Aotearoa, “the land of the long white cloud”, the first indication to these canoe voyagers of the presence of the islands being the cloud lying above them. The coastline provides both sheltered bays and harbors and superb beaches. The main focus of the rides coincides with the main draw to see New Zealand: its natural environment.
New Zealand horses are excellent sport horses and known worldwide for their athleticism. Horse racing is widespread and popular and New Zealand bloodstock is sought after worldwide. Second in popularity to the horses is the well respected wine making industry in New Zealand. It was not until the 1980s that the wine makers decided to concentrate on white wines which propelled the country’s reputation into the everyday conversation and to be recognized as some of the best in the world.
The area of your ride is located in a region rich in Maori history. The meeting houses and other Maori works of art seen along the coast reflect Maori history, belief in gods and ancestral spirits, and a social structure. The houses themselves are usually symbolic of a male trial ancestor. Riding through the countryside outside of Gisbourne, you will enjoy the horticulture and the diverse landscape that ranges from mountain trails that lead down through lush forests to open up to pristine beaches which invite long canters.
