"Salm Bytes"
...I live in Montana. I've learned a lot from my Crow, Blackfeet, Northern
Cheyenne, Flat Head and even Arapahoe friends over the years.
The Maoris I saw in New Zealand (I saw a Maori reggae band playing Bob
Marley songs on Waitangi day, in the park in Auckland) looked like old
friends. Next time I go to New Zealand I want so spend some time in
Rotorua.

My Great Great grandfather, after having been transported to Australia as a
convict became a gun runner selling guns to the Maoris during the land wars.
He met a girl from the tainui tribe but they forbid her having anything to
do with the bad bugger... but they ran off together and that is my Maori
heritage. I am surprised more of the guides here don't learn the meaning of
many of the Maori names as they can be pretty interesting. In Hawkes Bay
there is the Tutaikuri River. Kuri = Dog and Tutai = Feaces... I think we've
all spent a day on that stream at some point. Similarly my father once had a
horse called KaiKuri... Kai = Food Kuri = Dog... not a nice name for a
horse.

If you get to the Rotorua area (A bit too "plastic touristy" for me) put
Taupo on your list and make contact.. I'll show you some great Kihikihi
fishing (BTW, I didn't know that was the Maori name so we all learn from
each other.) It's also a township name in the Waikato region.

regards

Clark Reid