Tag Archives: history

Browsing Historic Topo Maps with MapsPast

Posted on 20 May, 2015 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

If you like topo maps, and especially trawling through historic topo maps of New Zealand, then check out the new MapsPast website, thrown together by Matt Briggs. Maps are great. For me, looking at maps and understanding what’s around is … Continue reading →

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Tramping – A New Zealand History, by Shaun Barnett and Chris Maclean (my thoughts)

Posted on 17 March, 2015 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Until now there’s been a major omission in publications about tramping. So far all we’ve seen are route guides, narratives or yarns, tourism guides, diaries, local histories, blogs and other websites, biographies and autobiographies, newspaper articles, safety manuals, fiction, club … Continue reading →

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NZ Tramping History released

Posted on 20 October, 2014 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Last year I wrote about the upcoming publication of a new Tramping History book, researched and authored by Shaun Barnett and Chris Maclean. The book finally had its launch last week, and is now available. I’m waiting for my copy … Continue reading →

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The Downs and Ups and Downs of Kime Hut

Posted on 6 March, 2014 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

I’m unsure what to make of the latest happenings surrounding Kime Hut. This Saturday the TTC had been planning to host its own “opening ceremony” at the hut. If you haven’t heard, however, the TTC has been forced to abandon … Continue reading →

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NZ Tramping History in the works

Posted on 7 September, 2013 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

There are several good-looking books on my reading list right now. To add to it, last week I attended a seminar, by Chris Maclean and Shaun Barnett, who spoke about their upcoming book titled Tramping, a New Zealand History. The … Continue reading →

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A Crossing to Remember: A Tararua Southern Crossing in 1920

Posted on 20 January, 2012 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Several days ago, I noted that it’s almost 100 years since the Southern Crossing Track was completed, which is pretty cool. This, however, was only the beginning of a significant tourism venture for both the Otaki and Wairarapa regions. At … Continue reading →

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Tararua Southern Crossing Track Centenary, March 2012

Posted on 15 January, 2012 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

March of 2012 will be a quiet 100th anniversary in the Tararuas, in a sense. It might as easily be very windy and rainy. This March, if you’re attempting a Tararua Southern Crossing, or maybe if you’re competing in the … Continue reading →

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Nostalgic Exposure (aka Such a Stupid Way To Die)

Posted on 25 August, 2011 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

I should have posted about this when it came out, but missed it at the time and have since not had a suitable excuse. I still don’t have one, so I’ll just post it anyway with the expectation that it … Continue reading →

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How the Cave Creek Accident shaped DoC

Posted on 26 April, 2011 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you might have noticed me comment occasionally about ways in which the NZ Department of Conservation’s safety policies influence an experience in the back-country. I refer to things such as asset numbers … Continue reading →

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FMC Bulletins now available online

Posted on 17 March, 2011 by Mike McGavinPrint This Post Print This Post

Something I meant to write about a few months back (but became distracted) is the recent achievement of Federated Mountain Clubs in managing to get all of its FMC bulletins online, and available for download, all the way back to … Continue reading →

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