Volume 19, No. 2

DECEMBER 2005

NEW ZEALAND IS TOP COUNTRY IN UK (News from Tourism New Zealand)

New Zealand has been voted the best country in the world for the first time ever at Conde Nast Traveller Awards 2005 in the UK.

New Zealand also took out the top overall prize, beating out winners of 23 other categories.

“The result is gratifying not just because of the win, but because the readers who voted for us are the sorts of people we are trying to attract to New Zealand. This is further evidence of the benefits of the strong and positive working relationship between the government and the wider sector in building New Zealand’s reputation as a high quality visitor destination,” said Tourism Minister Mark Burton. “Conde Nast Traveller readers are affluent, upwardly mobile professionals, and most importantly are very interested in travel. This really is an amazing result.

“New Zealand frequently features high in Conde Nast Traveller reader’s preferences—often coming second and third in the prestigious awards, but this is the first time that we have won,” Mark Burton said.

Thirty thousand Conde Nast Traveller readers voted for their favourite holiday destination in a questionnaire published earlier this year.

Readers graded their chosen country in 10 separate categories. These included climate, culture, food and scenery. With an overall rating of 97.33 (out of a possible 100), New Zealand beat Thailand, Australia and Italy to take the top country spot.

New Zealand received top marks for scenery (99), environmental friendliness (98.87) and safety (97).

Visitor arrivals from the UK for year ended July 2005 were 308,000, an increase of over 10 per cent from 2004.

BIGGEST WIND FARM GETS THE GO-AHEAD

(Fairfax New Zealand Ltd)

New Zealand’s biggest wind farm is to go ahead in Hawke’s Bay.

The 75-turbine Hawke’s Bay Wind Farm was approved by Hastings District Council recently.

Unless an Environment Court appeal halts proceedings, the developers hope to begin work this summer.

Concerns about the $350 million project’s impact on the landscape at Maungaharuru Range north of Napier were raised by members of the council’s hearings committee.

But New Zealand’s need for renewable energy paved the way for a unanimous vote of approval after two hours of debate.

The 225 megawatts project and its towering 125-metre turbines will sit next door to Unison’s already approved $90 million 16-turbine wind farm near Te Pohue.

Unison plans to lodge new plans for 30 more turbines nearby shortly.

Hawke’s Bay Wind Farm spokesman Alistair Wilson said the council had followed a rigorous and proper process in approving the development.

The wind farm would generate enough power to supply 100,000 homes. “The country is short of energy and it needs to make the best use of its resources,” Mr. Wilson said.

In justifying the benefits of the project, Farmer Lloyd Holloway said, “I honestly believe the benefits for the wider community and ourselves far outweigh any (perceived) problems.

“It is non-polIuting and we all like to turn the light switch on.”

AUCKLAND COUNCIL TARGETS HOMELESS

(XTRAMSN)

Auckland's estimated 300 homeless may eventually get the benefit of a mobile outreach programme with health, counseling, drug and alcohol services.

The project is one of the ways Auckland City Council is hoping to address the gaps in services for people living on the streets.

Its action plan also includes training for council staff, particularly ambassadors and park workers, on how to deal with homeless people and refer them to help.

The council has set aside $135,000 to fund the homeless action plan over the next three years.

DUTCH TO MAORI HEAD TO NZ

(Associated Press)

The Dutch Ministry of Culture said recently it will return a tattooed and mummified 19th century Maori head to New Zealand.

The artifact has been in the Netherlands for more than 150 years, where it belonged to the royal collection of Dutch King William I and later was displayed at the natural history museum in Leiden.

The head will be sent to the Te Papa Museum in Wellington, NZ, Dutch Junior Culture Minister Medy van der Laan said in a statement.

Nine other Maori heads were returned to New Zealand earlier this year from museums in Britain.

The repatriation is important for "the collective memory of the Maoris and the Netherlands," the statement said. "It gives them a chance to regain their identity and confirm the value of their culture."

It is the first time a Dutch museum has returned human-remains to their country of origin.

NEW ZEALAND WINES

(Annual report)

The New Zealand Winegrowers and all New Zealand winemakers and grape growers welcome you to the exciting world of New Zealand wine. Enjoy.

New Zealand has long been famed for its stunning, unspoiled landscape. Equal to the international acclaim for its beauty is that for its fine wines. Climate, geography and human skill have combined to produce highly distinctive, premium quality wines, which are "the riches of a clean, green land."

International acclaim: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is rated throughout the world as the definitive benchmark style for this varietal. The growing recognition for New Zealand Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Methode Traditionelle sparkling wines, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blends is helping to further cement New Zealand's position as a producer of world class wines.

Diverse styles: New Zealand is a country of contrasts with dense, native forest, snow-capped mountains and spectacular coastline. With wine growing regions spanning the latitudes of 36 to 45 degrees and covering the length of 1000 miles (1,600km), grapes are grown in a vast range of climates and soil types, producing a diverse array of styles. The northern hemisphere equivalent would run from Bordeaux (between the latitudes of 44 and 46 degrees) down to southern Spain.

Temperate maritime climate: New Zealand's temperate, maritime climate has a strong influence on the country's predominantly coastal vineyards. The vines are warmed by strong, clear sunlight during the day and cooled at night by sea breezes. The long, slow ripening period helps to retain the vibrant varietal flavours that make New Zealand wine so distinctive.

Food friendly wines: New Zealand cuisine draws inspiration from the traditional kitchens of France and Italy, as well as the exotic dishes of Asia and the Pacific Rim. Wine styles have evolved to compliment this extensive menu. There are bright and zesty wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling for fresh and subtly spiced dishes, while complex, mellow Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blends and Pinot Noir offer a timeless marriage with the classical dishes of Europe.

Ensuring the future: New Zealand's small population, distant location and agricultural economy have earned the country a "clean, green" image. Visitors often describe it as "an unspoiled paradise". New Zealand's winemakers and grape growers are determined to keep it this way. Innovative practices in the vineyard and winery which deliver quality in a sustainable and environmental manner, ensure that New Zealand meets a growing world demand for wines that have been produced in a "clean and green" fashion.

From WYSIWYG NEWS by Brian Harmer

(Copyright by Brian Harmer, reprinted by permission)

Officially, spring is here. Fine in theory, but in practice, the weather is as unpredictable as ever,

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switching from grey overcast to bright sun and back again in the space of just a few hours. The general trend is good, though.

One day recently, during a fine spell, I had occasion to walk from the university to downtown Willis Street to have lunch with a friend. It's quite a while since I walked down Allenby Terrace, which is one of those narrow alleyways with myriad flights of steep steps and intriguing sightlines across normally hidden parts of the city. It drops down from the Terrace just below Salamanca Rd, in the direction of Boulcott Street. Underfoot, the asphalt pathway is a bit crumbly in places, and some of the concrete steps are a bit worn. Old trees with mossy trunks, and fences in various states of decay, lend some privacy to those who live in the old houses on either side of the path. Painted wooden handrails in some of the steeper places do not inspire confidence, though there are galvanized pipe rails in other parts.

Two young men carrying on their heads a bed and a mattress respectively, were plodding up the steps making what was obviously to be the first of many trips moving furniture into a flat. They just could not get a vehicle any closer to the house. Picturesque environments are one thing, furniture removals of an alpine character are entirely another.

The last flight of steps does a zigzag around a commercial building and drops onto O'Reily Street, named for the Franciscan priest, Jeremiah O'Reily who in 1843 started the first Catholic parish in Wel lington on the corner of the street now named after him, and Boulcott Street.

Two grand old ladies provide a touch of architectural distinction on the lower part of Boulcott Street. One is St Mary of the Angels. This striking church was designed by Frederick de Jersey Clere (who was also responsible for St Andrews on the Terrace) and completed in 1922, to replace the earlier one destroyed by fire in 1918. Although it looks to be made of more elegant materials, it is in fact constructed of reinforced concrete. It has recently undergone a considerable facelift and seismic strengthening, and all its surfaces seem clean and bright.

Just down the hill, on the intersection with Willis St, is what was once the Hotel St George. When I first came to Wellington, "the George"was, together with the Midland, the Grand, and the Waterloo hotels, a very upmarket place. I remember them all with some affection, having stayed in each of them on one or more occasions.

The George has fallen on hard times, though not so much as the Grand and the Mid, both of which were demolished some years ago. The space where the somewhat quirky Midland hotel once stood, is now "Midland Park", an open space in front of yet another modern Tower block on Lambton Quay. I suppose the advent of the newer tower block hotels, beginning slowly in the 80s with the James Cook, and the Town House marked the start of the decline of the old timers, and the newer Duxton and the Intercontinental would certainly mark the end.

Dining in those hotels was an experience of a different world, For some reason, fur coats, duck a l'orange, crayfish mornay, port and Grand Marnier come to mind when I recall the elegant silver service dining room of the George. And in those far off days when public bars closed at 6 pm, I remember that the lounge was always a busy place where those who in tended to dine or were guests in the house, could get a drink after closing time. The plush armchairs were always full, and there was always lots of noise, a cocktail piano and laughter.

The George was where the Beatles stayed when they came to Wellington in their 1966 tour. It had some lively and popular public and lounge bars at street level. More recently, the building has served as a backpacker hostel, and latterly as a student hostel, Alarmingly, I saw large trucks belonging to a demolition company in the tiny car park in the rear. Workers were passing shattered wall lining material and other waste out onto the waiting trucks. Is this the end of the line for a stately old lady, or is it merely the start of a makeover and a new life as an apartment block?

ALL BLACKS VS WALES 11/05/05

By Stephen Mangum

New Zealand's All Blacks opened their historic Grand Slam Tour of the home unions with a convincing 41-3 win over host Wales at Cardiff. The Welshmen contested the visitors gamely but were simply overwhelmed by the team currently rated tops in the world.

The atmosphere was electric as the Tri Nations winner jogged onto the pitch with the 2005 Six Nations champions of Europe. The buildup con tinued through the inimitable Welsh pre-game singing and the New Zealand team doing the haka. Finally it was time for the most anticipated matchup in the rugby world this year.

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The All Blacks opened the scoring with two penalty kicks by Daniel Carter. Rico Gear then ran in the first try of the game. Carter converted. Wales scored a penalty kick by Stephen Jones making the score 13-3 at halftime.

Early in the second half Gear broke the game open with his second try. Carter converted again. Later Gear blasted in again for his third try off a long series of passes and decoy maneuvers. Carter converted again.

The game Welsh fought on but couldn't stop the All Blacks. New Zealand's defensive play was awesome with only the one penalty kick allowed. Carter topped off the match with two converted tries of his own.

Man of the Match was All Blacks lock Chris Jack. Other top performers were Gear, Carter, Mils Muliaina and Carl Hayman on the front row.

After the match All Blacks captain Tana Umaga ominously reminded future tour opponents that his boys had made some mistakes in the match and would "keep working on the things that we know we can do better."

In other matches the same day, France defeated Australia 26-16 at Marseilles, and South Africa topped Argentina 34-23 at Buenos Aires. It was the sixth consecutive test loss for the Wallabies. Aussie captain George Gregan set an all-time record by playing in his 115th international test match.

Kiwiphiles: Until next time, play on!!

ALL BLACKS BURY WALES IN CARDIFF

Locals fail to fathom New Zealand's tempo

(www.planet-rugby.com)

Step one of 'Operation Grand Slam' is a complete success. AB wing Rico Gear ran in a hat- trick of tries as New Zealand recorded an emphatic 41-5 victory at the Millennium Stadium-a record home defeat for the locals.

But Wales won the singing and they defused the haka by putting it in the midst of the singing.

After a beautiful rendition of 'God Defend New Zealand' the All Blacks did the haka. But Wales were determined to have the last word-and they had it with Catherine Jenkins leading 'Land of My Fathers' while a flag-bearer hung from the ceiling of the closed Millenium Stadium. They followed that up with an operatic 'Bread of Heaven'. Unusually, the sides faced each other for the singing.

The history, myths and legends of 100 years of rugby came together. The scene was set for a great celebration. In the end the celebrating belonged to the All Blacks because the promise of a contest

fizzled and only the visitors dazzled.

Wales were brave, remarkably brave and resilient, but New Zealand put together a combination of composed efficiency and composed flair based on clever support and smooth handling.

THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD 2006 RAIL TRIPS AROUND NEW ZEALAND

The New Zealand Herald is involved in some forthcoming NZ rail tours that might be of interest to some of you. The shortest trip is a two-day January trip from Auckland to Kinleith and Rotorua, staying at the Geyserland Hotel, which is next to the Whakare warewa Maori Village and hot springs. The second day returns to Auckland via Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Katikati and the Kaimai tunnel, all for about $NZ400. For details: travek@skytrain.co.nz

More Adventures:

7th-16th April 2006 -10 days with 9 nights around the North Island. Remember the days when rail was King - the platform stampede and the tough horsehair-filled seats . . . this journey showcases these changes and ensures you relax in comfort with the camaraderie of fellow passengers - all making opportunity for recollections and meeting new friends.

1st - 15th October 2006 - 15 days with 14 nights around the South Island. It is impossible to travel the whole way by train, but the rail to road connections add interest. The heritage of early British and Scottish settlers has proudly been preserved, and meals reflect the influence of those Southern men.

There will be more exciting rail adventures to come! The New Zealand Herald rail trips are planned and coordinated by John Ward, an enthusiastic veteran of rail travel - his humour and amusing tales provide the backdrop for these informative and fun adventures.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Running a business can be, at the best of times, a difficult thing. Running a family business is a whole different story. But what about two families, the same business, over three generations. Surely, a recipe for disaster? Not so, in the case of the Agrodome.

Agrodome, just north of Rotorua, is one of this country's most well-known tourism operations. It began in 1970 when Godfrey Bowen MBE (world famous sheep shearer) and George Harford MBE (beef and dairy farmer) teamed up to give visitors a real hands-on, live experience of farming. Today

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it's managed by their sons, Paul Bowen and Warren Harford, and is proving employment for a third generation.

Perseverance, passion and a unique partnership has seen the business survive fire (which completely destroyed the first Agrodome building in 1980) and an ever-changing tourism market. It has metamorphosed from a straight sheep shearing farm centre to a tourism operation that includes farm tours, adventure activities (zorb, bungy and swing, jet boating) a woollen mill, chocolate factory and horti cultural centre.

But what would their fathers think? "Well," explains Warren, "they were both visionary men. They knew about the need to move with the times, and about having to grow and expand."

While Paul Bowen's children have, at various times, been employed at the Agrodome, four of the five Harford children are on the payroll today. Twenty-one year old Dale is the first of the third generation to take over the management reins, running the Horticultural Centre.

Working for the family business was a natural step for Dale as he has lived and breathed the business since he can remember, "While most of the memories are great," he says "like following Dad around on farm tours and being up on stage with the shearing. I do remember having to mow the lawns every weekend while my mates were out playing. It would take the entire day!"

But the hard graft has been worth it and 'like father, like son', Dale has big ideas on the future of Agrodome. "Obviously I see the Horticultural Centre developing further into organics, and things like bottling our own olive oil from the Olive grove. I think the adventure side will also continue to grow."

Fathers Warren Harford and Paul Bowen have planning for the future well in hand. They've been extending the green belt round the 160 hectare property so their children have room to grow the business. "The future is limitless," says Warren. "I can see us expanding the existing buildings, developing farm stays and group stays and continually adding value."

While there have been many offers to sell the business over the years, the Harfords and Bowens intend keeping it all in the family. "We have no intention of selling or publicly listing. We're success ful because of our hands-on ownership and the fact we are incredibly passionate about what we do."

But more importantly, he adds, is the partner ship of the two families. 'Paul and I have absolute trust and support in each other. It is a unique relation-

ship and one we hope to maintain for many generations to come.

WHITE ISLAND

Just over fifty km offshore from Whakatane, White Island was named by Cook, who first saw its white steam in 1769. Its highest point, Mount Gisborne, is a modest 321 metres above sea level. The crater floor of the volcano is mostly just above the high tide mark.

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the Island is not without its hazards. Licensed operators take visitors to the island and provide hard hats, masks and the supervision necessary when ven turing this close to the breath and pulse of the earth.

Some operators:

Pee Jay Charters Ltd.,

info@whiteisland.co.nz

White Island Adventures,

wh.is.adventures@worldnet.co.nz

Helipro,

tim@helipro.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND TRAVELERS

Non-touristy Walking/Nature Tours

For our 20th season, New Zealand Travelers continues to offer non-commercial, non-touristy, tasteful, small-group tours for discerning, nature- loving walkers. You will enjoy beautiful accommodations, fine cuisine served by candlelight, and the leadership of university-educated host Alan Riegelman, who founded NZT in 1986.

Founder/Director Alan Riegelman traveled from Vermont to the South Island in 1984 to fish for trout, and then spent an entire year roaming and back packing in the backcountry before becoming a NZ citizen and founding NZT. Right from the start, he determined that NZT tours should be like family out ings to off-the-beaten path locations and not simply unimaginative coach tours to the same old, tired tourist attractions. For example, among other places, we'll take you to our secret penguin bay, and we'll introduce you to some of our NZ friends.

Both Alan and head leader Jo Kemp are pro fessional cooks, and they prepare most evening meals. NZT menus feature fresh fish, rack of lamb, thick steaks, and the South Island's fantastic fresh veggies. Your first NZT dinner is at Alan's beautiful home on the Teal River in Nelson, where you can walk through the gardens and feed the trout. We stay in B&Bs and beach-front motels, most of which have hosted NZT groups for many years. For three nights we have an entire ski lodge to ourselves, hot tub and all.

We at NZT are all New Zealand citizens, and we do only New Zealand tours, unlike US tour companies with a long list of destinations and American guides.

Ask for a brochure! Call us at 800-362-2718 or contact us at: info@nztravelers.com

Let us send you a dayhiker's journal on DVD. One of our gracious dayhiker customers, Chris, has

sent us a 40-min. DVD that she made of our 16-day tour last March. Contact us for your copy (800-362-2718). (Editor: My late husband and I met Alan in the early 1980s and were graciously hosted in his charming home. I'll never forget him and his work.)

THE SPLENDOUR OF MARLBOROUGH

from North & South, by Max Lambert

My wife and I have a love affair with the Marlborough Sounds-home to around 8500 New Zealanders scattered along and near 10 per cent of New Zealand's coastline.

Even in the "populous" Portage area where we live, the quiet is intense; little disturbs the song of belibirds and tuis, the shriek of wekas; it feels criminal to start the motor mower.

The Sounds' atmosphere gets into your blood. So does the weather. Summer and autumn are hot and dry but always cool at night. Winter is magical. Day after day the sky is blue and Kenepuru's surface unruffled.

Richard Wills, the RD 2 Picton contractor, brings the mail and The Dominion at 11am five days a week. He'll fetch anything from onion plants to videos and always has a spare Lotto ticket. Unlike town posties he'll buy stamps for outgoing letters. It's worth every cent of the controversial $8ONZ Post charge to keep Richard.

TNL Freighting sends a truck around Kenepuru once a week. It delivers the big stuff- timber, cement, fence posts. We trek out to Blenheim every three or four weeks for groceries.

The Sounds sometimes seems like a page from the past. Only in recent decades has much of the area emerged into the 20th century. Roads didn't arrive until the 1950s and 1960s; the power came later. Some remote spots are still without electricity. Boats are vital. The water-taxi business thrives and water-borne mail runs are essential.

(Max Lambert is a Marlborough Sounds freelance writer.)

LETTERBOX

Greetings from Nelson, New Zealand

We send you our best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving, celebrated with family and friends. We hope you have the opportunity to kick back, have fun and eat plenty of pumpkin pie. Down here at Latitude 41 degrees south, no one knows about pumpkin pie, and it is just another work day, but our family for one, will be cooking up a turkey and toasting Squanto tonight.

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Although the USA is over 7000 miles away, it is a most popular holiday destination for New Zealanders. We go to see the big city lights and the great open spaces, but it is the American people we remember: Your hospitality, helpfulness and warmth.

Happy Thanksgiving! You deserve it.

Miranda, Ben, Julia and The Team

At New Zealand Nature

Hi Eva - Just thought you might want to know that in October New Zealand Post released five stamps with actors' images from Peter Jackson's King Kong, including Kong, of course. In addition to the individual stamps, there are sheets, miniature sheets, first day covers, pre-paid souvenir cards and special bubble bags and strong boxes. Details with images can be found at: https://secure.nzpost.co.nz

Also, there is a new bi-monthly magazine out that is a high-gloss 130 pages aimed at the "comfortable" U.S. market. In other words, this is not a magazine aimed at the backpacker crowd. It is "New Zealand Magazine" with Auckland offices, but distribution in L.A. One can request a free copy to be mailed to any U.S. address, without requiring a subscription. It really is a rather nice mag with lots of great photos and a number of interesting articles, Website: http://www.nzmag.com

Also, the first authorized Peter Jackson bio has come out, but not in the U.S. "Peter Jackson: A Film-maker's Journey", by Brian Sibley, was to be released November 7 in Canada, UK, various European countries, Australia and New Zealand.

Charles Eggen, Oregon

BOOKS

(from NEXT)

"Love in Aotearoa" by Karen McMillan

Under the four headings of friendship, family love, love of humanity and romance, the author has captured the essence of the many forms love takes. In this special little gift book, New Zealanders from all walks of life share their poignant stories, views and moments of love, and these are interspersed with various quotations. It certainly celebrates the fact that love is all around us and all you need is...love, aroha, alofa. (Random House)

MARMITE-LOVING CAT ADOPTED

The cat that made national headlines after its unusual rescue from a tree has been given a new home by its rescuer.

The stubborn cat annoyed Napier residents after it loudly meowed off-key for a week while it was stuck up a palm tree. Attempts by both the SPCA and the fire brigade to rescue the distressed feline all failed.

When a radio station offered $400 to get the cat down, local painter Jamie Green put up a ladder and coaxed it down with a marmite sandwich.

The cat spent the weekend with some of the residents it had been bugging, but after nobody came to claim it, Mr. Green and his girlfriend decided to adopt.

They've named it Marmite.

SPANS OF TIME (from Mountain Scene)

Bridges. Where would Queenstown be without them? Fancy ferrying your horse and cart over the Kawarau or Shotover Rivers. When settlers first moved to the region they were faced with such challenges daily, resulting in some outstanding and historic bridges, including the Kawarau Falls Bridge, Edith Cavell Bridge, and the Kawarau and Skippers suspension bridges.

The suspension bridge of 1880 spanning the Kawarau Gorge was the first major bridge in the Wakatipu.

Before it was built, the only way across the rapid waters of the gorge was by ferry-either at Edwards Ferry, about where Victoria Bridge landfill is, or at Morven Ferry near Arrow Junction.

But the ferries were vulnerable to the Kawarau River's swift waters and moods and couldn't cany a horse and coach together, making crossing a laborious and sometimes dangerous exercise.

In 1874, the provincial government built Victoria Bridge at Edwards Ferry and only four years later decided to embark on a second crossing-the Kawarau Bridge, built from local schist and timber and considered the finest example of a suspension bridge in New Zealand at the time.

A grand party celebrated its opening on December 30, 1880. A brass band set the atmosphere as invited dignitaries and any miners who were dressed respectably sat down to enjoy a banquet provided by Eichardt's Hotel.

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The bridge served its purpose for 83 years until the current one replaced it in 1963. The graceful old suspension bridge was left to the elements and faced demolition until 1988, when AJ Hackett Bungy took up a 30-day lease from the Department of Conservation to test the market for their new adventure sensation.

The old bridge became the first commercial bungy site in the world and its future is now assured.

OTAGO FARMERS MARKET, DUNEDIN

A big success story takes place every Saturday in Dunedin at the beautiful railway station, a popular tourist stop.

More than 40 stalls at the Farmers' Market offer a diversity of products-among which are the well-known fruits of the verdant central Otago region. One can arrive early, before 8 am, to get the pick of the produce. Often 2,500 (sometimes more) people come that one day to buy, so an early arrival pays off.

Here are some of the items you will see: the seasonal fruit, most of it perfect; fish stalls; bread stalls (brioche, baguettes); cheeses; vegetarian meals; French crepes; gourmet pies, both sweet and savoury; local honey; quail eggs; good cups of coffee. The market's vegetable stalls are busy, with much to choose from. Should you be doing your own meals as you tour the country, this market is a great place to stop.

SOUTH ISLAND'S FIRST WHALER

(from Reader's Digest GUIDE TO NEW ZEALAND)

Kakapo Bay is the burial place of John Guard, South Island's first whaler, and his wife Elizabeth. The family homestead, built by their descendants in the eighteen-eighties, stands opposite the cemetery where they lie.

Guard shipped the first consignment of New Zealand whale oil to Sydney, Australia, from Port Underwood on February 3, 1830, but his first whaling station was actually at Te Awaiti, further north on the Tory Channel. The Port Underwood station was founded the following year. Guard's wife, whom he married in Sydney, was the first white woman to live in the South Island. Their son and daughter, John and Louisa, were its first native-born white children.

Although Guard had a sharp eye for whales and was the first to notice the presence of large numbers of the baleen species in Cook Strait. he was dogged by ill-fortune and bizarre adventure. His first ship was wrecked, then subsequently pillaged and burnt by Maoris at Waikanae Beach in 1833. He then acquired a share in another which was wrecked a year later off Cape Egmont. Guard, his wife, children and crew were captured. A dozen of the crew were killed and eaten, but Guard was set free to ransom the rest. Some months later, HMS Alligator was sent to the rescue from Sydney. When the hostages were released the ship's guns were turned in revenge on the hundred or so Maoris on the beach. Questions were asked in Parliament in London.

Guard thought he had bought title deed to a huge area of land from Te Rauparaha, but the claim was never recognized and eventually lapsed. He did some piloting in the Marlborough Sounds, including the historic voyage of HMS Pelorus, and some maritime surveys for Colonel William Wakefield of the New Zealand Company. He also whaled for some years from Waipapa Bay, thirty-two kms north of Kaikoura. In the eighteen-forties, he retired from the sea and farmed at Kakapo Bay, where there are Guard descendants to this day.

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