Today we slept in and then went to the Domain park and the
Museum of Auckland.
The museum was great.
The building was originally built as a war memorial.
On the third floor is the memorial with names of Kiwis who died in several wars carved into stone blocks built into the wall of a hallway.
There is a large empty block upon which is engraved at the bottom, “LET THESE PANELS NEVER BE FILLED.”
I thought it was actually one of the best memorials I have been to – highly respectful but also moving.
You should also keep in mind that that kiwi contribution may not be huge in terms of numbers, but in percentage terms their men sent to the front and resulting casualties are probably comparable with or higher than the U.S. in the World Wars.
Afterwards we wandered through the Domain and climbed some excellent climbing trees.
Afterward we just explored up and down streets. Auckland is the product of a lot of volcanoes, and consequently Auckland is very hilly. There are really no flat streets except the several next to the harbor. We again found kebab and pizza to be a typical combination and found lots of Asian food.
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark on the right.
We passed the University of Auckland’s new business school building on our way back and saw a few (5-7) policeman and a small crowd (25 people or so) gathered in the courtyard. We went to go look and it turns out that the prime minister (Helen Clark) was about to arrive to dedicate the building. It was a reality check because we walked up and watched the PM get out of her car and enter the building from about 30 ft away. When we asked what the event was, a security guy told us and said we could go inside and watch the ceremony if we wanted.
There were also about 10 protestors with tape over their mouths and generic "free speech” signs waiting for her.
One sign said to “repeal the Electoral Finance Act.”
I asked a guy afterward what it was about and it turns out they were protesting the NZ equivalent of the McCain-Feingold law.
NZ’s Labour party has been in power for about a decade and recently pushed through a law that practically bans campaign ads during election years (i.e. one out of every three years).
I don’t know the details, but that was the way several people over several days described it.
The group was led by an older guy in a suit named John someone.
He saw my A&M shirt and said that he lived in
America for some time when he was young and that his first girlfriend went to A&M.
There were also about 10 protestors with tape over their mouths and generic "free speech” signs waiting for her. One sign said to “repeal the Electoral Finance Act.” I asked a guy afterward what it was about and it turns out they were protesting the NZ equivalent of the McCain-Feingold law. NZ’s Labour party has been in power for about a decade and recently pushed through a law that practically bans campaign ads during election years (i.e. one out of every three years). I don’t know the details, but that was the way several people over several days described it. The group was led by an older guy in a suit named John someone. He saw my A&M shirt and said that he lived in 
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