Auckland & Greater Region - New Zealand

[WackoJak 0]

Welcome to page 9!

2347? Wow. Lets have a Halo party when you get to year 2552 (that's when the game is based)! Or 2525 (the book).

Anyway, I can see through your ruse! Your showing us this to distract us from Huia!

*bursts out in tears*

I'm sorry! I just really wanna see some beautiful waterfalls and streams!

Lovely update though, and I'll see you later.

Jack

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Replies

Zel:  My present concern is that we have a credible threat from both....  the maaaaaaag maaaaaaa and the sub....   my advisors are all flashing red....  (not that I take much notice of them... especially that transport guy - he really has serious PUC.

Wacko:  This is a psuedo reply - the reply you make when you are not really replying....

abcvs:  ooohhh  nice pics! Can't wait for more! Keep it up....

Schulmanator:  Sorry to burst ya bubble but all that rock pretty much went on making Aucklands roads and concrete...

abcvs:  Sister E. Nema!  I wouldn't mess with her mate!

Jacky: *Blushes*

Cleaner475:  The obelisk is a "borrowed" Washington memorial but the RL One Tree Hill has one just like it...  only there is no tree on the summit anymore and no one can agree to plant another one.

Yep getting that motorway through was a challenge...  but the RL Auckland motorway pretty much wiggles and squiggles around and through everything as well so it is not far away from being realistic.

Not that this was meant to be a 100% 'realistic" recreation...

However as time goes on I am finding that I am trying harder to put things in the correct places etc...

Debs: Glad you like the background information...or history lesson... please sit up straight and stop passing notes at the back of the class.

*Looks over top of glasses*

Wacko:  Well done on starting page 9!  Cool banner ....  (Zel, please take note - sniff)

Ah yes Huia...   well I have to go and find that tutorial on making the steams and waterfalls....

Oh and here is a tissue for your issues!

Actually Richard, was that the same guy who was dressed up in the "SPAM" can in Lukes CJ?  He does get around!

The Huia

The huia was only found in New Zealand. There was something very special about the huia – the male and female birds had very different beaks. The male's beak was short and straight and the females beak was long and curved (can you tell which is the female and male huia?) The huia was very distinctive (easy to recognise) because of its beak, beautiful black feathers, the tail feathers tipped with white, and its bright orange wattle. The huia was related to the saddleback and the kokako, they are all wattle-birds (can you see the huia’s orange wattle?)

Extinction of the huia Fossils show that the huia could once be found throughout the North Island of New Zealand. When European settlers arrived in New Zealand the huia was found only in the lower half of the North Island, from East Cape to Wellington. This tells us that the number of huia was in decline before Europeans arrived in New Zealand.

How did the Maori impact on the huia? Domestic dogs and the Polynesian rat were both introduced to New Zealand by Maori. Huia chicks would have been killed by the Polynesian rat (kiore) and adult huia may have been killed by dogs. Maori also cleared areas of forest that would have previously been the home to many birds, including the huia. The huia was also considered ‘tapu’ or sacred by the Maori. To wear a huia tail feather or beak as ornamentation was a great honour, so huia were killed for their feathers and beaks.

Here comes the boat from Europe………… European settlers introduced more predators to New Zealand – more rats, stoats, dogs and cats. More forest was cleared for farming and towns, destroying the homes of New Zealand’s birds. But a big threat to the huia was hunting. Europeans wanted stuffed huia for their bird collections in museums and homes. Hundreds of huia were killed and shipped overseas to become exhibit pieces in museums and mansions. Sir Walter Buller, who had been brought up in New Zealand and became extremely knowledgeable about New Zealand birds, wrote the following story in 1867……

"We heard the soft flute-note of the huia in the wooded gully far beneath us. One of our native companions at once imitated the call, and in a few seconds a pair of beautiful huia, male and female, appeared in the branches near us. They remained gazing at us only for a few instants, and then started off up the hill, moving by a succession of hops, often along the ground, the male generally leading. Waiting until he could get both birds in a line, my friend at length pulled trigger…."

What a sad story. Huia were killed so they could be stuffed and put on display in a museum. If only the huia had been protected.
	Attempt to save the huia In the 1880’s Maori chiefs in the Manawatu and Wairarapa regions put a tapu on the huia, which meant that it was illegal under Maori law to kill huia. The Maori chiefs asked the Europeans to stop killing the huia as well. There were even some attempts made to transfer huia to island sanctuaries. Unfortunately these attempts were not successful.
For a short time the huia was protected - unfortunately the protection did not last for long... In 1902 the Duke of York (who became King George V) visited Rotorua and a local Maori man gave him a huia tail feather, which the Duke of York put on his hat. And since the ‘King-to-be’ had one, everyone else wanted a huia feather too! Rich and famous people around the world were willing to pay lots of money to have their own huia feather, so hunters began killing the huia again. The huia did not stand a chance of survival against this final hunt, as well as introduced predators and habitat loss. The huia became extinct. The last reliable sighting of a live huia was in 1907. However, there have been stories about people seeing huia up to the year 1920.

The only huia seen today are stuffed ones.
Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if people could have enjoyed the huia alive in the forest, rather than just stuffed in museums or as a feather in their cap? What a shame the huia cannot be admired or heard singing in the forests of New Zealand today.

Source:   http://www.kcc.org.nz/birds/extinct/huia.asp

[homeandaway 1]

i havent been lurking in Jackys CJ! lol!, i had a travel book in front of me, and saw a whole page pic of Milford Sound, in NZ, went on NZ and typed and pasted a pic to ere!.

Nixe work man!

[2ch.net simplayer 186]

Wow.... normally, building cities with lots of hills and valleys is difficult, but this one made it!

NZ as a part of "pacific ring of fire"...... be careful for volcanoes and earthquakes:-P

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

WATERFALLS AND STREAMS

My first ever attempt at streams and waterfalls... thanks to Dedgren and his 3RR CJ (page 9 onwards...)

Here goes nothing....

On the west coast the entrance to the Manukau Harbour leads to the Tasman Sea.  The Northern head is home to Huia.

My attempt at making a stream and waterfall will go on the eastern side of the Waitakere Ranges.

The beginnings of the stream bed made with road tiles.  I used the God Mode ctrl+shift+alt control for terraforming the valley.

Planning the first series of cascades.  .... heck what planning! I just did it!

View from the top looking down.

The stream bed after demolishing the road tiles.

The lower cascades.

The triple shute.

The upper cascades.

View from the top of the ridge down to sea level.

My only problem is that the water falls disappear on zoom 1 and 2....   ??  Anyone know why?

I would like to dedicate this update to WackoJak....

[Schulmanator 5,815]

Your waterfall is shaping up to be truly impressive!

Ummm... where's my update dedication?? [stews]

[jacqulina 162]

wonderfull waterfalls very nice first go you are getting good sweety,not sure why your losing view on zoom though thats weird.excellent step by step,beautifull work and pics my friend

[homeandaway 1]

now you are coping Jacky mate! - stunning terraforming!- nice work - cant wait to see more!

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Thanks guys!

Jacky's standard is what I aspire to ..... *head spin*

Bruce get a grip the boy was crying for heavens sake.

[octaves 4]

Impressive, Craig. 

Gotta love those waterfalls, so majestic...

Am I not the only one who noticed this: Auckand?  The main title says Auckand, not Auckland... 

Anyways, great stuff, I love what you've done.

-Brad

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Auckand - doh! ....thanks Brad!

[Amerikaner 42]

hey you finnaly figured out that it was auckand...i only pointed that out on like page 2 i think but whatever...whpeh... so yeah really good job on the waterfalls they look really good. EWW what is that guy wearing in the other update...quick get me some prada LOL jk FASHION POLICE TO THE RESCUE DUH DUH DUH lol

[Vandy 110]

Yo, Craigster!

I'm a bit behind on my replies and need to catch up.  So, here goes...

PAGE 8

Post 07/25/2007 08:59 AM

Pictures 1 and 2

I must say the motorway (is that a NZ name thingie?) looks quite nice winding its way towards downtown and hugging the waterfront.  It looks good.

Pictures 3 and 4

Night shots always add a different perspective and introduce a different element.  Besides which, they look good.

Mt. Wellington Pictures

Well!  This area certainly has developed nicely.  I do like the way you've taken care to keep Mt. Wellington as a viable natural element yet incorporating it into the surrounding development.  I muist say, though, that the road leading to and from the summit must really be one "hairy" drive!

PAGE 9

Post 07/26/2007 10:25 AM

All Pictures

WOW!  Let me say again.  WOW!  Craig, I am quite impressed with your creating this beautiful cascading waterway and falls.  It is very well done.  Also, thank you for the "how-to" steps.  I always enjoy viewing the mechanics behind creating the beauty.

Great work!

Until the next time and Regards,

Vandy

[Cleaner475 151]

great pics, mate love the waterfall

keep it up

Richard

[asturianu 4]

Hey, Craig! I saw those waterfalls while we were chatting, but I am still impressed. I love them and I think they are realistic, but I am a bit confussed about the problem with the zoom 1 and 2 dissapearing waterfalls effect. Annoying! But I love them anyways!

Great work so far

Cristian

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Replies:

abcvs: What is that "thing" that guy is wearing - honestly you are terrible!

homeandaway:  Yep that is a nice picture of Mitre Peak...  it is now my DT background...

2ch.net simplayer:  Well the funny thing was that when I first "terraformed" my region after playing for only 2 weeks and then later on started building on it for my CJ .... no one had told me before I started getting replies... that you were "supposed" to build on flat land.  I just got on with the tile that I had given myself and did it.   I guess it is a case of if you don't know that it is supposed to be hard, then it is easy ....  does that make sense?

Anyway welcome and please do call again...  

*Can you charge a door fee to these things... like a dollar or something?*

abcvs: Not bad for an amatuer, I guess...  you seem to be aspiring to the greatness of greater mortals such as the "Jackinator...!"  [sorry Jack that is Jacky .... BTW... but I still like you ... and please pick up all those tissues - you are making a mess and creating a bio-hazzard in my pristine tile...]

Schulmanator: Man you are a tetchy lot to please - next time... K?

Jacky: Hmmm will have to load the game tile again and see if shows up the zoom 1 and 2 waterfalls - that could get annoying...

homeandaway: Yes I admit it! I am shamelessly aspiring to the greatness of Jacky!  Learn from the best!

abcvs: Who are you and what are you doing in my CJ?  Don't lose ya head if it is spinning so much!

Brad:  *Still shakes head at "that" typo... but there you ahve it!"

abcvs:  Please be taking more care in future - you made me look like a dork!

Amerikaner:  You got the badge buddy .... now use it like you mean it!

Vandy:  Gonna have to keep up my friend - I have loaded terraforming tools and I aint afraid to use em..  *eyes up the earthquate fault rip button...cracks knuckles loudly*

Cleaner475:  Hey Richard your 1300th post for me!  Wow I am honoured!

asturianu:  Hi Cristian - yeah that is an annoying problem...  hope I will be able to solve that one!

@Zelgadis:  OK so you didn't post yet but I just gotta say, that particular rock mod works really well for the stream bed...  I added a few extra rocks but mostly it is just exposed rock from the terraforming. 

I would like to dedicate my stunning rock mod to Zelgadis... 

[Mikeaut1 261]

Beautiful waterfalls and scenery!! This is definitely a city journal to keep an eye on, excellent work!

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Yep I do replies and then there is always one more....

Mikeaut1: Thanks for stopping in and as they say at the corner dairy (that is convenience store to you non kiwi's..)

"Thank you very much - do call again, that will be §2.50!"

[Schulmanator 5,815]

WHAT??????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MORE dedications not to me?????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WackoJak 0]

Wow. It's all I have to say about that update.

Followed by a lengthly discussion on the origins of those waterfalls. Where did you get them? mine don't look a thing like that! Yours are beautiful!

And also in addendum (oooh. Archaic.) to vandy's statement, do you actually call them motorways up in auckland? We have highways in the deep south.

Wacko

Wootwootwootwootwoot! 100 posts!

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

A BONUS UPDATE - A PHOTO ESSAY OF MT WELLINGTON

In honour of my son being off school today with mild broncitis, we decided to take a drive up Mt Wellington...

Oh come on the wind was not blowing that much...  actually it was a bit warmer down in the crater...

Western face of Mount Wellington showing the collapsed crater rim and the old quarry in the foreground which is now being developed into a large residential park.

Panoramic view from the summit of Pakuranga - the water on the left is the Tamaki River, and the water in the centre is the tidal, Panmure Lagoon, the narrow inlet channel can just be seen on the left hand side.  

A double panoramic stitch shot of the crater.  Looking north westwards towards the city.

A peek over the collapsed rim, with the CBD in the background.

View looking northwards from the summit - the large retangular flat area is a water reservior partially built into the crater.

View into the crater standing on the lower collapsed rim.  [Not a great place to stand when it was erupting...]

The Panmure Lagoon - which connects by a small channel to the Tamaki River.  

Any guesses what it is?

Yep - another volcanic explosion crater that never made it into a mountain!

Auckland skyline in the distance - Mount Eden is on the left.

The remains of the worked out quarry.  Mixed industrial on the left.  My rock mod is not too far off...

It is amazing how sound travels - you could clearly hear the reversing alarms of the construction vehicles working below - just like in SC when you build a road!

Construction of new homes has started on the far edge of the quarry.

A peek of the summit loop road.  It drops away fairly steeply on the right hand side and that barrier would not really stop much...

Closer shot of the skyline..  to the right of the Skytower the next three tallest buildings are the ANZ tower which is currently being batted by Scotty, the Metropolis Apartments, and the Vero Tower, with the distinctive wedge on the roof.

 

Oooh that wouldn't be one of "those" Maxis foundations would it?

Construction of new houses on the far side of the Mt Wellington quarry.

I hope you enjoyed my son's day off school!

BTW we went to Burger King for lunch... he informed me for the first time ever that he is over kids meals... because the toys are not that great...  my 9 year old is getting all grown up...  *wipes tear from eye*

I would like to dedicate this photo essay to Amerikaner as he loves Auckland probably more than I do...

Who was that other guy that wanted a dedication....?  Forget his name - something to do with a cat and schoolman....  

I'm schure I'll (remember) man - just give it a whirl ...  d' you reckon I'lle remember?  Hmmm .... later nator.

[WackoJak 0]

My dad would never take me to Burger King, he hates it. He says the people who work there are drop-outs from McDonalds. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.

Anyway, please share your secrets! From where are the WATERFALLS!

[scotty222 549]

cool stuff those waterfalls and streams are looking amazing

when i try streams and stuff it looks awful (actually looks alot like burger king)

who could not like a kids meal

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Here are some of my plugins that I am using.

Dedgren's Ploppable Waterfalls:
https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/details.cfm?id=16394&v=1

Edmonton Mayor Mode Water Plop:
https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=16095

CP Ploppable Rocks Gray BSC by cycledogg:
https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=17006

PEG Rock Mod 2 - Dark Granite
https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=11697

BSC CP PropPack Vol02 - cycledogg (Ploppable logs)
https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=15796

Actually that last one may not be exactly what I am using - this mod will give you the logs but I think I got mine bundled with the cycledogg tree pack...

[jacqulina 162]

i hope you manage to sort out that zoom prob sweety,excellent RL pics allways love to see them thanks my friend,and looking forward to your next updates too

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Meanwhile on the other side of the ranges the creator was making another stream and set of waterfalls...



Out with the trusy road tiles... and then demolish..  (this levels the pool bed for the ploppable water...)  and then KA BOOM!



This is zoom 2 - but the waterfalls disappear ....   so we will have to stick to zoom 3 & 4, but it is harder to show the whole thing...

The following shots are zoom 4:




A crude attempt at a moasic ... just two shots butted together...




... and down to the lower section.

OK now a zoom 3 shot...





The join did not work out quite so well on that one but you get the idea...



My favourite shot - the "Wedgie"  - zoom 5.

[penguin007 27]

Thats some great terraforming and the waterfalls look spectacular

Will

[Schulmanator 5,815]

Nice work!!! Schulman Falls is shaping up to be a great place, indeed! Ready for some whitewater rafting action?

[Cleaner475 151]

zoom zoom zoom!

great pics - you can't ever have to much waterfalls! keep it up

Richard

[Craig-Abcvs 1,595]

Oh I forgot to say the "wedgie" waterfall is dedidicated to our dearest Schumanator and his worthy Supreme Wirdle....

The falls on the seaward side are indeed the Schulman Chutes.....

Here is that Google Earth shot of Mount Wellington again - since it has cropped up on this page again....

Also the falls on the Auckland side of the ranges will be named after the person who starts page 10!