Hi John,
good to know that Kiwis get around the world even though they're a flightless bird!
If you're heading to Hastings then please head north 2.5 hours and come to Gisborne (the first city in the world to see New Year's sunrise). There are about four of use keen amateurs here who have a couple of 16" scopes and a brand new 12" Meade LX200(?).
Just give us a week's prior notice...so we can get a few Tuis ready ('The beer we drink around here').
Cheers.
John Drummond
Gisborne, New Zealand
E 178* 03', S 38* 40'
email:
john_drummond@xtra.co.nz
website:
http://www.possumobservatory.co.nz