Fun Facts

I have been here nearly three years now, which means I have had a bit of time to learn a few interesting facts about New Zealand so I thought I would  share some.

• If you get pulled over by the police, the officer must be wearing his or her hat when they approach they vehicle. Otherwise, they cannot issue you a ticket.
• New Zealand really doe shave more sheep than people, with a 10: 1 ration. This comes out to 4 million human residents and 40 million sheep. 
• Driving rules recently changed. If two cars from opposite directions are at the same intersection, the vehicle turning must yield to the vehicle going straight, even if the turning vehicle arrived first. 
• The first place in the world where you can watch the sunrise is Gisborne, on the East Coast of the North Island.
• The longest place name in the world is also found on the East Coast, a hill in Hawkes Bay. I won't even pretend I can pronounce it: Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukaka-
  pikimaungahoronukupokaiwenuakitanatahu. It means "the place where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as Landeater, played his flute to his loved one."
• No matter where you are in New Zealand, you cannot be more than 128 kilometers from the ocean, or 79.5 miles.
• There are no snakes in New Zealand (yay!), or ticks.
• New Zealand was the first country to give women the right to vote, in 1893. That being said, one of the first women politicians was instructed to not enter the government buildings at the same time as her male counterparts so as to not undermine their authority.
• The logo for the Royal New Zealand Air Force is the kiwibird, which is flightless. 
• The beer drunk on camera in the Lord of the Rings films was a New Zealand beer called "Sobering Thought."
• New Zealand courts have an entire list of illegal names which cannot be given to your child. They include all titles such as Prince/Princess, Queen, etc. This came about when a young girl became a ward of the court to change her original name of Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii.
• New Zealand has three national languages: English, Maori, and New Zealand Sign Language.
• Wellington is the Southernmost capital in the world.

Hope you enjoyed :)

Manny the Mantis

Something I quickly noticed, and found rather odd, is that houses here do not have screens on windows and doors. This means should you want fresh air in your house, you are also inviting nature's delightful little creatures inside when you open windows or doors. We routinely have mosquito eaters, granddaddy longlegs, and other various spiders etc. inside. Nothing that is really a major nuisance, thankfully. But that is probably in part due to there being a lesser number of creepy crawlies on this little island country.

Now, having grown up with pets, I have often wished I could have one. Unfortunately as a renter I have been stuck with a piano and house plants as a substitute. However, it seems nature might have decided to provide.

About two weeks ago, I noticed a praying mantis in the laundry room. I did not think much of it at the time, but over the next few days saw it frequently in the laundry room, or down the hallway, or in the sun room. When cleaning and decorating for Cinco de Mayo, it seemed a good time to let Mr. Mantis return to his real home of the great outdoors, and put him out in the garden. He seemed to disagree however, as a couple of days later he was back, and was hanging out in the sun room right over the record player listening to nice piano music.
The next day he was in the kitchen having a stand off with a spider who eventually gave up and went the other way. A few days later he kept me company during a workout before work. And just a few days ago, when firewood got delivered, he hung out with me outside while I stacked it before it got wet in the rain.
He has been named Manny. We will see how long he sticks around :)

Te Reo Maori

English, as spoken by the UK with some Kiwi influences, is the national language of New Zealand. The accent is noticeably different, but there is general agreement on vocabulary. But New Zealand also has a second language, which belongs to the indigenous people. Not everyone speaks it, but it is a part of life just the same. Schools and universities offer courses and degrees in the language. Some areas of the country have communities or schools which strictly speak Te Reo. And some words have worked their way into everyday life so that they are used interchangeably with their English counterpart. I have slowly picked up the meaning/understanding of these words, so I thought I would share some today.

Pronunciation notes for when you practice out loud as you read this:
wh = f
au = o(e) [i.e. tau is pronounced toe]
ng = if found together are always pronounced together (I have yet to accomplish this)
vowels are ah, eh, ee, o, u (as in two), they are pronounced the same as Spanish and Japanese vowels)

Counting:
1- tahi
2 - rua
3 - toru
4 - wha
5 - rimu
6 - ono
7 - whitu
8 - waru
9 - iwa
10 - tekau

Family is whanau. This is used widely as it can include close friends or someone who has been adopted into your inner circe.

Pakiha is the term for Europeans, or white people.

waiata - songs
owa - I don't know (that's what it means, I haven't just written a word I am unsure of!)
awa - river
taringa - ear
morena - good morning
iwi - tribe
marae - meeting house
Haere mae - welcome
haka - war dance
kai - food
aroha - love
mana - influence
tapu - sacred
whakapapa - geneaology or heritage (very important in Maori culture)
whenua - homeland or country
waka - canoe
iti - small
nui - large

Kei te pehea koe? How are you?

:)

New Plymouth Anzac Day

Last Monday was ANZAC day, New Zealand and Australia's Memorial Day. As back home, we got a three day weekend, which is always a welcome treat. There were two ANZAC services in town, something I had not yet attended since living here. Since it was a day off, I opted to not wake up in time for the 6am service, but did make it into town for the 10am service.

This year was the 100th anniversary of ANZAC celebrations. It is now 101 years since the New Zealand and Australian troops landed on the shores of Gallipoli during WWI.
The service was held at the Cenotaph, the WWI memorial in town. It is located just off the main street, right on the coast with a nice view.

The crowd was gathered all around, waiting for the parade. The parade was led by the Devon Hotel Brass Band, and was followed by veterans of all ages. Also part of the parade were police officers, boy scouts, current military personnel, and a few other groups, but not sure which so will not list here. Music was led by one of the local choirs.

I suppose in some ways it was similar to Memorial Day services anywhere. But it was a good reminder of the need for peace in our world, and that those who have served and who still serve are loved and missed by someone somewhere in the world.

Before the service

Devon Hotel Brass Band

Veterans parade

End of the parade: