Aotearoa – The land of the Long White Cloud was the first name given to this small country that is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea . It always seems to be under a long white cloud hence the first naming by the Maori who settled in this land around five hundred years ago. There were another people here before the Maori but their descendents are all that remain.
New Zealand is made up of the North Island , South Island and Stewart Island . There is much diversity in this land between the inhabitants and the landscapes. You could find a place that gratifies your senses, a little something for everyone. There are the snowy mountains in the south to the sub tropical beaches in the north.
It is diversity that has helped this nation grow. Being an Island , almost every item is imported but from the harshness of economic reality has come an ingenuity of a people. They shine in many areas of global consciousness because they have to. From the sporting achievements of the All Blacks (in Rugby), Black Caps (Cricket), Silver Ferns (Netball) and many other sporting arena's to our Arts achievers in the film industry, Literary notables and Educational fields. The Environment Issues are of concern and our scientists have stepped up to the plate to leave their mark on the world too.
Being here is like being in a clean, green, playground. There are many things to do but with a laid back feel to it all. Much like the volcano activity, it all seems to be happening under the surface.
With active volcanoes, geothermal activity, and frequent earthquakes, we have an interesting landscape to say the least!
As for almost every item being imported, that isn't really correct.
We export our wood, sheep, cows, fish, dairy products, wool, lots of things.
The one thing our "isolation" does tend to do is make us creative people who come up with innovative ways of utilising what we have at hand to conquer problems.
The atom was first split here, Britten and many other ingenious garage men who attained world infamy, Bruce McLaren, Peter Jackson, Russell Crowe, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Edmond Hillary... The list goes on... All this from a land 4 times that of Ireland with the same population.
Offend one of us, the country stands proud together.
No matter where in the world a kiwi goes, they are welcomed with open arms and adored from the start purely for being from NZ.
There is so much more about New Zealand than what is in this piece alone, so please do it more justice next time...
Haere ra...