As you're sitting roasting chestnuts on an open fire, after Jack Frost nipped your nose so it's red like Rudolf's, have you ever wondered what Christmas is like for people at the opposite side of the globe? Have you considered that when Santa comes to the southern hemisphere it's summer? In fact he would already have been to New Zealand wearing his shorts and jandles (flip-flops). We're a day ahead of the rest of the world in terms of time. So when you in the northern hemisphere are having Christmas, it's Boxing Day here and we're sunning ourselves on the beach. On Christmas day, Santa would have had his work cut out trying to figure out how to find places like Hokitika, Paraparaumu, Papatoetoe, (pronounced Papa-too-ee-too-ee) Whakapapa (pronounced Fukapapa) Putaruru and Otorohanga.

And there'll not have been milk and cookies left for the old rotund one, because nobody will have been home. New Zealanders aka Kiwis will be found at campgrounds and baches (cabins) by the beach. In fact Santa has been known to arrive by jet boat or helicopter to deliver the kiddies their toys and lollies (candy). Christmas is the summer holiday season for Kiwis when they disappear for a three to four week break to the sea or the mountains. Their tents and caravans decorated with tinsel, will give a vague indication that it's Christmas time.

Christmas Food

Forget about roast turkey with Martha Stewart's special stuffing. No mate, steak on the barbie and plenty of salads, that's the way we do it. Some will treat themselves to cold chicken or turkey with a touch of sand to add to the texture if they're camping on the beach. As for dessert, no Kiwi Christmas is complete without Pavlova, a dessert made of fluffy baked meringue filled with whipped cream and topped with berries. The Aussies like to lay claim to its origins, named for Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova who danced in Australia a long time ago, but Kiwis are adamant that Pavlova originated in New Zealand. If you're not into Pavlova, there's always the old stodgy Christmas fruitcake pudding, a throwback from British colonial times. A sixpence coin used to be put in it for the lucky recipient to find in his/her serving.

The Kiwi Christmas Tree

New Zealand has a spectacular native Christmas tree that shows off bright red blossoms in December. The Maoris call it Pohutukawa. Legend has it that when the Pohutukawa blooms before Christmas, we're in for a long, hot summer. We don't do blizzards and snow in December - so as the saying goes, we have “no worries, mate.”

1. Auckland-Wellington: Five direct daily return flights from 15 November. A special sale fare has been launched of $39 one way. Usual fares will start from $69 one way on the net.
2. Auckland-Christchurch: Two direct daily return flights from 15 November. A special sale fare has been launched of $39 one way. Usual fares will start from $79 one way on the net.
3. Wellington-Christchurch: Three direct daily return flights from 15 November. A special sale fare has been launched of $39 one way. Usual fares will start from $59 one way on the net.

Encouraging Better Prices

These prices will still make kiwis feel better and maybe allow students to go home between semesters. The new prices are still about $20 cheaper, per ticket than previous prices offered which is a 20% saving. Southern students have been disadvantaged in comparison to their northern peers, in respect of keeping in touch with parents, friends and family because of the cost of traveling.

It has been a longstanding joke to Kiwi's because it has generally been cheaper to fly from Auckland to Sydney rather than Auckland to Christchurch. It is easier to leave the country rather than settle here. The scenery is stunning in New Zealand and it upsets many traveled Kiwi's that for some New Zealanders there is more opportunity to get set up and financial in another country rather than in New Zealand.

It seems that another airline eying up our skies is Tiger Airways from Singapore. They are due to commence business in Australia in November. Air New Zealand has stated that the market is too small in New Zealand for three domestic airlines.

There was another company that has also put its plans on hold, Kiwijet, who are based in Nelson who were hoping to fill the space left by Origin Pacific, the company that collapsed a year ago. All interest in the skies around New Zealand could mean a major overhaul in general and that could mean better services and prices in general for Kiwi travelers.

GBK CLAPHAM
84 Clapham High Street, London SW4 7UL
Telephone 0207 627 5367
Nearest Tube/Rail: Clapham North or Clapham High Street
OPEN
Monday to Friday 12pm to 11pm
Saturday 11am to 11pm
Sunday 11am to 10pm

Coming Soon: Ealing, Earl's Court, East Dulwich, South Kensington, The City, Bristol, Tunbridge Wells, Cambridge, Greenwich And Baker Street

Winner of several "best burger" awards, Gourmet Burger Kitchen is an upmarket restaurant chain devoted to top quality burgers boasting a multitude of exotic and toppings. Created by two New Zealanders, GBK now has six outlets in London and is set to expand further.

Fresh ingredients delivered each morning ensure that the customer will experience the Rolls Royce of burgers. There are a plethora of burger options to be had: chicken, lamb, chorizo, venison and an aubergine and goats cheese burger. Multiply this by the toppings: avocado, pesto, sweet potato, aubergine, goat’s cheese, bacon, cheddar, tomatoes, peppers, pineapple, onion, salad, Portabello mushrooms, and a fried egg and the possibilities are endless!

Their signature ‘Kiwiburger’, one of their most outrageous concoctions (Aberdeen Angus beef, beetroot, egg, pineapple, cheese, salad and relish), stands an amazing 6” from the plate! Eating this beast of a burger proves to be quite a challenge, so it is probably not the best place to go while on a date as you are likely to have sauces and toppings everywhere!

As a side, try their delicious homemade chips which can be served with Garlic Mayo, Blue Cheese, Satay, Chilli, Barbecue or Sour Cream on the side. Delicious side salads and dinner salads are also available for vegetarians. Wash down your meal with an ice-cold beer, soda, or one of their infamous Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Banana, or Lime milkshakes.

The clean, stylish décor, prompt service and non-smoking environment provide the perfect backdrop for casual eating.