Top 10 Things We Forgot to Mention About New Zealand:
Before we leave Aotearoa, there are a few things we feel we should discuss.
1. WOW! The World of Wearable Art Museum
This place makes us wish we were Nelson residents. It's lovely to visit the museum, but it would be so much more fabulous to attend or even participate in one of their awards shows. If you manage to plan your trip close to this yearly event, we promise to be jealous. (Tickets are already on sale.)
2. Sheep Shearing Shows
It seems like there are almost as many farm attractions involving sheep in New Zealand, as there are sheep pastures. And believe me, sheep are plenty interesting to look at for several seconds at a time. But you take those same ordinary sheep and put them in front of a burly man in a tank top with a microphone and some clippers and poof! You've got yourself a blockbuster stage show that will entertain bus loads of tourists three times a day, seven days a week. We personally enjoyed our experience at the Agrodome more than was probably necessary.
And while we're on the subject of the Agrodome, it also happens to be the place where you can experience New Zealand's wackiest extreme sport. Newly available in the U.S. too!
And while we're on the subject of sheep, have you ever considered what might happen if a genetic experiment on those fluffy little critters went horribly wrong? Well, some movie makers in New Zealand (sheep population: >40 million; human population: <4 million) have and they're getting Weta Workshop's help.
3. The Haka
Despite our best efforts, we couldn't find a haka class during our stay in New Zealand. But if we ever catch another All Blacks game, we will be taking notes.
4. Nuclear Free
You might want to be prepared if a New Zealander comes at you with this one: "Why doesn't America want us to be nuclear free?" Here are the basics as they apply to the U.S. and as we understand them: New Zealanders overwhelming want their country to be 100 percent nuclear free and they've elected governments who have passed legislation to ensure that. This extended to a ban on nuclear powered/armed ships, which inevitably caused problems for the U.S. and N.Z.'s mutual defense treaty (Anzus Treaty).
The U.S. Navy has a keep-your-cards-hidden policy of neither confirming nor denying nuclear material aboard its vessels and so they are unwelcome in N.Z. ports. The U.S. sees it as a betrayal of commitment and a slap in the face, whereas N.Z. sees it as a point of morality and national pride.
The result is that (a) no American military ship has docked in a New Zealand port for over 20 years, (b) no free trade agreement can be established between the two countries, and strangest of all (c) unsuspecting American tourists will occasionally be confronted by Kiwi tour guides bearing a grudge. This diplomatic standoff was big news in the States during the Cold War, but it mostly just makes headlines in N.Z. these days. Well, thank goodness for the Web because if you attempt to shyly profess ignorance that just makes your civic-minded guide angrier as he mounts his soapbox.
You can study up more about it here and here. (Unfortunately, no links to an American point of view could be found, which probably reflects the general level of interest on this side of the Pacific. After all, N.Z. is 45th on the list of U.S. trading partners. Love their movies though!)
5. Possum Hatred
Possums in New Zealand are not the rat-tailed version we know in North America. Even when they don't have a baby on their back, the Kiwi version is terribly adorable. So it surprised us when we first started coming across anti-possum signs. It seems these creatures, brought over from Australia to build a fur trade, are decimating the native plants and animals. Still, we can't bring ourselves to hate their fuzzy cuteness.
6. Beautiful Boulders
Head-scratchingly bizarre rocks artfully placed in the middle of a sandy beach. They're great for photo opts and playing King of the Mountain.
7. Rugby Games
Rugby is the game in New Zealand. Nothing else comes close (though the Australia vs. New Zealand netball final during the Commonwealth Games might rank a close second).
8. An Education in Bootlegging
The Hokonui Moonshine Museum turned out to be an amusing impulse stop. Never thought I'd see a museum diorama of country folk brewing whiskey under the cover of darkness in the woods. Don't imagine that they get many school groups.
9. Tame Eels
When you see a sign offering a chance to feed live eels, how can you not stop? They're like sea monsters!
10. They're harboring an army that plans to invade the U.S.
They may be nuclear free, but these Kiwis plan to take over. And if there is anything I learned from watching Lord of the Rings, any army with a wizard at the helm should be taken very seriously.
By Meredith Bragg |
May 2, 2006; 7:05 AM ET
| Category:
New Zealand
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Posted by: Ellen Shoemaker | May 3, 2006 03:23 PM
I'm an American living and working in NZ, and haven't yet been accosted by people demanding to know about nuclear arms. Then again, I also did my research and read up on The Rainbow Warrior (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Warrior). Yeah, it's the French and Greenpeace, but when the proponents of nuclear arms perpetrate the first terrorist attack on NZ soil... Well, you can understand them not being too pleased about issues involving boats, nukes, and NZ ports.
Posted by: Grace | May 4, 2006 07:11 AM
Meredith & Cindy,
Just happened upon the "Vagablog" today- great writing + boring work to do = me reading your entries for a full hour. Please stop writing such entertaining entries so that I can get back to work.
I am planning a honeymoon trip to New Zealand for this winter. My future-wife and I are planning to do it a bit backpacker-style, not that we are so attached to backpacker-style per se, but we are on a budget. How is NZ in terms of affordability compared to Australia or SA? Any things we must do- or things you saw and had a moment like "oh, if this were my honeymoon, I would surely do that"? Any advice would be appreciated.
-B.V.
Posted by: B.V. | May 4, 2006 10:02 AM
Overall, New Zealand is probably a little more expensive than Australia. Backpacking will not present any problems.
My number one recommendation would be the Abel Tasman National Park.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abel_Tasman_National_Park
Posted by: Scrivener | May 4, 2006 07:18 PM
Has anyone had experience with the youth hostels in NZ? My wife and I are planning to use them during our visit there in their winter.
Posted by: CEC | May 4, 2006 08:55 PM
We travelled for 3 weeks on both the north and south islands, and found the youth hostels to be good to great generally. We were there during the NZ winter, so it was never hard to find a place to stay, but that might not be true during the summer season since there are more people visiting then. We had fun!!!!! Great place! If you don't mind mud, check out Stuart Island too, we when hiking and saw a kiwi in the wild, cool stuff ;-)
Posted by: SDK | May 5, 2006 09:28 AM
When I travelled in NZ I only stayed in hostels. I went off recommendations from others, or a travel guide. I never had any problems. Many were simple, but most have kitchens (which allows you to save money on eating out). If you are going to Kaikoura on the south island, which you should because it is beautiful-- and a good place to see the dolphins or whales. Stay at the Dusky Lodge. It is warm and cozy, with real duvets! Also, everyday at 4pm the bakery next door brings over the day's pastries. You can sit on their porch and watch the countryside and eat pastries and drink tea.
Posted by: KH | May 25, 2006 03:01 PM
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We traveled to NZ and Australia in Fall,2004. I'd go back in a minute--even though the plane trips are loooong. We did prefer the South Island--Dunedin and Christchurch. Anyone who has an opportunity to make this trip, should take advantage--what a beautiful and unspoiled world