Impressions of Te Papa

For those visiting Wellington, Te Papa the national museum is most definitely worth a morning or afternoon of your time or go crazy and spend the whole day.

It really is a superlative museum and conveys the story of the 'Aotearoa' - its historical influences and the natural forces that shape the country - through a series of interactive experiences over five floors. It also looks pretty funky and is nicely situated on the waterfront, so there's pleny of scope to add n some cafe culture too!

And as an added bonus, until the 17 May Te Papa is hosting the largest collection of Impressionist paintings ever to come to New Zealand allowing visitors to enjoy over 55 paintings, which are part of a greater world heritage. Works on dipslay include Claude Monet’s Water Lily, Haystacks, and Rouen Cathedral series, alongside masterpieces by Renoir, Cézanne, Degas, and others.

Wishing for a warm Christmas

I have yet to experience Christmas in the warmer climes of the southern hemisphere, although to do so is firmly in my plans for the future. I mean, there are just so many options...

If you've family or friends to visit you may simply be able to enjoy a traditional roast turkey will all the trimmings followed by the unusual bonus of a post-lunch swim in the sea or spot of sunbathing. The meal may take on more of a kiwi slant with a BBQ on the beach or cold meats accompanying pavlova on the terrace. If the sun is shining, who needs Christmas pud?!

For independent travellers, Christmas is really the perfect excuse to stay in one of New Zealand's idyllic lodges and really relax. Amidst a gloriously scenic setting, let someone else prepare an 'out of this world' dining experience as you simply chill out and indulge.

Of course, you could choose to treat the day like any other day and let the magnificence of the New Zealand scenery transport you into a world far from sleigh bells and tinsel. On a self drive holiday you can head off to find a quiet spot and many activities and attractions are open even on Christmas day. 

Finally, it's not such a bad time of year to actually set off on your New Zealand adventure, especially if the idea of repeating the same old Christmas arrangements just doesn't appeal. Embarking on overseas travel really does have a way of kicking off the new year well. A couple of years ago I travelled to NZ on New Year's Day and I can sincerely say that it was the best start to a year imaginable.

If you plan to visit New Zealand next Christmas, take a tip and book early to make sure you get exactly what you want. It'll be worth it!

So whether it is white or warm, I wish you all a very a merry Christmas.

Black Magic

The Kiwis take on Scotland at Murrayfield this weekend (well it's close to France!) in the Rugby World Cup, but not in their characteristic black. Due to the home side understandably electing to sport their own traditional dark blue colours, the visiting team must defer to their away kit. In this case, silver jerseys.

So, will the All Blacks minus the black be as effective?  Of course, says second row Chris Jack. "We're still playing for New Zealand and running out with the same guys. I guess it won't make a difference, but we'll see". The alternate jersey is still adorned with the silver fern logo though and it would seem that this is important part.

Black is a pretty significant colour in New Zealand. Apart from the All Blacks, the NZ cricket team are called the Black Caps and the hockey team the Black Sticks. Then there's Black Cat offering daily cruises on scenic Akaroa harbour near Christchurch and black water rafting in Waitomo. Fortunately though there is hope, since the world class NZ netball team are called the Silver Ferns. Except, they also play in black, ooops!

As the game kicks off on Sunday at 5pm, I shall be watching with quiet anticipation to see whether black really is magic or if in rugby, as in life, its the shades of grey that count.

WOW in Wellington

Downtown Wellington hosts the annual World of Wearable Art Awards Show this month featuring spectacular and truly bizarre creations from artists around the world - and all are wearable...at least that's the theory. 'WOW' as the event is colloquially and I suspect aptly referred to, runs from 20-30 September across 9 performances all held at the TSB Bank Arena, Queens Wharf.

"Step into a world where art and the human form combine, where dance, music and lighting tell a story of the body as a canvas; where the lines of fashion and art blur and merge as one…

A Montana WOW® Awards Show can be difficult to describe, hard to define and utterly impossible to forget. A montage of theatre, dance, colour, movement and art, simply put, the Montana WOW® Awards Shows are theatrical spectaculars".

First shown in 1987 and with an audience of around 30,000 each year, this event has grown into a very successful NZ brand from its humble origins as a promotion for a rural art gallery in Nelson, where a WOW museum showcases creations past and present. For full info about the event and its background, visit the dedicated website. I personally have my eye on the discreet little number to my left.

New Zealand Expects

There's only a week to go before the 2007 Rugby World Cup kicks off in France and for the 6th time in  succession the All Blacks are favourite for the title. Yet in spite of setting such consistent standards in world rugby, they've only picked up the trophy once back in 1987 at the inaugural tournament. Four disappointments later could this be the year?

With reigning champions England unlikely to repeat their victory of 4 years ago (and with that comment I think I'm being kind) it may be time to put my faith in the world's best to pull off a win. That said, nothing will stop me loudly singing 'Swing Low' everytime England take to the field.

That rugby union means a lot to the Kiwis might be considered an understatement. It is the national sport and with the team's exceptional track record, consistently the best in the world, Kiwis should be rightfully proud. Rugby is the dominant theme in practically every souvenir shop you'll come across with Canterbury clothing, rugby shaped stress balls, and cuddly kiwis wearing the All Black strip all featuring. But if it's a more authentic rugby experience you're after, why not head down to Palmerston North. En route to Wellington, this university town hosts the All Black's training ground and a Rugby Museum full of sporting memorabilia. And if you wait a month or two there might be some additional goldware to marvel at...

Identifying Marks

One of the best purchases I've ever made in a souvenir context was the bone-carved necklace I bought whilst backpacking in NZ in 1995.

It's nearly 12 years since I made the purchase and it still gets worn 4 or so times a week. You could take this as a comment on the sophistication (or lack of) of my jewellery taste, but for me its simply that I love wearing it. I like its aesthetic simplicity. I like its cultural significance. But most of all I like that it reminds me of one the best times of my life travelling around a amazing country.

You can also opt to carve your own and Whitianga on the Corormandel is a great place for this.

One thing that I hadn't imagined when I bought it though, was how much of an identifying mark it would be. On numerous occasions on meeting someone for the first question i've been asked "Have you been to New Zealand?". Out of context this seems like a really random question, but then I remember I'm wearing my bone carving and it all becomes clear...

Since 1995 I've been bought or bought myself several further necklaces from New Zealand, but it's still the original that I wear the most.

Winter Wonderland

Winter really kicks off in New Zealand next week with the start of the 33rd Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival, (22 June – 1 July) which “is one of the largest such festivals in the world and in recent years has become known as ‘The Southern Hemisphere’s Ultimate Winter Party””. Now I like the sound of that!

In true kiwi style this is an all out extravaganza celebrating Queenstown and the winter season with more than 60 free and ticketed events being held over 10 days. Starting with the Lindauer (there’s that nice word again!) Party in the Park – music, food and fireworks – my pick of some of the other events include: Frisbee Golf Winter Doubles Tournament, the American Express Comedy Debate, which “brings together some of the biggest names in New Zealand entertainment to argue if Queenstown is more Auckland than Auckland”, Speights Dog Derby involving standard downhill racing followed by a bark-off and Coronet Peak Night Skiing, which doesn’t involve any silliness whatsoever… yeah right!

The theme of this year’s festival is ‘BIG’ and promises “…to rock New Zealand’s favourite party town from June 22 to July 1 with the biggest and best winter celebration there is”. I’m packing as I type…

Snack Time

Our General Manager, Kieran had just returned from NZ where amongst other things he’s been indulging in some of the country’s finest food offerings. Delectable hors d’oeuves, mouth watering lamb dishes and delicate deserts…. As he recounted some of the exquisite taste sensations he’d encountered in the last few weeks I couldn’t help but think about my own NZ food experiences and things that I miss…

Cheezels, Fantales, Tomato Munchos and ‘Pams Food’ items! (OK, so I don’t really miss the latter, but there is something quite amusing about reaching across the breakfast table for a pot of jam with your name on, or cornflakes, or bread…it’s the small things after all!)
 

For those who have travelled or lived there, New Zealand is well known for its range and quality of food. Fine dining is available everywhere, from fresh ‘fush ‘n’ chups’ to gourmet dishes served up as standard at the luxury lodges. Still its funny how when I quizzed other members of our team on what they missed most food wise about NZ, the answers were mostly for less exotic items. L&P lemon drink, Pineapple Lumps and of course meat pies.

Flight Fright Fascination

Growing up in the South Island of New Zealand is different to anywhere else in the world. In order to see other parts of my country, such as the North Island, I have to take the ferry across sea or fly. New Zealand has one airline, Air New Zealand, yes how original, who dominate the Pacific skies along side the odd Qantas plane or two. So after only flying Air New Zealand (ANZ) all my life, its only natural that i feel safest and most at ease with this airline. Yet somehow i managed to develop this ridiculously minor fear of flying. Upon take-off i have to squeeze my eyes tight shut and draw my legs up to my chest, so that i can't feel any engine failure vibrations through the floor of the plane (duh). I then push my earlobes inside my ear, attempting to block out any freaky rushing plane sounds and picture myself lying on a calm tropical beach, with my feet safely digging into the sand. I recently learned it is best not to crush the hand of the person sitting next to me as it may result in further discomfort on my behalf. Surprisingly though, i love landing and find it hilarious when my plane bounces or skids upon contact with the ground at eye-watering speeds. I believe this unnatural joy has to do with the concept of arrival and the desired action of getting off the plane.

Yet this small issue with flying has not managed to tame my wild passion for travel and new adventures, as i seem to forget i am 30 000ft. above sweet stable ground once we are airborne. I get distracted by the large variety of up-to-date movies and that delicious airplane food we all know and love. The drive of the destination fuels me, keeps me coming back for more personal torment in order to sample the flavour of every culture our world offers.

Air New Zealand fly daily from London Heathrow and have recently opened up new routings to Auckland via Hong Kong or Shanghai. Other popular stopover options include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu, Fiji, Rarotonga in the Cook Islands way out in the middle of the no where, Osaka and Tokyo, along with many more code shares and connecting airlines within the Star Alliance. The airline also offer Economy, Premium Economy and Business class airfares with the most comfortable seat pitch and that friendly Kiwi service with a smile.

New Zealand Christmas Tree

Ahhh, now is about that time when you are starting to think about kai for the Christmas barbie, pulling out your speedos again and dusting off the decorations to embellish the Pohutukawa tree. No, we don't really decorate the Pohutukawa tree but December is its time of year to flourish. The stunning blood red colour of its flower gives the Pohutukawa its unique beauty during this festive season.

The first settlers used pohutukawa blossom to decorate their new homes at Christmas time, think of it as New Zealand's rip off to holly. The settlers were the first to give the shrub its name of Christmas tree, but the name 'Pohutukawa' (Po-hootah-car-wah) is the Maori name meaning 'drenched with mist' or 'splashed with sea spray'. The leaves, bark, nectar and honey from this New Zealand native were also used by the indigenous Maori for many medicinal purposes, back in the day. Nowadays you can just get your fix at Amcal.

The trees are amazingly adaptable and can tolerate extreme coastal conditions, much like the common New Zealander really. They can be found congregating on beaches and coastline in the North Island of Aotearoa, much like the enthusiastic tourist.

However, our tree is in danger of being eaten. The possum, introduced from Australia, has damaged the Pohutukawa population, but the Kiwis have, of course, taken action. Project Crimson is the charitable trust which has been set up to protect the endangered species, along with its cousin the Rata. The funded conservation project encourages the growth and plantation of these trees throughout the nation, and plants up to 30 000 trees a year! There will be a tree for every sheep in no time!