New Zealand Highlights and
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
North Island
South Island
The Kiwi is far more than New Zealand's rare, endangered,
nocternal, and generally odd national bird. Human New
Zealanders have taken on the bird's name, so they too are
Kiwi. My video asks why, obtaining many different answers.
Since Kiwi can generally only be seen in zoos, where dark
enclosures mimic night during the day, these birds are far
more visible as works of art. Here is a giant Kiwi statue, one
of many in New Zealand. As with real Kiwi that I
photographed, its long thin beak, complete with nostrils,
pokes into the ground looking for food such as worms.
nocternal, and generally odd national bird. Human New
Zealanders have taken on the bird's name, so they too are
Kiwi. My video asks why, obtaining many different answers.
Since Kiwi can generally only be seen in zoos, where dark
enclosures mimic night during the day, these birds are far
more visible as works of art. Here is a giant Kiwi statue, one
of many in New Zealand. As with real Kiwi that I
photographed, its long thin beak, complete with nostrils,
pokes into the ground looking for food such as worms.
Sheep outnumber people in New Zealand by a ratio of about
10 to 1. I photographed a sheep show of many different
breeds. Europeans also introduced cattle and deer, all parts
of the New Zealand economy, for export and consumption.
10 to 1. I photographed a sheep show of many different
breeds. Europeans also introduced cattle and deer, all parts
of the New Zealand economy, for export and consumption.
The Maori came from Polynesia by sea and settled the
country many centuries before encountering explorers from
Europe.
After fighting the English and each other, Maori chiefs signed
a formal peace treaty in 1840, under which New Zealand
became a British colony, in exchange for certain guaranteed
Maori rights. The treaty's meaning is still being litigated.
But New Zealand is today far more bi-cultural than Australia
or Hawaii. Maori is an official language; the 15% Maori
population have guaranteed seats in Parliament, their own
political party and TV station; plus an influence as part of
New Zealand that is highly visible in Maori art, dance, and
song, which have become integrated into a Kiwi partnership.
country many centuries before encountering explorers from
Europe.
After fighting the English and each other, Maori chiefs signed
a formal peace treaty in 1840, under which New Zealand
became a British colony, in exchange for certain guaranteed
Maori rights. The treaty's meaning is still being litigated.
But New Zealand is today far more bi-cultural than Australia
or Hawaii. Maori is an official language; the 15% Maori
population have guaranteed seats in Parliament, their own
political party and TV station; plus an influence as part of
New Zealand that is highly visible in Maori art, dance, and
song, which have become integrated into a Kiwi partnership.
| With volcanoes, glaciers and alps, New Zealand offers endless natural wonders. Its tallest peak is mighty Mt Cook, which I was fortunate to both see and photograph. National parks cover New Zealand; and outdoor activites range from skiing to reckless adventures I filmed but cannot fully describe. Watch the video to understand what I mean. |
If you have a broadband connection, watch the Intrepid
Berkeley Explorer's free video of this trip, "North and South
Kiwi", by clicking on AdventurePics.com .
Berkeley Explorer's free video of this trip, "North and South
Kiwi", by clicking on AdventurePics.com .
