New Zealand

. . . here we go "down under" to offer a look at this little known (to U.S. citizens at least) island that somehow gets lost when you consider the giant called Australia, sort of Next Door.

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And just to put things in perspective, here's a joke, compliments of Loadstar, that comments on the relation of the two, or should I say the great competition? Anyway....

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Once upon a time in the kingdom of Heaven, God went missing for seven days. Eventually, Michael the archangel found him. He inquired of God,

"Where were you?".

God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds; "Look son, look what I've been making".

Archangel Michael looked puzzled and said, "What is it?"

God replied, "It's another planet but I'm putting LIFE on it. I've named it earth and there's going to be a balance between everything on it. For example, there's North America and South America. North America is going to be rich and South America is going to be poor, and the narrow bit joining them - that's going to be a hot spot. Now look over here. I've put a continent of white people in the north and another one of black people in the south."

And then the archangel said, "And what's that long white line there?".

And God said "Ahhh, that's the land of the long white cloud - Aotearoa, New Zealand - that's a very special place. That's going to be the most glorious spot on earth; Beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers, streams, and an exquisite coast line. These people here are going to be modest, intelligent and humorous and they're going to be found travelling the world. They'll be extremely sociable, hard working and high achieving.

And I'm going to give them this superhuman, undefeatable rugby team which will be blessed with the most talented, and charismatic specimens on the planet, and will be admired and feared by all who come across them."

Michael the Archangel gasped in wonder and admiration but then seeming startled proclaimed: "Hold on a second, what about the BALANCE........you said there was going to be a balance..."

God replied wisely: "Wait until you see the neighbours I'm going to give them!"

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So, here's our attempt at perspective, a clock with (of all things) the outline of New Zealand just to the right of center . . . well, you'll see it. It's sort of like Texas maps which take up a disproportionate amount of space compared to reality. See the little spot on the left of center? That's Australia.

In reality, however . . .

James Cook, surveyor, sailed deep into the Pacific on one of his many voyages. In 1769-70 he explored New Zealand, and charted it with the following map. Note if you can, the similarities AND the differences with today's realities:

Franz Josef Glacier  ~  which continues to advance rapidly toward the ocean.  There is a Maori Legend applying to the creation of the glacier which is beautifully encapsulated in its Maori name ~ Ka Koimata o Hinehukatere, literally "the tears of the Avalanche girl."   As the legend goes, Hinehukatere loved climbing in the mountains and one day persuaded her lover Tawe to go with her.  Near the top, however, Tawe slipped and fell to his death.  The heartbroken girl cried, her tears at such an altitude freezing to form the glacier.

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Here's the words to one of New Zealand's most famous Maori songs:

Mount Cook (left and below)

Thanks to the lady known as Alys, who introduced us to Loadstar, we offer some additional links to New Zealand. Some of the comments are hers.....

First of all ~ LOADSTAR ~ mentioned elsewhere in this website, but appropriately included on this page. A site dedicated to people who love jokes, have an outrageous sense of humor, and admire the rare beauty of the tiger.

MAORI organization home page. Much interesting information.

MAORI LINKS (from the Maori organization page).

Here is one that is considered by New Zealanders as THE ULTIMATE SITE which we offer for your interest.

The CHRISTCHURCH PRESS online, New Zealand's best on-line newspaper.

Less than reverent, but still interesting is the AARDVARK site.

A surprise to this list's operator is THE WIZARD OF NEW ZEALAND considered to be one of the country's best known characters. You'll also find this link on the hidden Wizard page. As they say down under, "looks like fair dinkum from where I sit"... a magic supreme being.

A Hei-Tiki carving (left) and a Maori carving (right)

Background music for this page is a Maori song "E papa waiari"

Any more links? Anyone wishing to suggest additional information, please feel free to this site's operator.

For those interested in construction: Oct. 30, 1998. Latest revision: Dec. 6, 1998.