Kiwiland Info thread

[CreatureArt]

Ki ora! Tena koto! Haere mai!


As far as I know, I'm the only kiwi on the thread! Shocking! I mean, there's just a single citizen from that distant country with a population of around 4 million (a third of it contained in Auckland city) on the CAA site! (Sorry I don't speak much more maori than the first ten numbers and the greetings above).

So, I felt it to be my patriotic duty to give information regarding the wonderful country of New Zealand. Feel free to ask questions about my home - serious ones, fun ones, ones about the Christian community over here, the art.... etc.
If I don't know the answer, I'll do my best to find someone who does

So, first of all, kiwis are the national bird of NZ. (It's a small, brown, flightless, long-beaked, whiskered thing that's endangered). They're the reason that NZ citizens are often referred to as kiwis. Oh - and kiwiland is not a common term for NZ. Just one I use. .

We invented pavlova, that wonderful desert. I can find recipies if you like . However, there's a bit of a friendly... disagreement ... with the Australians on this point. Actually there's a lot of disagreements with the Australians. A bit like America and Canada, I suppose. Friendly rivalry. (Actually two of my brothers are Australian and I like Australians - something I feel free to say because I don't know any other kiwis on this thread ).

TRUE: New Zealand is a group of Islands in the south pacific. There are three main islands - the North Island, South Island and Stuart Island. There are many other small islands all around the place, though. And Wellington is the capital of NZ, even though Auckland is by far the largest city.

FALSE: New Zealand doesn't use the same currency as Australia. Easy mistake to make. We are also not a group of islands off the coast of Australia. We're reasonably far away, and are our own country.

I've been given the impression that some people think that there are more sheep in New Zealand than people! Well, the truth is: it's absolutely true! There are ten sheep for every person in New Zealand. This leads to the question: are there sheep in the big city centres? Nope. The population of sheep are mostly concentrated in the rural areas. Farmers may have hundreds+ sheep on a large farm, in the more remote areas of the Northland and Southland.

"Within a radius of about 20km centred on Auckland city there are 49 discrete volcanoes; this is the area referred to as the Auckland volcanic field." - true. But most of them are extinct/dormant. There are a few active ones, but mostly out in the sea. A well known one is White Island.

So there's my patriotic duty done. Some facts about New Zealand. Again, feel free to ask questions. Here is one of my own: have any of you ever visited New Zealand?

God bless, and thanks for bearing through this large post . I now feel at peace having dispersed some common myths and imparting kiwi information to you all.

[Retten]

I have 2 friends from New Zealand and know a couple of familes actually, but I have no cluew why ppl from New Zealand would move to Arizona 0_o

[Esoteric]

I visited NZ for a week in 2000. Saw bits of Auckland, Rotorua, and Wellington. Actually, I saw more cows than sheep! What's the current cow to sheep ratio?

I enjoyed the visit and would love to go back and spend more time, maybe see the South island. One thing I remember, the pronunciation of names like 'Whangarie' threw me at first. "Fongeray?" But after a while I got the hang of it and enjoyed trying to read road signs 'properly'.

And....I love Jaffas!!! They don't sell them here!!

[Fsiphskilm]

You should post up a p

[Mr. SmartyPants]

i want to hug a sheep, like.... they look really soft

[Nate]

This is a picture of a kiwi (err, the bird, not the fruit).

[Mr. SmartyPants]

hehe looks like a flying porcupine ^^

[TheMelodyMaker]

I have an uncle who is from New Zealand. (And a bit off-topic, but his brother was the missionary to Papua, New Guinea back in the 60s who brought the "stick figure" written language to the people living there. Just thought you'd find that interesting. ^_~ )

[Nate]

hehe looks like a flying porcupine ^^

It can't fly...

[Mr. SmartyPants]

It can't fly...

x___x

what i meant to say was that it looked like a WINGED porcupine ^^;;

awww poor kiwi, most other birds can fly, but the kiwi can't. It must feel sad =(

[Ingemar]

I've always wanted to know about News Eel Land.

I believe we have other NZ'ers here. I remember one named Gleph.

[CreatureArt]

There are.... others? @_@
Seriously, that's awesome. If there are any other kiwis in the CAA reading this thread - PM me!

Esoteric - that's awesome that you visited NZ and enjoyed it so much. Weird you saw more cows than sheep - probably more sheep than cows but depends where you go. There's a lot of sheep in the Southland, I've heard.

Rofl - yep, when you see place names like: Whangerei the wh syllable in maori is pronounced as an 'f'. Don't know why; just is. A lot of kiwis (mostly non-maori, obviously ) also pronounce Wangerei with the 'w' sound - people'll still know where you're talking about. Hmm... I wonder how the people living in Wangerei themselves pronounce it. Haven't met too many people from there. Should look into it. Mmmm... jaffas. Interesting fact for those who don't know: the word jafa is also used to diss Aucklanders. - Just Another Flipping Aucklander .

Volt - your pastor is from NZ? Awesome! Do you know what part or island he's from?

Mr SP - rofl. We have sheep on my family's (small) farm. Uh.... they're just like any other unwashed domesticated animal (barring pets)... which means you probably don't want to hug 'em. (*rofls again*). Actually, often when I'm helping Dad before shearing I do have to hug them in the form of a tackle (fully grown sheep) - but I'm wearing old clothes and take a good, long shower afterward .

MelodyMaker - your uncle is a kiwi? Excellent. (*puts hands in Mr Burns pose*). We will take over the w-... I mean; really, we seem to be everywhere . Whoa - his brother did that? That's awesome too.

Got to agree with Kaemmerite - neither kiwis nor porcupines can fly Don't worry, I don't think the kiwi feels as sad as if it could fly. I mean, can you imagine how humilating a bird that would be in the air?

News Eel Land. Yep, that's us. Fush and chups. (not confused with feesh and cheeps - that's the Aussies). Hmm... will look out for Gleph and all other kiwis. Hopefully they will see this thread and feel patriotic .

[LorentzForce]

Not from NZ, but I live in Australia Not too far, eh?

I shall go to the kiwilands one day, just to see how it's like. I like geology for some reason...

[Fsiphskilm]

He's not going to be home for

[CreatureArt]

Awesome. Thanks, Volt.

Yeah, Kiwis are crazy, puffy creatures. Kind of like hedgehogs in their diet and nocturnal activity - oh, and useless interesting fact: their nostrils are on the end of thier beak. Craziness. I wish I had a kiwi, too. But then various government groups would come after me... .

Go Lorentz! That'd be cool if you could come to the Kiwiland. I've been told (by Australians) that there's only one problem with this country: the kiwis! (*people version*). XD

[That Dude]

Are you sure that they don't use Australian money? ^_-

[CreatureArt]

...well, except for the fact that we will accept their Australian coin ...

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I went to pay for something one day and it ended up that their was a NZ 20 cent piece in there with a kiwi on it. I didn't realize at the time but was told when I went to pay that they don't accept New Zealand coin (being Australian). Ooops!

That Dude: The only similarities between OZ and NZ coins is that they are called dollars and cents. They look quite different and their value is a lot different also.

[CreatureArt]

rofl - I should count the number of Australians that come to this thread...

I agree with you, Warrior. I think your gold coins have opposite sizes to ours or something - our two dollar is larger than our one dollar, while the Australian sizes are the other way around. Am I right?

Interesting that your shops won't take NZ twenty cent coins. A lot of ours will. So our coins are... (sorry just wanted a proper moment to slip that little smilie in there ).

[Kat Walker]

Let's all take a moment to thank the people of New Zealand......

*bad NZ Oscar joke*

[That Dude]

Hey what is the second biggest city in NZ? All I really hear about is Auckland...It's surprising that nobody has mentioned the Tuatara yet...The are pretty cool NZ animals.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Oh, I love the tuataras. Don't they have like a third eye on top of their head? I think its only when they are really young. As they grow older skin grows over it.
They also look like minature dinosaurs.

[EireWolf]

Do you have a picture of a tuatara?

I have not visited NZ but I would LOVE to. So beautiful...

Here's another question: What's your favorite thing about being a kiwi?

[true_noir_chloe]

Ah, thank you so much for this thread, Creature Art. I love learning new things, and I've always wanted to learn more about NZ.

The Tuatara sounds interesting. Now, I'm curious to see one.

I love your sigs, too - great art! Thanks again for sharing your country with us.

[Hephzibah]

I'm half kiwi, if that counts. I can become a NZ citizen whenever I want too My mum is a NZer
Say... why isn't there an Aussie-info thread?

[LorentzForce]

Probably because Australia is full of nothing but kangeroos and boring things Well, it is practically desert except some foresty areas.

[Hephzibah]

well I've just been officially insulted!!
jk. However, if that is what you think, then we really WILL need an info thread.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Australia is far from boring, you naive American! (lol)

Behold, the wonderous tuatara!

[LorentzForce]

I know about Australia, because I live here All I see is, uh, possums, and emus, and kangeroos, and koalas, and other animals. Then there are plants too. Well, it's got that Australia thing to it, but it does get somewhat repetitive after seeing it for a while in your front lawn.

[edit] Did I tell you most of the animals are in the zoo, unless you go into national parks and such?

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Oh, sorry I thought you were an American. Yes I can see where you are coming from but there are many wonderful Australian creatures that aren't as well known and are much more interesting then your standard Aussie icons.
Although you've got to admit, the echidna is pretty darn cool!