Our trip to NZ was full on but really satisfying to be able to help out.....I helped Eric with renovations at our daughter Kellie's and neice Rohan's cafe "Cosset" in Auckland
and repairs and maintenance on Eric's mum's house in Tauranga.
When I arrived back in December, we had the pleasure of seeing his nephew Clayton marry his partner Trish of 9 yrs, at a lovely beach in Coromandel.
A very quick trip to Warkworth where we lived for many years was squeezed in before Xmas to catch up with good friends. As always there wasn't enough time to see everyone but we enjoyed seeing the familiar countryside and some of our favourite spots. This was taken at Green's Point which holds many good memories. ( 400m from our past home at Sandspit)
Xmas morning was spent in Tauranga at Eric's mum's and my sister and brother in law's home for the afternoon and evening where 25 of my family congregated. Esme and Mark are wonderful hosts and always put on a wonderful event and accomodate the masses.
I enjoyed getting photos of the above list and added some of my own starting with the NZ flag
The haka ( traditional Maori war cry, dance or challenge) is performed before their matches to proclaim their strength and prowess in order to intimidate the opposition
A bacterial disease called PSA which affects the vines and fruit has been threatening the export industry
Due to our love of the outdoors the Barbeque has become a popular way to cook food in the summer months.
Fish and chips wrapped in food wrap and newspaper is always special. We ate fish and kumara chips (NZ sweet potato) beside the beach at Whitianga
When eating at the beach one is always surrounded by seagulls and their squawking call as they scavenge for leftovers
Because NZ is surrounded by the sea on all coasts the beach for swimming, surfing walking, boating, picnics and lying in the sun is very popular
The Kiwi bach, a small holiday home, are an iconic part of New Zealand history and culture. This one was photographed at Whitianga Beach
The dinghy, a small rowing boat, used either alone or as a tender to a larger boat is seen in most kiwi back yards or on the beach. This one was a popular resting place for these oyster catchers
Along with the beach lifestyle goes the footwear.. The kiwi Jandals
Coffee drinking has become a popular pastime and the lattes, flat whites, cappucinos, to name a few, are up with the best in the world
During WW1 the mothers, wives and girlfriends of the Australian and NZ soldiers were concerned about the nutritional value of the food being supplied to their men, so they produced wholesome biscuits which would remain fresh and unspoilt during transportation... Known as ANZAC biscuits
Toetoe ( Giant tussock grasses) are an iconic part of the NZ landscape and were used by the Maori people to line the walls of their traditional housing, for pipes,straws, arrows and weaving.
The pohutakawa was in full bloom and it seemed to be a particularly good year. I was told it indicates a long hot summer.
With its crimson flower it has become an established part of the New Zealand Christmas tradition.
NZ Kauri trees are one of the largest and longest growing trees in the world. Due to its straight grain with few knots it is a popular building material. It is very difficult to obtain now, but we were lucky to buy heart Kauri to build our yacht
Bush walking and tramping are a popular NZ pastime
and for the adventurous.."Bungee jumping" started by AJ Hackett ( a kiwi) and Henry van Asch in the mountain setting of Queenstown, New Zealand
Boating and sailing are an important part of most Kiwis lifestyles. Heightened by the America's cup challenges and hosted in Auckland in 2000 and 2003
Icecream at the end of a hot summers day is popular, but especially "Hokey Pokey" which is vanilla icecream peppered with crunchy bites of honeycomb toffee
Lemon and Paeroa (L&P) is a popular NZ fizzy drink originating from Paeroa, NZ. A spring with unique mineral water was found and by adding lemon it was found to be a very pleasant drink.
The Pukeko or NZ swamp hen.
With their bright blue plumage and red beaks, they easily stand out against the New Zealand greenery, particularly when their white tail feathers begin flashing in alarm. Just why they have struck a chord with the Kiwi psyche is hard to say, but you'll find their images on all manner of art and craft works.
Pipis are a small shell fish dug up from the sand at low tide and associated with summer holidays.
They are delicious cooked on the BBQ or steamed
Weta are well known spiny- grass hopper like native insects which live in rotting vegetation and dark areas. They are one of the world's largest insects and are nocturnal.
The Huhu Beetle....Most of us are aware of the loud whirr which signals the flight of our biggest beetle which is attracted to light and frequently enters houses at dusk or dawn. It can give a painful nip with it's mandibles if handled roughly, but it is harmless
The Katipo is our native spider related to the Australian redback and American black widow. It is poisoness but reports of a bite are rare as it only bites in self defence. It lives in the sand dunes coastally.
There are alot of other things that I could add but it could go on forever...
So many of us choose to live overseas for better opportunities and earning potential but we always remember the things that "Make New Zealand HOME"
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