Challenges, Biodiversity Presentations, Kiwiana, and Whina Cooper June 30

We started out the day with team building and challenges for the class (and Nico has arrived!). From the Gordian knot to the River of Hot Chocolate, the class did really well. It was a cold morning 9 degrees Celsius but folks warmed up pretty quickly - jamming to classic rock and soul.

Gordian knot

River of Hot Chocolate

Planning about getting across the river

Traffic Jam - (they got this fast!)

After lunch, the class was introduced to biodiversity conservation in New Zealand. Through a series of presentations, the class was introduced to conservation options in New Zealand and steps to design, construct, and manage conservation developments. After Dr. Hostetler's presentations, the class was introduced to Kiwiana (Marmite/Vegemite; LP soda; honeydew honey; Vita-Weat crackers; and Pavlova!).   Now is Pavlova a New Zealand or Australian invention? We also got a chance to watch New Zealand taskmaster just before dinner. (what can I say - kiwi humor).

L&P soda!

Making fresh cream for Pavlova

Pavlova

In the evening - we got to see a remarkable movie about Dame Whina Cooper - who led a significant march in the 70s to bring attention about land being taken away by the government. 

And this Oscar goes to ...

Lumiere Cinema

Lobby to Lumiere

Good night all - see you in the morning! Dr. H

They have arrived! June 29

Well hello class of 2022! Welcome to Aotearoa.....it was pretty good trip from what I understand. People could see the southern Alps (covered with snow) on the way into Christchurch. Unfortunately, weather delayed Nico's flight and he arrives tomorrow. See you soon Nico!

They have arrived safe and somewhat sound

First group shows off kiwi fruit

Ryan, Charisse, and Ava figured out the airport "airplane" puzzle

We bundled up in the Gatorwaka and headed to University of Canterbury. After a discussion with unilodge representatives, the group moved into their dorm, had lunch, and we mustered (gathered) in the gatorwaka to take our first hike on the port hills. It was a warm hike with lots of views (and a very bright sun!)

Unilodge percentage about the dorms

First lunch in cafeteria

Let me tell you - beetroot and pumpkin soup!

Sign of the Kiwi

First tea time at Sign of Kiwi

Hiking up Sugarloaf on beautiful sunny day

At the top

Lyttleton Harbor (you are looking at the crater of a volcano that erupted millions of years ago. We are walking on the crater rim)

Colin talking about plants and "health and safety" Ryan looks very contemplative ...

Sun through the NZ Flax - it is getting dark fast!

It is such a pleasure to teach this class again. I can see by the excitement in everyone's eyes that this is going to be a great class. I wish everyone a good night rest and will see you in the morning. Frosty night - it will be below 0 Celsius tonight! If you get a chance - look at the stars this evening.  Dr. H

BRRR, and My It Is Dark...

 Today is the Winter Solstice in NZ. While the country will be getting slightly longer and lighter days going forward, we will all feel the darkness as the sun rises closer to 8am and sets closer to 5:30pm.  AND, just in time, some really cold temps reached the South Island so don't forget your layers (love how weather shows how many layers you will need)! - mk

Translate This! Getting Excited About Seeing You Soon!

 

Sunrise over New Zealand from far above

 

Kia Ora, You might consider me and my colleagues like oldies, but we are going to kick off our jandals, throw on our jumpers, and show you a really great time (as we would our cuz) through the wop-wops of Aotearoa.  We’ll even let you use our loo and serve you up some pav and a cuppa when you arrive.  Sweet As!  Study up on a wee bit of Kiwi slang, safe travels, and see ya soon mates! – Mark

Anklebiter - toddler, small child


Aotearoa - Maori name for New Zealand meaning land of the long white cloud


Chips - deep fried slices of potato but much thicker than a French fry


Cuppa - cup of tea, as in cuppa tea
(Tea Time!  Wa-hoo!)

Cuz - cousin, family


G'day - universal kiwi greeting, also spelled gidday


Good on ya, mate! - congratulations, well done, proud of someone


Good as gold - feeling good, not a problem, yes
 


Jandal - thongs, sandals,flip-flops

Jumper - sweater, jersey


Kia Ora – Maori general informal greeting of hello

L&P - Fizzy soda water


Lift - elevator


Lolly - candy


Loo - bathroom, toilet


Mate - friend

Oldies - parents


Pav - pavlova, dessert usually topped with kiwifruit and cream


Rattle your dags - hurry up, get moving

Ring - to telephone somebody, as in "I'll give you a ring"


Rubbish - garbage, trash


Serviette - paper napkin


Sweet As – what you are saying is good by me


Ta - thanks


Take-aways - food to be taken away and eaten, fast food outlet
 

Togs - swimsuit, bathing costume 


Wop-wops – situated off the beaten track, out of the way location

Sheep Outlook and More

When we first lived in New Zealand in 2007-2008, the South Island boasted 14 million sheep and 1 million people.  Today that sheep to human ratio has changed with 13 million sheep and 1,149,564 people.  As a side note, roughly two-thirds of the entire population of New Zealand lives on the North Island. The decline in sheep is due to an increase in dairy cattle and with that comes additional challenges, as we will learn in our adventures together, for water quality.  So, already, Ag and environmental research conducted in NZ has implications (and vice versa) for our own water quality here in our own agricultural (and lawn based) State of Florida. Lots to think about, m : )

Photo courtesy Te Ara

Poi E, A Kiwi Classic

Each year, there are blogs that I include as a repeat for every class.  This is one of them because it helps give a feel for the culture we will encounter this summer: 

In New Zealand, the Māori culture is deeply integrated within the Kiwi culture. Throughout New Zealand, you will find both English and Māori signs, and even the government run television here has a dedicated station just for Māori programming.  While there have been struggles between the Pākehā (a Māori-language term for New Zealanders primarily of European descent) and Māori (just as in the United States we have our own cultural struggles), and the Māori struggle to help their youth retain their culture, the Kiwis seem to have done a decent job of trying to be inclusive and promote the Māori culture throughout the country.  Poi-E is a classic Kiwi song that became a hit in the early 1980s. What is significant about this song, is that it is viewed as part of what helped kick start renewed interest for the Māori youth in their roots. In 2016, a movie was made about it as well.  Poi balls were originally used by men and women alike to strengthen wrist muscles for battle.  Today they are used by girls and women in traditional Māori performance dances.  I can show you how to make some if you like. -Meryl

Of note, you might even be able to watch a movie that was made about the song in the last few years when you are on Air New Zealand - check out the New Zealand Choice section on your in flight screen to see if it is playing (we also recommend Boy, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and What We Do In The Shadows to give a flavor for the New Zealand sense of humor).

 

Time To Start Packing...

It is time to start packing and getting ready for our adventures as kiwisforthesummer2019!
Here is our Iwi for this year...

 

The Spirit of New Zealand Captured In Three Minutes: Mr. Frosty and the BMX Kid

Written and directed by Tim McLachlan from New Zealand. Mr Frosty and the BMX Kid was a finalist in the 2010 Your Big Break competition – a global search for the next great filmmaker. Their task was to capture the spirit of New Zealand in a 3 minute short film. Judged by Peter Jackson and produced by Barrie Osborne. I love this short film that really captures the spirit of New Zealand.  Of course, it will be cold when we are in New Zealand this summer; however, the Tip Top ice cream will still be good as! - Meryl : )

 

It's probably going to be cold...

  

Did you know that Christchurch is the staging ground/departure point for many expeditions to Antarctica?  Another good reason to bring warm layers!  It really is surprisingly close as the map above shows, and the southerlies always smell like ice to me as the winds come up from the roaring 40s.  Seriously, bring warm layers and be prepared for rapid changes in weather.  We have experience temperature fluctuations of up to 30 degrees in as little as 15 minutes.  We have had warm, sunny days in the upper 50s, and then really, really cold ones in the low 30s with lots of rain, and rain, and rain.  Did we mention rain?! Snow is never ruled out either.  Be prepared for almost anything. Wind and water proof layers are essential, and, as I mentioned at our first meeting, I am a fan of warm, dry socks.  Warm hands, head, and neck are always good too.  Can you tell I am a Florida girl?  Most days will average in the upper 30s to mid 40s and most nights will be teens to 30s. A typical outfit for me will be wool socks with running shoes or hiking boots, jeans, camisole, long sleeve t shirt, short sleeve t shirt, lightweight cotton hoodie, down vest, gloves, hat, and scarf.  I can easily add a wind/water proof layer (or two, or three) to this, or shed some layers as needed.  Check your packing list and feel free to talk with Mark or me if you have questions.
-Meryl : )

What is a kiwi?

 

From the official New Zealand Web site...
The kiwi, New Zealand's national emblem, is a flightless bird with hair-like feathers and a long, slender bill which it uses to pull worms and insects out of the ground. Found only in New Zealand, it is active at night in the wilderness areas of the country. New Zealanders often refer to themselves as kiwis, and the term is also used as a short form for the famous kiwifruit (Chinese gooseberry). On the stock exchange, the New Zealand Dollar is also referred to as "the kiwi".
-Meryl