Riccarton Farmers Market, Travis Wetland, and All Blacks Rugby

 The class started the day off right with a trip to the Riccarton farmers market. We walked around the many local stalls at the Market, sampling the delicious foods and enjoying the friendly Kiwi culture. We loved the many bakeries and artisan foods. 

Loving the farmers market

Enjoying a vegan Baguette 

Dumplings! 

One of the many adorable dogs we got to meet 

After the farmers market, we traveled to Travis wetland. At the wetland Colin guided the class in bird watching. We also participated in point counts and along line transects to count and record species diversity. We learned about many native plants and their Māori names and uses. The class spotted many birds including grey teal, shoveler ducks, black swan, purple swamp hen, and even two brown teal (which are rare to the area.) 

Taking a walk through Travis Wetland

We made our way to lunch at the Naked Baker, a bakery specializing in savory pies. We enjoyed a nice break and lunch then continued on to Sumner Beach. The class loved the beach and played around in the sand and driftwood. 

At the beach

The class names in the sand

After a quick stop at the warehouse to get some essentials, we made our way back to the university to catch a rugby game (the All Blacks against Ireland) We enjoyed watching the traditional Haka by the All Blacks at the start of the game and learning all about the rules and intricacies of rugby. 

Go All Blacks! 

Tomorrow is first restoration project for the class and we are all excited to get started with ecological restoration. Hope everyone gets some rest tonight and is ready to get dirty planting trees tomorrow! 

-Charisse 

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

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

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 : )

 

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