Take Home A Kiwi Gift From NZ
Posted in Fly Fishing Gear on the September 27, 2010
Welcome to NZ, Aotearoa, land of the long white cloud, and home to a ton of Kiwis from NZ. I’m sure that the kiwi, whilst it is our traditional bird, is a flightless ground dweller, but that says small about the folks that from NZ who live in this stunning land Perhaps at about that point I should say that the kiwi actually is a pretty bird, and to see one in the wild, or maybe in captivity, is an awesome event.
Ok, so now I am side tracked by the kiwi. Where was I? Ok, Kiwis, the inhabitants of NZ, a. K. A the youngest country in the world…. We really are an interesting bunch, and I say that in the very best way, and to come to NZ is to not only enjoy the jaw-dropping scenery, but also to meet some very cool people.
So , let’s get right into it. What exactly is Kiwi culture, setting cultures and folks groups apart, let’s find out what makes a Kiwi tick.
We have to start off with rugby, which was introduced to NZ in May 1870. The 1st game of rugby was played in Nelson and since that point rugby has been a sport that NZ has dominated at. For years Kiwis have been rugby crazy, and it has been every young boy’s dream to reach maturity and become an All Black. The All Blacks are a nationwide icon and and on the off-chance that they lose a significant game the whole nation will go into mourning.
regionally, you should expect just about each town and town to have 1 rugby club, and most Saturdays, if you go down to the local sports parks you’ll be treated to local rugby at its best ; town against town, province against province and occasionally even brother against brother. I can talk from experience as I am currently the winger for a village third division team which is really a Kiwi thing to do. I am in it just for fun , but for plenty of locals rugby is lived and breathed and a win on saturday is a total must, as is the post match party full of beverages and battle stories.
maybe one of the most familiar things about rugby is the short shorts the players wear. This piece of clothing is known as a stubby and it has filtered into the dress code for Kiwis everywhere. It is not unusual to see, even in the dead of winter, a good old Kiwi bloke wearing two stubbies, reputedly heedless of the cold. I can not say that I usually support this symbol of Kiwi culture, but i have been known to wear a pair even if I am not playing rugby. Perhaps it’s good for topping up that leg tan.
I assume while we are speaking around sports it would be fair to say another growing sport from NZ, which, whilst it has not loved the countrywide renown of rugby yet, it is certainly increasing in popularity. The game is football ( or football depending on where you come from ) and the present success of the New Zealand All Whites and Wellington Phoenix really has boosted it in the nation’s eyes. Bring on the football World Cup and the future of football from NZ. Soccer truly is a superb sport and for the more youthful generation is just as well-liked to play on the weekend as is rugby, so do not be stunned to see a rugby match being played alongside a football match when you visit that local sports park.
Kiwis are really not limited to rugby and soccer, however. We excel in sailing, cycling, endurance races, golfing, basketball, kayaking, horseracing, growing, cricket and netball. These sports can be found all over New Zealand in some degree and this all proves that Kiwis are not only rugby insane, but sports mad generally. Other sports that can be found are tennis, table tennis, bowls, boule, badminton, volleyball, mash, and athletics, not to mention all of the self defence schools around.
O.K, so perhaps everything isn’t centred on sports from NZ. We are a fun-loving gift givingnation, but our work ethic is very high and internationally recognized. Perhaps you’ve heard of Kiwi ingenuity, also known as No. Eight wire mentality? We’re a nation that believes in just getting in and doing it, no matter what the stumbling blocks. If nevertheless , there are stumbling blocks then expect your average Kiwi to and quickly come up with a solution or some creative way to get around the problem using novel means and whatever is available at the time. It’ll sometimes be to a high standard and achieve what is needed.
Buy a kiwi gift from NZ at http:www.noozealand.co.nz.