BS: NZ Topics

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Little Robyn
Date: 08 Aug 06 - 03:44 PM

Azizi, there's a news item this morning about a warrior gene
that might explain some of the negative stuff.
Already there's controversy, with the scientist saying, I didn't mean that's why so many people in jail are Maori!
But it could explain why some people react more aggressively than others.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: GUEST,Fossil in NZ
Date: 07 Aug 06 - 04:13 AM

Mr Red: Levin FC is alive and well and thriving, I'v played there a couple of times, but it's a long way up State Highway One* for me and sometimes I have to work late (*State Cart Track One is more like it). Will pass on your wishes.

Lilyfestre: Fishing round here (Kapiti Coast - West coast, North Island) is superb: they have a no-fish zone near Kapiti Island, and this has replenished the stocks. Blue Cod make very good eating!

See you all soon, I hope

Fossil

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Azizi
Date: 06 Aug 06 - 04:32 PM

Thanks for that info, Robin and Becky.

I appreciate the opportunity Mudcat provides to learn about the history & culture of New Zealand.

I also appreciate learning about the etymology of the name "New Zealand" and about old Zeeland too!

Positive vibrations,

Azizi

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 06 Aug 06 - 04:22 PM

And if you scroll down on that Wikipedia page, you get the scoop on the New Zealand name.

~ B in T

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 06 Aug 06 - 04:16 PM

Zealand from the Dutch, Zeeland -- nothing to do with Zeel, and all to do with Zee: sea, in English.

Zeeland, from Wikipedia

~ Becky in Tucson
whose great-great uncles were on the first settler ship from England to New Zealand (gr-grandad went direct to Australia)

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Little Robyn
Date: 06 Aug 06 - 03:29 PM

Hi Azizi, I'm a New Zealander, also known as a Kiwi.
New Zealand was named by a Dutch explorer, Abel Tasman, (for whom the Tasman sea is named) and I understand he came from Zeeland, in the Netherlands. But the Dutch effectively ignored NZ and Captain James Cook turned up a few years later and named other parts of the country.
The Maori people had been here for several hundred years but they tended to be a bit wild, fighting amongst themselves and doing nasty things to captives, including the sailors who arrived here looking for whales and seals.
Yes, there are/were a lot of seals here and their skins were worth money. See 'Davy Lowston'. This is a very short, generalised history!
Sorry, I'm late for work. See you later.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Azizi
Date: 06 Aug 06 - 05:37 AM

Hello, New Zealanders! I'm curious about some New Zealand things. No disrepect whatever is intended by these questions.


1. What does zealand mean? When I was younger, I thought it meant "seal land". But now that I'm older, I think there's no seals in Zealand except in the zoo. Is that right? So what is a "zeal"?

2. {your response to #1 may have answered this} Is there an old Zealand, and if so where is it?

3. What is the proper referent for folks who are from or who live in New Zealand? {assuming that "New Zealander" is wrong}


Thanks in advance for your response to these questions.

-Azizi

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Little Robyn
Date: 06 Aug 06 - 03:00 AM

Well the Hawke's Bay football team have been playing again today. The other team (Otago, I think) scored 37 and we got - wait for it - same as last time - zero!
I think they should quit while they're ahead!
I still hate rugby!
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Little Robyn
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 10:07 PM

I'm no fisherman either - I snagged a herring off Petone wharf once - the hook caught in its gills. The cat enjoyed it tho'!
Way back in 1959 we were taken on a fishing trip in the Sounds and someone else put whatever-it-was onto the hooks. Then we just dangled the line over side of the boat. I managed to catch 5 Blue Cod!!! but I don't remember what happened to them.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Lil' Kiwi
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 09:31 PM

I've have only ever gone fishing twice myself. Once was from a yacht when on a sailing trip out around Waiheke Island and back. I don't what fish is out there other than snapper as that's all we caught.
The other time I went fishing was up north when I stayed at a Marae. I don't what we caught, but it sure was delicious!

Trout fishing is popular here, particulary in the Taupo area.

That's all my fishing knowledge and experience.

Have a great week everyone!
LK.

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: LilyFestre
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 05:34 PM

Hi!

   I've read quite a bit about the fishing in NZ but would love to hear more from a personal experience! So, do you do much fishing? What kinds of water do you like to fish on? Favorite fish to catch? Are you a bait or fly fisherman? Do tell........

Michelle

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Little Robyn
Date: 29 Jul 06 - 04:32 PM

Last night the All Blacks beat the Aussies and I understand it was a fairly close game, so most Kiwis will be happy this morning.
But the night before, our local Provincial team, known as Magpies, were thrashed, 45-0 by the Canterbury team!
But I don't care because I hate most sports and football in particular. There's something about a sports commentary that really upsets my musical ear - the shouting, the noise in the background, the people getting over-excited. All because of a stupid shaped ball!
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Mr Red
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 02:34 AM

Say hello to the Levin FC for me - anyone who goes. They might remember me from 1996. I bumped into Shez at Warwick - she was there that night and has been in UK on and off and is here now. She was with a singer / guitarist - named er er er Dave .

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Little Robyn
Date: 28 Jul 06 - 12:57 AM

My Gr,gr,gr,grandad helped save NZ from the French!
William Green and his wife Mary Ann were already in Akaroa before the Treaty was signed in Waitangi in 1840 and by the time the French settlers sailed up Akaroa harbour, expecting to colonise the South Island, there was the Union flag, flying at Green's Point!
Nyaa,nya,nya nyaa,nyaa.
Otherwise we might all be speaking Fronglaise and there would be no Maori land anywhere! (The French don't have a very good track record in the South Pacific!)
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics points to clear up
From: GUEST,sneeble
Date: 27 Jul 06 - 10:52 PM

A few days ago someone mentioned the Treaty of Waitangi was caused by the Maori going to war, this is incorrect. The purpose of the treaty was to stop the French annexing NZ as French territory. Even though their are huge problems with the treaty, treaty claims and abuses from all. it is significantly better than what the french would have done ( ask any native New Caledonian). The NZ Land wars were in the 1860's, the treaty was signed in 1840. Another bone of contention is the maori-english translation, whether or not it was a literal or figurative translation.

Hobbiton- This is in Morrinsville (Scotsmans Valley) some 8 hours north by car from Wellington, 1 1/2- 2 hours south from Auckland. There are plenty of tourism guides around with information.

The geography thoughout the country is significantly contrasting and the weather very changeable for good information go to Tourism NZ website

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Azizi
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 11:59 PM

Interesting. Thanks for that info.

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Lil' Kiwi
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 11:22 PM

How the All Blacks got their name A link to rugby museum that gives the answer - there's a couple of variations too.

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Azizi
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 09:58 PM

In my last post I was bein real and also havin a bit of fun with references lifted from one context and placed into another.

But I want to borrow Lil' Kiwi's comment and say that "I shall apologise in advance for any NZers [or others]I may offend here".

My goal was not/is not to offend.

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Azizi
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 09:54 PM

I had to look up the "All Blacks" reference. I found this, among other websites.

I'm assuming that team's name refers to the color of their uniforms, right?

Be that as it may, something tells me that team name wouldn't work in other countries...

I'm just sayin...

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Lil' Kiwi
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 06:46 PM

It's not as bad as it used to be, but up until the last couple of World Cups, the rugby mentality here was sickening - the nation would be in the state of mourning if the All Blacks lost kinda thing...
At my highschool you'd get grief from teachers and other students if you didn't play rugby (unless you were an absolute scholar or in the 1st XI Cricket or Soccer teams).

A friend and I represented our school on a national level in rockclimbing competitions and even though we were among the best it wasn't mainstream enough of a sport to get any sort of respect... guh!
supporting your team is one thing, but stuff like that is pathetic.

I'm fairly cynical and opinionated about certain things relating to NZ, that's just me, so I shall apologise in advance for any NZers I may offend here.

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: John O'L
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 09:33 AM

Ah, I see.

Well, no, I don't see. I've never met a Kiwi before who wasn't. That's the very last thing I expected you to say. You've wrong-footed me completely.

I'm speechless.

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Lil' Kiwi
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 07:30 AM

Dunno, I'm not exactly a 'rugbyhead' like too many of us down here.....

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: John O'L
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 04:04 AM

Damn! We lost the netball game

Netball this week, next week rugby?

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Little Robyn
Date: 26 Jul 06 - 03:50 AM

The problem with possums and rabbits is that they don't belong - they were introduced by Europeans, as were the sparrows and gorse bushes along with several other pests. These things thrived and overpowered the indigenous flora and fauna and we're now trying to turn the clock back before beasties like the kiwi are gone forever.
The rabbit population was so huge down south that they were destroying the land itself (and still are in some areas).
Did you know NZ had dinosaurs many years ago? Not just flying or swimming ones but the scary land based ones as well! Bones from some of these were discovered here in Hawke's Bay within recent years by a lovely lady named Joan Wiffen if you want to investigate further.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Lil' Kiwi
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 06:20 PM

Damn! We lost the netball game :-( anyone else watch it?

Hi Wolfgang! Glad to hear you enjoyed your time here.

There's been interesting debate over the years about who was here before the Maori. Some say it was the Moriori and that the Maori wiped them out. Some say the Moriori were just inhabitants of the Chatam Islands rather than all of NZ. http://www.zealand.org.nz/history.htm

An interesting debate that pops up from time to time, is that that there were ancient Celts or Europeans here long before anyone else. Have a look at http://www.celticnz.co.nz/
I have discussed this topic with a couple of archaeologists and some geologists and there's definitely something being covered up in this area. For example items have been found that are 'pre-Maori' in age and distinctly 'non-Maori' and 'non-Pacific' in design. Some key archaeological areas of interest have been restricted too. Although some things raised on the website may seem a bit farfetched, in my opinion, if there's nothing to hide, why all the fuss?

All that aside, the Maori were here before the rest of us and that is what I think does need to be taken into consideration.

Possums and rabbits are much hunted here. In some places you can get possum pie! Some other pests have been eradicated from some of the islands around NZ that are 'sanctuaries' for endangered native species. Things like stoats and ferrets love our birds eggs and create much devastation. I've seen noturnal footage of nests being destroyed an it's awful. Some footage I saw once was of a Kiwis nest and the Kiwi fought back and scared the predator off. yey!
The bush and native animals here are unique and gorgeous.

Some NZers do have a bit of an identity crisis such as that 'English' lady mentioned above. I feel we did have a typical identity up until some years ago, but we seem to be going through quite an intense social change at the moment for us to have an 'identity' as such.

Have a great day everyone.
LK

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Wolfgang
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 01:18 PM

I've the best of memories of my five weeks vacation in NZ (15 years ago), the two big islands and Stewart Island. On the way back I spent one week in Hawaii and wished I would have stayed 6 weeks in NZ instead.

The people there are extremely friendly. I like their type of humour. I like the Sauvignon Blanc from NZ more than any other wine there is on this world....(I could go on for a long time). Just three bits of many I have learned there:

How to insult a Maori? Call him aborigine. They have not been in NZ "from the origin", they only came a few hundred years before the Europeans and that's still in their collective memory. That's something I didn't know before going there.

Fossil has mentioned it implicitely: NZers have a hatred of predatory land mammals. NZ was separated from the rest of the land mass before the invention of mammals. Several of their birds therefore had no need to learn to fly or did forget how to. They have no chance against the recently introduced foxes, cats, possums. Animal rightist have a very hard time convincing NZers that these cute mammals should not be killed when found outside of a house. One more thing I didn't know before I went there.

A story: When I met an old woman in a hotel on my first night in NZ I asked her after some time whether she was from NZ. She looked at me reproachfully and said: "I'm fifth generation English living in New Zealand". She was an exception as I found out later.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 11:09 AM

Thanks, LR!

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 07:26 AM

Well LIttle Royn the timing sounds right, and the character reference sounds typical of Curly. I do believe he went there to escape his problems in the UK, so using another name might make sense.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Hrothgar
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 06:20 AM

Beautiful country, New Zealand.

It will look even better if we can knock over the Ol Blecks on Saturday night.

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Little Robyn
Date: 25 Jul 06 - 03:40 AM

Kat, if you go to the personal pages you'll find Sam's real email address.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: katlaughing
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 07:35 PM

Thanks for the link, LR. I'd like to hear all of Sam's verses! I enjoyed him so much when he was hear.

For you others, about half-way down this page is a picture os Sam and "Billy the Bus."

There's a nice article about Sam on this page. I've lost his email addy, but it looks as though he was still up and running in 2005. HeyaSam!!

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Azizi
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 05:33 PM

Taanks, Robyn for that info. It's sad, very sad. And the awful fact is, the same thing could have been written for other populations around the world.

I guess we have to keep trying to make a difference for the good however and wherever we can.

Positive vibrations!

Azizi

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Little Robyn
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 04:09 PM

Kat, Sam Sampson was in Wellington in the 60s and contributed to one of the songs written by Peter Cape, here:
http://folksong.org.nz/shellbe/index.html

Not all of Sam's verses were fit to publish but we sang his version and we have fond memories of him. I haven't heard from him for awhile either. I hope he's OK.
SAM! Are you out there!
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Lil' Kiwi
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 04:56 AM

Hiya LR,

Thanks for your post. It's pretty much along where I was intending to head but you sumed a few points up well for me :-)

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Little Robyn
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 04:48 AM

Hi Azizi, the first site you found seems to be quite good if you want to find out about NZ Maori but the second one is from a very small political party and is very biased. Please don't judge us by things you might read there and we won't judge you by anything from George Bush.
In theory, Maori have equal opportunities but somehow the kids keep falling by the wayside and there are large numbers of teenage parents, gang member wannabes and dropouts.
I don't know why this happens but I suspect there's a loss of identity - 40-50 years back many Maori lived in family areas, coastal or inland remote country areas but after WW2 the drift to the cities started and the result was that young people lost their family support. Those people married and had families (often mixed Maori/Pakeha) and their kids didn't have much grounding in their own culture. Young people today are the children of that second generation and schools are really only just getting into teaching Kapa Haka (and only to those that choose to learn their culture - it's not considered 'cool' to some).
I don't know if you've heard of a film called "Once were warriors", about a dysfunctional Maori family, where Dad is often drunk and beats up Mum and the kids, there's never enough money and the one with the meanest fists is the big boss. Yes, it's a story but so many families have backgrounds like this.
Right now a major news story here is about 3month-old twin boys who were murdered by someone in their extended family, bashed around the head and with broken bones - and they'd been in the premature unit at hospital for the first month or two anyway. The family seem to be more interested in partying and no-one so far has owned up to the crime. There are 12 possible baby bashers in that family but they've closed ranks.
Many Maori kids try to follow American gang patterns and Rap music is often their music of choice. Many are out of control and drugs or alcohol are often to blame. Petty crime is rife.
In yesterday's news, a 14 year-old girl has spent a night or two in a police cell recently because she was picked up very drunk, the welfare people won't touch her while she's drunk and the police couldn't locate her family - heaven only knows where they are right now.
I'm hoping that the kids who are being encouraged to learn their own culture will have a stronger sense of where they belong, not feel as if they are inferior, and if they believe in themselves, maybe they can become achievers.
But I'm not holding my breath!
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Lil' Kiwi
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 04:40 AM

Hiya Arnie,

unfortunately UV here is that bad. I have a Celtic tan (ie: I'm a pale whitey) and when I burn - it doesn't take long, some times all you need is 10 to 15mins anytime between 10am til3pm or so and it's reeeeeally bad! :-(

Guest, Fossil in NZ - howdy mate! Where in NZ are you?

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 04:38 AM

Peace, Shame on you. The Scots have a corner on THAT market.

You know the difference between Mick Jagger and a Scottish hill farmer?

One sings 'Hey, you, get of a my cloud'

The other shouts 'Hey, MacCloud, get of a my ewe'

I am more and more convinced to go and visit LK. Be afraid. Very afraid...

:D (tG)

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Arnie
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 04:24 AM

Lil' Kiwi - my mate from Kent (UK) has just got back from touring NZ in a camper van - a popular pursuit in NZ I believe. He said that the countryside and scenery are fantastic but everytime he went out without a hat, a local would shout at him to cover up due the danger of UV because of the hole in the ozone layer. Is it really that much of a problem?? Does it worry you down there?

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Little Robyn
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 04:05 AM

Hi Giok, the only Curly I know of within the NZ folk scene was Curly del Monte, a cockney who came out here in the 60s and ran a folk club in Auckland called Poles Apart.
He died a few years back but he certainly was a character and had quite an influence on the folk scene - not always good!
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: GUEST,Fossil in NZ
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 03:24 AM

Well, I've lived here for the last 9 months and I love it! Yes, the scenery is fantastic, yes you can see most if not all of the LOTR locations, and a stunning trek it is too. Yes the people are friendly and helpful to a fault. The sailing is superb as is the wine.

But, bugger, it can be very cold in the winter and they haven't found out about central heating yet.

Ways you know you're getting kiwi-fied
1) You take your running shoes off when you go in the house as they'd be too formal,
2) You go out to a restaurant dinner wearing shorts and carrying your own bottle of wine,
3) You've killed a possum (*real* Kiwis do it with 4x2's, I did it with a car),
4) You've bought a guitar on TradeMe and forgotten about eBay

Anyway, any 'Catters wanting to visit should not hesitate. another bonus - particularly for Brits and Americans - is that it's a low-cost economy, so your money goes a long way, if you avoid the more obvious tourist traps and stay out of the hotels. Backpacking is the way to go.

And thanks to all the Kiwis in the folk music scene here who have helped me get into it. (The scene, incidentally is thriving mightily... almost too many gigs, blackboard concerts, singalongs and festivals to get round in the average guy's working week).

Don't hesitate if you have ever thought about a visit, or even emigrating.

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Lil' Kiwi
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 11:40 PM

Thanks Kat,

Sam seems like a grat bloke. Stewart Island is one of the few places I haven't been to myself in NZ. We did have alot of US Soldiers here during WW2 and there are many stories of later reunions of friendships made during that era.

One of my favorite NZ made movies is 'Meet the Feebles' it's an early Peter Jackson movie and it's pretty twisted humor. This of a Muppets movie but add the bad taste of something like South Park. The final scene is a hippo on a rampage with a machine gun in a theatre while a fox sings the closing number to the show which is a song about sodomy.....

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 11:24 PM

Hi, Lil' Kiwi.

New Zealand has always had a special place in my family's heart as New Zealanders took care of my uncle for a year after he was gravely wounded during WWII. He was not allowed to come home (USA) until he healed up. Many years later, he and my aunt went back to visit the families and others with whom he'd become friends. I saw his slides of the trip and it was beautiful, but what struck me more was how he talked about the people...to a one they were kind and welcoming. I've heard similar from a couple I know who went there to visit relatives and *tramped* (they love to hike and camp out) all over to various scenic sights.

More, recently, I've had a wonderful time with a Mudcatter, Billy the Bus, who unfortunately hasn't been around lately. His real name is Sam Sampson and he drives a tour bus on Stewart Island. You may learn a bit more about him and read the lyrics to a couple of songs by CLICKING HERE. He is quite the storyteller. To read some of his postings, go to the drop down menu for Quick Links, scroll down to Old Adv.Forum Search and click on it. Then put in "Billy the Bus" in the member box and see what comes up.

I consider two movies about New Zealand to be two of my very favourites: Once Were Warriors and Whale Rider.

Thanks for letting us know more about your country and culture. Such threads are a big part of what makes Mudcat so special, imo.

All the best,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Azizi
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 10:00 PM

Okay. Thanks you all for giving me the scoop of the reasons for Daylight Saving Time.

I appreciate the reason though when it ends, for a while it still feels like everybody's being cheated out of an hour.

****

Btw-Lil' Kiwi, I guess you weren't tryin to do this, but your name reminds me of the rapper Lil' Kim. So it rap your thang?

:o}

I don't know what happened with that hyperlink for the George Burns, Gracie Allen show. I'll try again and also try fixing the link that Lil' Kiwi posted too.

I hope these links work:

http://www.tikitouring.co.nz/hobbiton-matamata.htm

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/1836/main.html TheGeorge Burns And Gracie Allen Show

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Azizi
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 09:49 PM

Sorry. i meant about a 5 hour drive by car...not 5 hours in a clock sense.

Does that make more sense or did I muddy things up even more? I hope not.

I'm waiting for somebody to say "Say goodnite Gracie"...And then I'd say "Good night".

Oh, no! That might be an Americanism that folks elsewhere may not get. See, there was this television show [in the 1950s?] featuring the comedy team of {dead pan humorous} George Burns, and his {ditzy} real life wife Gracie Allen. At the end of their show, they'd do this dialogue and Gracie would go off on a tangent or make some statements that were-well "ditzy". And finally George would say to Gracie "Say Goodnite, Gracie" and she would say "Goodnite" and that would be the end of the show-at least that's what I remember {I was a kid so what do I know?}

Confused? I guess you 'had to be there'. Though this is clearly off-topic, you can visit this website if you wanna learn more about that show that is the source of that particular American saying:

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/1836/main.html

I bet no one can top this for an off-topic tangent in a thread.

Not that I'm trying for a record or anything!

:o)

Best wishes!

Azizi

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Lil' Kiwi
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 09:44 PM

http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Resource-material-Information-We-Provide-About-Daylight-Saving?OpenDocument

A long winded link but it's the NZ governments info and background on daylight savings. Basically it's gives us an 'extra hour' of light in the summer. Quite a nonevent for myself - I'm up when I'm up and sleep when I sleep (lately seldom before 3am).

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Peace
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 09:39 PM

It has been interpreted to help save energy costs because at certain times of the year people do not have to have their lights on as long.

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Azizi
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 09:35 PM

Interesting. Thanks very much for those comments, Bob.

I look forward to learning more about not only the cultures of indigenous peoples in Australia and in New Zealand, but also about the political, social conditions they are experiencing.

Real life experiences, information & insights such as those Mudcatters share are an important part of that learning.

****

Not that this is important, but I live in Pittsburgh, Penn. USA- about 5 hours from Mudcat Central-where Max lives. Therefore I use the same time that Mudcat uses-Eastern Standard Time {with Daylight Saving Time thrown in].

Btw, that "spring forward/fall back" saying helps me to remember what to do when it is or isn't Daylight Saving Time...when its DST you 'spring forward' meaning, you have to set clocks 1 hour ahead. When DST is over, you have to "fall back", meaning set clocks 1 hour earlier.

I've been told the Canadians invented Daylight Saving Time. Every year-the first week at least that DST is over-I feel like I'm being cheated out of an hour each day. Then I get use to the time, and then DST comes all over again.

Frankly, I can't understand why we need Daylight Saving Time in the first place . I guess it benefits somebody rich or else it wouldn't still be imposed on folks year after year.

Mini-rant over.

Best wishes,

Azizi

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 09:13 PM

G'day Azizi,

Lil' Kiwi's time zone is about as far from yours as possible. If you are on US Pacific time - Lil' Kiwi is 16 hours ahead, nestling up against the Western side of the International Date Line. Just across the line (American Samoa ... ?) is now 7 hours behind you!

The general statement that "... Right now the Maori are just like anyone else in terms of how they are treated ..." has a degree of truth. In law, they are equal - but, in practice, they are not as well off as the population of European descent. That said, they are a lot better off that Australia's Aboriginal population ... at least the Maori won a number of battles against the invaders - and, so won a treaty. Our Native People have no such treaty - and the incumbent Federal government has not intention of changing that "because it might legitimise various legal claims".

We came close to legal overthrow of the specious Terra Nullius precept, which held that Australia belonged to nobody (... under British law ...) at the time of colonisation with the favourable decision in the "Mabo vs. Queensland" - a decision welcomed, even by 'white' landholders who could now proceed to achieve a better balance ... but this Conservative government has overthrown the decision ... and has no intention of admitting any aspect of prior claim.

Regards,

Bob

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Azizi
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 08:23 PM

Okay!!!

But by the time you get home, 7 hours from now, I'll be sleeping and then will get to start my Monday.

What a wonderful thing this Internet is-instant communicating with people throughout the world!

I love it!

Subject: RE: BS: NZ Topics
From: Lil' Kiwi
Date: 23 Jul 06 - 08:00 PM

I do work Sundays, however it's just gone noon on Monday, and I'm online as soon as I get home from work in general. So I'm keen to answer the q's for you :-)