Story and Photos by Lynley Capon
(Second of Three Parts)

Editor's Note: Originally from New Zealand, the writer is a frequent traveller who admires beauty in her surroundings. Recently, she returned for a fresh look at her homeland.

NEW ZEALAND – Being a scenic place full of thrilling activities, this country enjoys a well-deserved reputation as a thrill-seeker's paradise. Visitors arrive in droves, even from the most distant places.

Then they indulge in bungee jumping, white-water rafting, paragliding, jet-boating, scuba diving, sailing, surfing and more. They seek out the many walking trails, mountain-bike routes, whale-watching tours, ski slopes, mountains to climb and rivers to kayak. Tourism contributes a massive 10 per cent of the GDP.

No slouches, New Zealanders love sports too. The All Blacks have achieved rugby fame. For women, the leading sports are hockey (played on a field, not ice) and netball. Usually, New Zealand battles Australia for netball supremacy.

Every Saturday, the parks fill with young New Zealanders playing netball, rugby, soccer and hockey. Some people call sports the leading religion, making Saturday a holy day. In contrast, attending Sunday church services has become less common. Only 15 per cent of New Zealanders deem themselves church-goers.

But never underestimate the arts and creative talent. New Zealand's four million people include many writers, poets, artists, composers and musicians. At popular festivals, people celebrate all forms of art. What better summer entertainment than music in a park followed by fireworks? Up to 100,000 people throng to such events.

New Zealand opera singers, inventors, athletes, academics and politicians have starred on world stages. After splitting the atom, Ernest Rutherford received the 1908 Nobel Prize for chemistry. In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Nepal's Tensing Norgay became the first people to conquer Mount Everest. Four years later, Hillary made more history as the first person to reach the South Pole on a motor-driven vehicle, a Massey Ferguson tractor. At about the same time, farmer William Hamilton invented the jet-boat motor. In 1964, Peter Snell set a world record by running a mile in less than four minutes. At the 1976 Montreal Olympics, another runner, John Walker, set a 1,500-metre world record.

By nature, New Zealanders prove resilient and innovative, traits inherited from their British ancestors. Museums chronicle the past with historic items. Granted, the history looks short compared to Europe's. In 1779, Captain James Cook of England became the first seafarer to chart New Zealand. But the indigenous Maori people had arrived 800 years ago.

Warriors, the Maori consisted of many tribes that fiercely fought each other. The arrival of white men transformed their lifestyles. In 1840, the British signed the Treaty of Waitangi promising Maori land rights and other concessions. But after years of war and strife, the white men took over, and the Maori struggled to cope in a new social environment. Treaty terms fell by the wayside, and a tribunal still deals with the abuses. Many land tracts and resources have returned to the Maori. Monetary compensation in the millions has been paid.

Like indigenous people elsewhere, the Maori linger low on the socio-economic ladder. They endure crime, child abuse, drug addictions and alcohol problems. Just 15 per cent of the nation's population, they account for 60 per cent of its prison inmates.

As warrior attitudes persist, the Maori often live in violent gangs. A powerful book, Once Were Warriors (made into a movie in 1994) by Maori author Alan Duff, portrays the distress of Maori urban lives.

Government policies aim to help the Maori people. Clearly, the Maori, who have equal opportunities, need to take personal responsibility.

As a proud New Zealander, I highly recommend for travelers to visit the place. No matter what tourists like, they should find plenty of pleasures.


Previously Published:

Land of Beauty Leads the Way Each Day


Coming Next:

What Prettier Place on the Planet?




Rugby ruckus: Saturday games in a park.



Kaikoura Beach: time to set sail?



Many moms reckon that New Zealand
makes a fine place to raise a family.



River in the rain: thrill seekers may get wet.


ARCHIVES