New Zealand

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Hello, Greetings, Kia ora, Talofa!

Hello from New Zealand,
This is the Tokoroa, New Zealand Public Library. As you can see by the sign we can pay a fee to use their computers to use the Internet. This is a modern library but it is not very big.
The colourful designs on the poles are Maori type designs, but these are the more modern versions with many colours and patterns.

Here is the Tokoroa Courthouse where criminal cases and other things are sorted out.
Sorry about the dates on the photos as I forgot to set it on the camera. But I hope you like the photos anyway.
The people who live in Tokoroa are of many races. So this is a multicultural town.
The main language spoken here is New Zealand English, but some other languages can sometimes be heard such as Maori, and some of the native languages of the islanders who come from (or their families come from) the island that are close to New Zealand like Samoa, Fiji, etc. The most common language other than New Zealand English is Maori.

This is a map of Tokoroa. As you can see there are not many streets, but it can be a busy little town.

Tokoroa - Toko - pole - roa - long. It was also said to be the name of a Maori Chief who was killed as he led his people against the British in the mid 1800s.
In the photo above you can see some of the carved poles that are to be seen in downtown Tokoroa. There are many farms around Tokoroa and many, many pine trees. Not far from Tokoroa is the paper mill.
Tokoroa is in The South Waikato and is within easy reach of some of the most scenic stretches on the Waikato River. The well-stocked lakes and rivers offer excellent trout fishing, boating, water skiing and yachting. Or simply enjoy a walk round Lake Moana-nui, by Matarawa Stream or you can enjoy the scenery from the lookout on Colson's Hill. This year Tokoroa, much like other parts of New Zealand, has been subjected to much hot weather and this has caused a rather dry Summer. Thankfully much rain has come down over this area over the last few weeks bringing some life back to the suffering grass and other plant life that have struggled to survive in such hot weather.
Here is a Google Map of Tokoroa:

Here are more poles that are built into the ground for display. These "talking poles" represent the many cultures in Tokoroa.
The population in Tokoroa is about 15,063 according to the 2006 census. There are many scenic reserves around Tokoroa, and some nice lakes. By the way the Tokoroa lake, Moana-Nui, is an artificial lake, it is not a natural lake.
It has a spill-way and over this the water pours and then onto a narrow stream. Tokoroa is close to some popular tourism destinations, like Rotorua, Waitomo and Taupo.

Here is some drawings that have been painted onto the side of a building.
Art is very important in New Zealand. There is the native Maori art which can be found all over the country and other art.
A good place to visit to see Maori art is Rotorua: http://www.rotoruanz.com/
Tokoroa is located 30 km southwest of Rotorua.

Here is another photo of the same building art shown in the previous photo.
Here we clearly see what was the main industry in Tokoroa which was the Kinlieth Paper Mill.
In recent times there have been many redundancies at Kinlieth and many paper machines have been shut down and sold.
So not that many people work out there anymore.
In the photo you can see a logging truck and a log stacker loading the logging truck and many pine trees.

Hello from New Zealand, This is the Tokoroa, New Zealand Public Library. As you can see by the sign we can pay a fee to use their computers to use the Internet. This is a modern library but it is not very big. The colourful designs on the poles are Maori type designs, but these are the more modern versions with many colours and patterns. Here is the Tokoroa Courthouse where criminal cases and other things are sorted out. Sorry about the dates on the photos as I forgot to set it on the camera. But I hope you like the photos anyway. The people who live in Tokoroa are of many races. So this is a multicultural town. The main language spoken here is New Zealand English, but some other languages can sometimes be heard such as Maori, and some of the native languages of the islanders who come from (or their families come from) the island that are close to New Zealand like Samoa, Fiji, etc. The most common language other than New Zealand English is Maori. This is a map of Tokoroa. As you can see there are not many streets, but it can be a busy little town. Tokoroa - Toko - pole - roa - long. It was also said to be the name of a Maori Chief who was killed as he led his people against the British in the mid 1800s. In the photo above you can see some of the carved poles that are to be seen in downtown Tokoroa. There are many farms around Tokoroa and many, many pine trees. Not far from Tokoroa is the paper mill. Tokoroa is in The South Waikato and is within easy reach of some of the most scenic stretches on the Waikato River. The well-stocked lakes and rivers offer excellent trout fishing, boating, water skiing and yachting. Or simply enjoy a walk round Lake Moana-nui, by Matarawa Stream or you can enjoy the scenery from the lookout on Colson's Hill. This year Tokoroa, much like other parts of New Zealand, has been subjected to much hot weather and this has caused a rather dry Summer. Thankfully much rain has come down over this area over the last few weeks bringing some life back to the suffering grass and other plant life that have struggled to survive in such hot weather. Here is a Google Map of Tokoroa: Here are more poles that are built into the ground for display. These "talking poles" represent the many cultures in Tokoroa. The population in Tokoroa is about 15,063 according to the 2006 census. There are many scenic reserves around Tokoroa, and some nice lakes. By the way the Tokoroa lake, Moana-Nui, is an artificial lake, it is not a natural lake. It has a spill-way and over this the water pours and then onto a narrow stream. Tokoroa is close to some popular tourism destinations, like Rotorua, Waitomo and Taupo. Here is some drawings that have been painted onto the side of a building. Art is very important in New Zealand. There is the native Maori art which can be found all over the country and other art. A good place to visit to see Maori art is Rotorua: http://www.rotoruanz.com/ Tokoroa is located 30 km southwest of Rotorua. Here is another photo of the same building art shown in the previous photo. Here we clearly see what was the main industry in Tokoroa which was the Kinlieth Paper Mill. In recent times there have been many redundancies at Kinlieth and many paper machines have been shut down and sold. So not that many people work out there anymore. In the photo you can see a logging truck and a log stacker loading the logging truck and many pine trees.

More Poles...

Above are some more examples of the poles to be seen in the town streets in Tokoroa.
New Zealand is often referred to as Aotearoa = Long white cloud which is the Maori name for New Zealand.

Some of my favorite books to read about New Zealand history are the writings of James West Stack (1835–1919).
He was born in New Zealand and he wrote of his adventures with the Maori people and how he liked them and tried to help the Maori people come to grips with life with white people.
http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/S/StackJamesWest/StackJamesWest/en

The results of a storm in northern New Zealand.

Below are photos of a tree and some photos of the lake in Tokoroa, New Zealand.
This lake is called Moana-nui.

Some more photos of lake Moana-nu here in Tokoroa, North Island, New Zealand.

New Zealand Air Force:

These are some students visiting the NZRAF base.

Tracy Sandbrook was with these students.

The Maori people left their homeland in the central Pacific to settle in Aotearoa, land of the long white cloud - New Zealand.
As far as we know the first European to arrive in New Zealand was Abel Tasman in 1642.
The great Captain James Cook was to arrive later and he and his crew comprehensively mapped the New Zealand coastline. Joseph Banks, made many superb drawings and watercolours of New Zealand landscapes, flora and fauna giving us an idea today of what plants were around at the time of Captain James Cooks visit. The Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840 by some Maori chiefs and the Crown to declare New Zealand a British colony.

The Haka is part of the All Blacks (NZ Rugby Team) game, most people are amazed by the Haka when they see it for the first time, some other New Zealand sports use
the Haka before a game, although the All Blacks are famous for the Haka they preform before an International game of rugby. The Haka was a preliminary to a fight between Maori tribes and was a challenge to the opposing tribe.

The Maori people of old and even sometimes in these modern times greet each other with a Hongi which is to press noses together, it is a formal greeting.
Reo is the language of the Maori people.

A garden in Tokoroa, NZ.

I am not a Maori person, but I have lived in New Zealand all my life and as a New Zealander I have picked up many Maori words during my life.
Here in New Zealand we learn some of the Maori language in schools as well.

A park across the road from the Countdown supermarket.

More building art to be found in Tokoroa:

Maori mythology:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ori_mythology

The legend of Maui and the magic fishhook:
This is a story that many New Zealand people know:
http://history-nz.org/maori9.html

New Zealand People:
Sir Ernest Rutherford (First to split the atom).
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa (Opera).
John Walker (Athletics).
John Britten (Britten Motorcycles).
Dame Susan Devoy.

Sir Edmund Hillary (First to climb Mount Everest).
Many people tried to climb Mount Everest, many did not make it to the summit (top). Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
In 1952 some Swiss climbers tried and they nearly made it, at about 230 m from the top they stopped because they were so tired.
Tenzing Norgay was with these Swiss climbers, Tenzing was a Sherpa and he was later to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

Edmund Hillary with Tenzing Norgay made history when they reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. They were with a party of
British climbers. The date was 28th May, 1953. Many climbers have climbed Mount Everest since 1953.

Here is a movie about Sir Edmund Hillary: Edmund Hillary returns to New Zealand, 1953
http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/video/edmund-hillary-returns

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Susan Devoy.
Susan Devoy had 9 unbroken years as the world's number one women's squash player.
Four times world champion (1985, 1987, 1990, 1992).
British Open champion eight times.
New Zealand Open Champion eight times. Susan Devoy is a true New Zealand and International champion.

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Richard Hadlee. Born 3rd July 1951.
Sir Donald Bradman while describing Richard Hadlee said "Richard Hadlee is
a left handed batsman who likes to hit the ball very hard. He is an accurate
right arm swing and seam bowler with a good technique and fluent action, with an economic approach to the crease."
Richard Hadlee had a nickname from intermediate school, they called him "Paddles"
because of his large feet.
Sir Richard Hadlee K.B.E., M.B.E.
Some statistics follow:
World record 10 wickets in a match 9 times .
World record 5 wickets in a test innings 36 times.
First class runs - 12,052 runs at an average of 31.17.
Highest test score of 151 not out against Sri Lanka.
Catches in tests - 38.
Played 86 test matches and 115 one-day internationals.

The fern is a well known emblem connected with New Zealand.
http://www.nzflag.com/silverfern.cfm
Many of New Zealand sports people wear a small fern on their clothing to show that they come from New Zealand and that they are representing our country in whatever sport they take part in. The Kiwi bird is also a symbol of New Zealand.

New Zealand People:
Neil Finn - Born 27 May 1958 in Te Awamutu, New Zealand.

Neil and his older brother Tim grew up with a musical and Catholic family.
Tim started the group Split Enz and Neil joined the group later. Neil wrote the song "I got you" and other hits for Split Enz.
Later on Tim left Split Enz and Neil and the rest of the group continued for a short time after until they finally split up.
Neil went to Los Angeles in 1985 and formed the group The Mullanes, which they changed the name to Crowded House.
The song "Don't Dream It's Over" reached No. 2 on the US Billboard charts, you may have heard the song.

I would like to show you a New Zealand post card, the type of card that can be sent to friends and family when you are on a holiday in New Zealand, or what a New
Zealander would send to a friend overseas.

Here is a scan of a New Zealand post card:

Note the Maori designs on the top of the post card.

The image is of The Bath House which is in Rotorua.

The text on the back of the post card is this:
=============================================
Travel to Rotorua and you'll hit the thermal springs country - and The Bath House, opened in 1908 as a spa
offering therapeutic bathing, mud and massage treatments to people 'taking the cure'. International visitors of
the area included Crown Princess Louise of Sweden, George Bernard Shaw, Prime Minister Stephen Ward,
Clive Hulme VC and the Duke of Bedford.

Today, The Bath House is home to the Rotorua Museum of Art and History Te Whare o Te Arowa.
=============================================
This post card comes from The New Zealand Post.

Here is a New Zealand stamp:

You can see that the stamp has the same image on it that the post card has on it.

History of New Zealand Coinage:
http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/currency/Money/0094086.html

This is the web site of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand's three main functions are: operating monetary policy to maintain price stability;
promoting the maintenance of a sound and efficient financial system; and meeting the currency needs of the public.
http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/index.html

For those wishing to know more about the Maori language and wanting to learn how to speak this language
you can try this web site: How to Pronounce Maori:
http://www.maorilanguage.net/pronounce/index.cfm

The Maori Language web site:
http://www.maorilanguage.net/

“You don’t have to be a fantastic hero to do certain things – to compete. You can be just an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated.” - Sir Edmund Hillary.

Pokarekare Ana is my favorite Maori song. We used to sing it at school when I was young and I have always liked the song ever since.
Please go to this link to learn more about this song: http://folksong.org.nz/pokarekare/index.html
There is also a link to download examples of the song. Use your web browsers Find to search for this name: Sound clips, or look for it as you scroll down the web page.
The different versions are by the world famous Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Inia Te Wiata, New York soprano Marie-Adele McArthur (Ngati Te Whatuiapiti), the Newlyn Male Choir, from near Penzance in Cornwall, England, etc. A lot of information is on the web page about the song, so it is interesting to read.

Another good song is Poi-E which had lyrics by Ngoi Pewhairangi and music by Dalvanius Prime 1982. It has a good beat and is sung well, lots of good feelings seem to be in
the song. http://folksong.org.nz/poi_e/index.html

At the bottom of the web page are some writeups about the creators of the song Maui Carlyle Dalvanius Prime, 1948-2002 and Ngoi Pewhairangi 1921-1985.

On the web page you will see that you can watch a movie of the Patea Maori Club singing the song. Note the clothing of the singers and the bird calls at the beginning of
the song. Also note the Maori carvings on the buildings. This is a good movie for you to see some of New Zealand and some Maori people singing, having some fun, and their traditional
and non-traditional clothing etc. You will notice that the people are swinging around some strange looking balls, this is called Poi juggling according to this web page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poi_(juggling)

Here is another interesting page about this subject called Poi Toa – “Warrior Poi” - The history of Poi Toa: http://history-nz.org/poi.html

This web page has another movie which is an example of short and long Poi used in dance - Maori kapahaka.
http://www.homeofpoi.com/articles/History_of_Poi_NewZealand.php

As children in New Zealand many of us have had a play with these and many children learn how to use them and also make them. Have a go and try and make some for your children if
you like. They are great fun to use and it is fun learning how to use them. Look at the web pages links that I have provided for more information. This would make a good school or homeschooling class subject with some study about the Maori people (I have given you plenty of Internet links and information for this) and then the children make a poi or two and then learn how to use them. Or you can make them at home with your own family just for fun.

How to Make Homemade Practice Poi: http://www.instructables.com/id/EZ5TYRCKEVEPU7AA21/

Try out Poi. It’s the portable boredom buster: http://www.sparc.org.nz/getting-active/push-play-day/action-packs/5

Also there is E Ipo, tune Indonesian, lyrics Ngoi Pewhairangi,1982: http://folksong.org.nz/e_ipo/index.html

I hope you enjoy all this information and do try to make a poi.