Blue boat sheds on the wharf of AkaroaWe have checked in for our flight home tomorrow and I have to admit that I am looking forward to living out of a wardrobe again. Despite this, we keep talking about our next visit(s) to New Zealand.
We feel as though we can’t leave this land of unremitting beauty behind us without a mental promise to return.
Here’s a short list of our favourite things about New Zealand:
1 The people are light-hearted, unassuming, friendly, witty and considerate.
2 The founding national document is a treaty with the Māori people. If only Australia had anything like that with the Indigenous people of our land.
3 The libraries that stand in the CBDs of all major cities and towns provide safe welcoming spaces, along with learning and social opportunities. Anyone can enter: students, tired travellers and people who are down on their luck. I believe that this is evidence of sheer human decency on a large scale.
4 This country offers more beauty per cubic metre than I’ve ever before encountered, from rugged mountains to rolling hills, from lakes to fiords, from wildlife to wildflowers, from birds to birdsong. It’s like exploring paradise.
5 The Murdoch press no longer exists here. We noticed that there are a number of local papers still in existence, such as The Otago Daily Times and The Greymouth Star.
6 After a long period in which the Māori language lost ground, partially through repressive policies in the first half of the 20th century, it has made a comeback, thanks to activism in the 1970s and 80s and continued commitment in modern times. Now all signs are in both English and Māori. If you’re a New Zealander, even one living in Australia, you can undertake a free course to learn the Māori language.
7 The range of cakes, muffins, slices, scones, rolls, pastries and pies has to be seen and tasted to be believed. We would be rolling back across the Tasman Sea if we hadn’t walked so much.
8 The mobile coverage is remarkably widespread and reliable, even in remote areas such as Mount Cook National Park. We bought prepaid e-sims through this company and they worked seamlessly.
9 The people who oversee and work in the tourist industry seem to be dynamic, friendly and professional.
10 Everything tastes good here, including basics like water and milk. The variety of exotic restaurant cuisines is remarkable in such a small country.
What a lovely, happy place it is. I’m so glad that we live right next door.
Love from Rosi 🖤🤍
