Don't Forget A Kiwi Gift From NZ

Welcome to New Zealand, Aotearoa, land of the long white cloud, and home to a heap of Kiwis from NZ. I know that the kiwi, while it is our traditional bird, is a flightless ground dweller, but that asserts small about the people who from NZ who live in this stunning country. Maybe at about that point I should say that the kiwi actually is a beautiful bird, and to see one in the wild, or even in prison, is an awe-inspiring event.

Ok, so now I am distracted by the kiwi. Where was I? Ok, Kiwis, the residents of New Zealand, AKA the youngest country on the planet.... We actually are a fascinating bunch, and I say that in the best possible way, and to come to New Zealand is to not only enjoy the jaw-dropping scenery, but also to meet some very cool folk.

Hence let's dive right into it. What exactly is Kiwi culture, putting races and folks groups apart, let's see what makes Kiwis tick.

We have to start with rugby, which was introduced to New Zealand in May 1870. The first game of rugby was organised in Nelson and from that point rugby has been a sport which New Zealand has dominated at. For years Kiwis have been rugby nutty, and it's been each small boy's ambition to grow up and become an All Black. The AB's are a nationwide icon and whenever they lose a major game the whole nation goes into mourning.

regionally, you can expect pretty much every city and city 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 ; city against city, province against province and occasionally even bro against bro. I can speak from experience as I am currently the substitute for a local third division team which is truly 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 must, as is the post match event crammed with beers and game stories.

perhaps one of the most recognisable things about rugby is the short shorts that 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 ole Kiwi bloke wearing two stubbies, outwardly indifferent to the cold. I cannot say that I usually support this symbol of Kiwi culture, but i have been known to put on a pair even when I'm not playing rugby. Perhaps it's good for working on my leg tan.

I guess while we are speaking around sports it would be fair to say another growing sport from NZ, which, while it hasn't liked the countrywide popularity of rugby yet, it is definitely increasing in popularity. The game is football ( or football dependent on where you come from ) and the most recent success of the New Zealand All Whites and Wellington Phoenix truly has boosted it in the country's eyes. Bring on the football World Cup and the future of football from NZ. Soccer actually is an amazing sport and for the more youthful generation is just as popular to play on the weekend as is rugby, so don't be shocked to see a rugby match being played alongside a soccer match when you visit that local sports park.

Kiwis are really not restricted to rugby and soccer, however. We excel in sailing, cycling, endurance races, golf, basketball, canoeing, horse-racing, growing, cricket and netball. These sports can be discovered all over New Zealand in some degree and this all goes to show that Kiwis aren't only rugby nutty, but sports loony generally. Other sports that can be found are tennis, table tennis, bowls, boule, badminton, volleyball, squash, and athletics, not to mention all of the self defence faculties around.

okay, so perhaps everything is not centred on sports from NZ. We are a fun-loving gift givingnation, but our work ethic is exceedingly high and globally recognized. Maybe you've heard of Kiwi ingenuity, also known as No. Eight wire mind-set? We are definitely a nation that believes in just getting in and doing it, irrespective of what the stumbling blocks. If nevertheless , there are stumbling blocks then expect your average Kiwi to and speedily come up with a solution or some ingenious way to get round the problem using unconventional means and whatever is available at the time. It'll usually be to a high standard and achieve what is required.

Buy a kiwi gift from NZ at http:www.noozealand.co.nz.