Free Travel Newsletter : June 2011
Written by Steph Kendall
Brought to you by New Zealand Tourism Guide www.tourism.net.nz.
Lucky Subscriber
Congratulations to Ryan Burks from the USA, this month's lucky Free Travel Newsletter subscriber, winning "The Ultimate New Zealand DVD".
Last month we highlighted the Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand during September and October. During these months, you'll also notice events and experiences being held nationwide that celebrate everything that is quintessentially Kiwi. A great time to be here, but even if your visit doesn't coincide with the rugby, you'll still experience the very best of New Zealand wherever you go.
Find out about:
- REAL New Zealand Festival, 9th September – 23rd October 2011
- Whitebait - New Zealand's Favourite Fish
- Off the Beaten Track to... Kororipo-Kerikeri Basin
- Send a E-Postcard from New Zealand
- New Zealand Fast Facts
REAL New Zealand Festival, 9th September – 23rd October
The REAL New Zealand festival is a nationwide celebration of all things quintessentially Kiwi – this, the largest festival in the country is timed to coincide with the six weeks of Rugby World Cup 2011. Events and experiences will include music, entertainment, sports, arts, food and wine festivals, boat shows, theatre and much, much more...(more)
Whitebait – New Zealand's Favourite Fish
If you are offered a plate of whitebait in New Zealand, then you will experience the taste of what is commonly-regarded as one of the country's most prized delicacies. Do not expect, however, to enjoy whitebait 'European style' (e.g. small, whole herrings) – to the uninitiated, New Zealand whitebait can bear a strong resemblance to slimy, translucent worms...(more)
Off the Beaten Track to... Kororipo-Kerikeri Basin
Satisfy the historian within with a side trip to the Kororipo-Kerikeri Basin on the North Island's east coast. This area is not only scenically beautiful offering great picnicking and walks, but culturally and historically it is one of the important places in New Zealand, as this is where the country's two major cultures first met, lived, worked and traded together...(more)
Send a E-Postcard from New Zealand
You can choose from over 25 New Zealand postcard designs on the New Zealand Tourism Guide website including activities (bungy jumping, golf, hiiking, jetboating, kayaking, skiing and mountain biking), regions (Abel Tasman, Auckland, Canterbury, Fiordland, Franz Josef, Kaikoura, Otago, Queenstown, Rotorua, Wanaka, Wellington and the West Coast) and iconic Kiwi culture (sheep, haka, All Blacks and the hongi greeting). Once you've picked your picture, simply fill in the postcard and send – no postage required.
Take your pick from our New Zealand postcards.
New Zealand Fast Facts
Ta moko is the traditional and sacred marking worn by Māori people in New Zealand. Originally designs were carved onto the skin using chisels made from albatross bones (distinct from the puncturing of the skin associated with tattooing). Receiving moko was a rite of passage with men receiving moko on their faces, buttocks and thighs. Women usually wore moko on their lips and chins. Since 1990 there has been a resurgence of ta moko in New Zealand, applied by both tattoo machines and chisels.
True moko is considered sacred and misappropriation by non-Māori is considered to be offensive. Hence the promotion of the term kirituhi, meaning 'drawn skin' and refers to a design with a Māori flavour rather than spiritual and traditional markings.