KiwiNewZ NewsZine - July 1998

Greetings Ecotravellers. Well the days are getting longer and we're still waiting for that big dump of the white stuff. Queenstown is in the middle of Winter Festival and ski fields are having to make do with man made snow. Everyone is enjoying the frosty mornings and sun shiny days but a big dump of snow overnight would make them all the more sweeter.

This months lucky winner of a furry Kiwi (oldies don't exclude yourselves from this competition the kiwi maybe furry but it's not really a fluffy toy as we know it, suitable as a keyring and for all ages we think) was Susanne Peck from Moerfelden-Walldorf in Germany. Congratulations Susanne, your Kiwi is "winging" its way over.

If you would like to enter our competition to win a free kiwi then slide on over.

>====================== New Address for KiwiNewZ

KiwiNewZ and Snowcam hit the big time this week when Evan made the national television news. The week before it was the Sunday Tabloid, Sunday News and NZ Skier Magazine. So as with all good websites hits have increased dramatically and Ev got so excited he's set up a new (whatever you call them) www.KiwiNewZ.com so the address isn't so long. Don't worry, you can still access our KiwiNewZ website through our old address if you have it bookmarked...

>====================== >Newz in Brief >======================

Our apologies to 'John Blair' (whoever he is) for confusing him with Tony Blair the English Prime Minister, and thank you to subscriber Richard Nelson from Norfolk in England who pointed that faux pas out. As he said all politicians appear the same after a while. Although one red haired Australian politician could definitely be accused of being a little unique with her redneck, yellow suited appearance and policies. It could only happen in Ostraya.

>====================== More on Piranha Pauline

Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party recently won 11 seats in the Queensland state parliament, former home to Dannevirke, NZ born Sir Joh Bejelke-Petersen a man with similar nationalist tastes and policies. Causing grave concern that the Hanson Phenomenon (white supremist, anti Asian immigration, anti Aboriginal, protectionist party) could destroy the present Howard Government by securing the balance of power in the senate, should an early election be called. "Call me deranged and you're calling a lot of Australian's deranged", trembled Hanson when Howard attacked her Queensland election speech.

Miraculously Hanson has the support of thousands of ordinary Aussies just wanting 'a fair go and a bright future for their kids'... And Ms Hanson has touched a nerve with more than Australia's nationalists there are plenty of blokes out there who think she's SEXY. How/Why we wonder was she voted sexier than supermodel Linda Evangelista well - she likes guns, she's a thick sheila, she's feisty, she's real & beneath that brassy exterior there is a hint of vulnerability - just a few reasonable explanations as to why she made the top 100 list in a recent FHM magazine pole. (Does make you wonder about the profile of your average 'For Him Magazine' reader - please explain).

If you're not a supporter and want to vent your anger at her global small mindedness buy yourself a Hanson Chewy Pet Toy, they make a squeaky noise like their namesake and dogs love em. Marketed by Masterpet NZ the toys are manufactured in China (something that wouldn't wash well with Ms Hansons anti-Asian policies) and sell for $10.

>====================== Merino Mink

Possums are a pest in New Zealand and a real threat to our forests and birdlife so trapping, hunting and any form of persecution of these furry marsupials is encouraged. (Unlike in Australia where they are protected - weird). West Coast possum furrier Peter Gray is after green possum skins, if you can help, for his new venture - Merino Mink - which mixes fine merino (sheep) wool with possum fur to make a fibre which apparently rivals cashmere in warmth and comfort. Already popular, tourists will pay up to $300 for a jersey/pullover. Go Peter. It takes 15 possum skins to produce 1kg of fur and Peter pays $2 per good quality pelt.

>====================== Stamp Collectors & Town Icons

New Zealanders have gone to extraordinary lengths in recent years to put their towns on the map. Many of them have large structures depicting a popular local theme. Huge visual statements about communities and their people. This set of 10 stamps called Town Icons will be issued on 7 October 1998 and includes the Brown Trout of Gore, the Kiwifruit of Te Puke, Paeroa's L&P bottle ( now starring in a classic TV add ) and our favourite - the worlds largest Paua ( abalone ) in Riverton. In fact you can see a photo of the Riverton Paua in the July - September issue of the New Zealand Geographic. Any of our overseas readers wanting to buy a First Day Cover or a Booklet of these stamps please send us an e-mail and we will send you further details. Great as a present or for the stamp collection.

>====================== Subscribe a Friend and Win

If you have a friend or friends who would like to receive our newszine just send an e-mail with FRIENDS in the SUBJECT and their email address in the body of the message. We will send them the next issue and for every email address you provide you will double, triple or quadruple your chance to win a fluffy little kiwi. No spamming please.

>====================== Domestic travel

While the central North Island is recovering from floods the South Island continues to enjoy a mild winter. So if you're up north and sick of the rain it could be a good time to check out Tranz Rails heavily discounted fares (40-50% off) between Christchurch, Invercargill & Dunedin. To book call toll free 0800 802 802. Available until 24 September 1998.

Intrepid Travellers wanting to explore the Southern Scenic Route starting in Dunedin or Queenstown with the chance to visit Milford Sound, Stewart Island and the Catlins go no further than Bottom Bus. In a minimum of four days Bottom Bus will take you on a personal tour with that special touch. Free morning and afternoon smoko. Wilderness with plenty of bush and beach walks and wildlife including the chance to see Hooker Sea Lions, Yellow Eyed Penguins and Hector Dolphins. Send Ralph an email at mailto:bottom@deepsouth.co.nz, tell him you heard about it in KiwiNewZ and you will get a free Footrot Flats book when you make a booking.

>====================== International & Oz Travel Tips

The red carpet was rolled out two Saturdays ago when the inaugural Qantas flight breezed into Queenstown. Now the big red Kangaroo looks like its been cruising our alpine skys for decades. Meanwhile some young Australians who arrived in town on the first Qantas flight discovered that our drinking laws are slightly different than back home. When asked for ID, 18 year olds have happily produced theirs only to find out you have to be 20 to drink at pubs and clubs in little old NZ. I'm sure they found a way around this problem as we all did when we were young...

More Oz Specials - Freedom Air Ex. Hamilton, Palmerston North & Dunedin $NZD230 each segment (based on a return airfare) to Sydney, Brisbane & Coolangatta (ex Hamilton only) . Ex Sydney $AUD210 each segment (based on return airfare of $AUD419), ex Brisbane $AUD235 each segment (based on return airfare of $AUD469). For more info email: mailto:contactus@freedomair.co.nz.

Good news - Air New Zealand has just announced it will be flying direct to Queenstown ex Sydney & Brisbane year round commencing early November. Did you know summertime is busier than winter as far as tourists numbers go into Queenstown. It's not called the adventure capital of NZ for nothing.

Travel Envoy.- If you're Stateside and looking for a straight up package deal for New Zealand you may want to contact Kathleen at Travel Envoy at Mailto:victory2@swbell.net.or FreePhone 888-232-0610. Make sure you say you heard about it on KiwiNewZ!

Freedom Travellers remember the exchange rate is still very much in your favour so start planning your Kiwi vacation now.

>====================== Weird Weather Continues

Tsunamis wiping out Papua New Guinea villages, cows having to learn to swim when the Waikato River burst its banks, snow falling in New South Wales (Australia) towns more used to sunshine. La Nina has replaced El Nino. Yipee - not. Skiers/boarders want snow and farmers just want a bit of peace after a drought filled summer and the weatherman says there could be four more weeks of the current weather patterns. The good news is that if you're not fussed about the snow the south island has been enjoying a mild winter with lower than average rainfall and slightly warmer temperatures - what a great time to visit with all those low season specials.

>================ That's all folks

Thanks for joining us see ya next month. Remember we welcome any feedback, suggestions, requests, comments etc. We do try and answer every one personally. Click here to Email us.

This newszine is assembled from our own observations and reports from others and while every effort is made to get it right we can not attest to the accuracy or otherwise. Happy tripping.

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