KiwiNewZ NewsZine - November 1998

>=================== The big snow in October

Welcome to the November issue. Well we got the snowfall of the year in Queenstown on 25 October which was a short cool shot, click here to check out the Coronet Peak SnowCam, but summer is surging back with avengance and the evenings are getting longer and longer - it is now getting dark at 9.30pm. A wildlife packed issue with Takahe, kokako, pilot whales and humpback whales and a surprise visit from a koala.

>=================== Kiwi keyring winner

This months lucky winner of the feathery kiwi keyring is Melanie Wheatley of Haines Recruitment Advertising in NZ. Go Mels! Thanks to everyone else that entered. Do you want to enter? If you have a friend or friends who are interested in New Zealand then you are half way there. To go in the monthly draw for a free Kiwi keyring just send us an e-mail at KIAora@KiwiNewZ.com with FRIENDS as the SUBJECT and two or more email address of people that you think may like to receive KiwiNewZ.!

>=================== Sponsored by Catlins Coastal Link

Wanna see a Hector Dolphin? How about a NZ Sea Lion? Or maybe a Yellow Eyed Penguin? What about all three in one day? That's what could happen with Catlins Coast Link when you join their guided eco adventure tour between Invercargill and Dunedin. Our Catlins correspondent reports that the Hector Dolphins have been putting on a great display in the waves at Curio Bay and the penguins have their recently born chicks sticking close by. If you are thinking of visiting this neck of the woods make sure you hitch a ride with the experts! For more info or to get a copy of their fab new brochure .

>=================== Gidday to our online Koala Cousies

Being Kiwi types we were intrigued to learn about the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane. These people are Koala Krazy and publish an Oz type of KiwiNewZ. Their "almost" monthly newsletter features stories about Australian animals, travel in Australia and the Sanctuary itself and is complemented by their site; http://www.koala.net. If you would like to subscribe, send an e-mail to with SUBSCRIBENZ as the SUBJECT or just click here.

>=================== The Takahe is Extinct!

No it's not! Well it was until Dr. Geoff Orbell re discovered them. This flightless bird ( although unlike the kiwi it does have wings ) has a bright red beak, brilliant multi coloured plumage and hangs out in tussock and small pockets of beech forest. Recently on his 90th birthday and the 50th anniversary of his find Dr Orbell revisited the remote Takahe Valley in the Murchison Mountains, Fiordland where he and his companions captured and photographed the Takahe in 1948. Teetering on the verge of extinction an intensive campaign by the Department of Conservation has ensured that for now these rare birds will live on with a population of about 175. During his visit Dr Orbell assisted with the release of four yearling birds in to the wild, one of which departed with a sharp peck to his thumb. The anniversary came amongst news of a possible sighting of the South Island kokako. Believed to have been extinct for over 30 years several tantalising clues have come to light recently including two hunters hearing a distinctly different bird call and a bird flying low between trees, discovery of unusual moss grubbings and the finding of a feather Nelson ornithologist Rhys Buckingham has conducted several searches for the south island kokako which is about the size of a magpie, has a steel-grey plumage and distinctive orange coloured wattles at the base of its beak. The North Island kokako has blue wattles and is not extinct. The kokako is renowned as a song bird.

>=================== AJ Hackett Bungys 10 Birthday

Oh I know I talked about AJ Hackett Bungy in the last issue ( and the issue before that - honest, they aren't paying me ) but these guys just cant stay off TV! Latest is the 10th birthday. And what a birthday. The chance for hundreds of people involved with the company in its meteoric growth to remember and reminisce and rebound with a world record breaking day of jumps. 406 people in one day. 12 hours 15 minutes to be precise. That's about one every 2 minutes. Wowa. The day started with Sports Cafe television presenter Ben "Cannonball" Hickey being fired with bungy cord attached from the Bungy Rocket, then featured the return of heli bungy ( demonstration only I am afraid - heli bungy has been banned in NZ ) and finished finally with a fine swan dive by co founder Henry Van Asch. The two day celebration was rounded off with a 12 hour party from 6pm to 6am the next day for those with truly elastic lives.

>=================== Maori History at Arrowtown

If you are in or around the Wakatipu ( as she is fondly known ) make sure you check out the exhibition on at the Arrowtown Lakes District Museum which will focus on the settlement of Ngai Tahu Maori in the Wakatipu. A number of artists will demonstrate weaving and carving throughout the three months of the exhibition including Winni Solomon from the South Coast fishing village of Riverton. Maps artworks and artefacts including pounamu ( greenstone ) collected by historian Edward Shortland in 1843 will also be on display.

>=================== International Travel Tips

North American residents have two great options for travel to the South Pacific but be in quick! Air New Zealand has launched Summer Downunder fares, offering US$699 round-trip, weekday tickets from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Auckland, New Zealand (US$749 to Sydney).Add a stopover in Fiji for just US$50. Valid for travel from both Los Angeles and San Francisco to Sydney and Auckland. Travel must commence between January 25 and March 31, 1999. Tickets must be purchased by November 30, 1998. For complete details call Air New Zealand direct at (800) 262-1234. Qantas Airways "Breakaway Fares" to Sydney, Auckland & Nadi; Valid for weekday (Monday-Wednesday) outbound travel starting February 1, 1999 through March 31, 1999 - $749 between Los Angeles and Sydney; $699 between Los Angeles and Auckland; and $649 between Los Angeles and Nadi. Minimum stay 7 days maximum stay of one month. Tickets must be issued before November 30, 1998. Phone your agent or QANTAS.

>=================== Waiorau Snow Farm Spins On

Many people would know the Waiorau Snow Farm, on top of the Piza range just out of Wanaka, for its cross country skiing. Some would have heard of last years Goldrush road race up the access Road. But chances are only the locals have heard of its main source of income - winter testing for the giants in the car industry! During the past winter 40 Northern Hemisphere motor industry companies and 1200 engineers have paid Waiorau Snow farm about $3 million for the use of their facilities. Mercedes spent all of their winter testing budget in NZ with a 22 person team spending several weeks in the South Island. Spin out on that!

>=================== Pilot Whales Beached - A Sad Tale

Two hunters say they will never forget the horror of hearing the pitiful whaling of stranded pilot whales they unwittingly stumbled across during a trip on Stewart Island. 288 long finned pilot whales grounded themselves at Doughboy Bay on the remote West Coast. " .. you could see the flapping fins and hear a high-pitched cry... it was chilling...you did not want to be part of the hopelessness ...." Said Tony Briggs Whale experts think that the pod may have followed a sick, young, pregnant or disoriented whale when it swam ashore, and then the whole lot became caught by the receding tide.

Representatives from Project Jonah, local iwi and the Department of Conservation could only watch helplessly with whales piled on top of each other and many semi submerged in sand. This is the 2nd largest stranding recorded in NZ with the largest being in Takaka near Nelson in the summer of 1989. Most of the 348 were saved in that instance. NZ is an international hot spot for whale strandings; many whales swim through the waters and the coastline is long. Peter Madie from the Massey University cetacean investigation centre says that there are about 15 theories on the cause of whale strandings and like the mysterious deaths of hundred of NZ sea lions on the Auckland Islands the real reason may never be known.

On a more positive whale note visitors to Milford Sound were treated to a Humpback whale frolicking within metres of their boat this week. For about 20 minutes the 10m whale splashed and crashed and swum on its back, living up to their reputation as an acrobat in the water. The whales migrate along the Fiordland Coast and were the main species targeted by early NZ whalers.

>=================== Back Issues

Last month we talked about;

- tourism online newsletter
- AJ's sky tower jumpppppppp
- Air New Zealand domestic Priceless Packages
- New Zealand's miniature dinosaur the Tuatara
- Waitutu Forest joins the National Park network

Click here to go to the index for our previous issues online.

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

Thanks for joining us see ya next month. Remember we live on feedback, suggestions, requests, comments etc. We answer every one personally. Just 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 tipping. Do you know anyone who might be interested in receiving this newsletter? Please pass it along to them! If you're reading someone else's copy and you like what we offer, please subscribe! It's easy and free.