Kiwi 4 a Year

Snow? In Wellington!?!?!

2011-08-19T21:43:00.003-04:00

I love this video... The tiny text at the beginning says, "12.17 PM Monday 15th August 2011 Passers-by on Cuba Mall in Wellington witness a rare event...".

Snow on Cuba Mall in central Wellington (HD) from Ro Tierney on Vimeo.

OMC - Land Of Plenty

2011-03-22T22:22:00.001-04:00

What a fabulous song & video: Land of Plenty. I really do miss you, Aotearoa.

White Christmas

2009-12-21T22:31:00.004-05:00

I'm dreaming of a white sandy beach Christmas in New Zealand or Samoa, but this year, I've got snow - lots of it. Here are photos from Washington DC, taken December 20th. Song = Frosti, by Bjork.

Still a Kiwi at Heart

2009-09-27T15:47:00.004-04:00

Even though I am back in Washington DC, I still read the New Zealand Herald and the Dominion Post and I enjoy hearing stories of Kiwi innovation and inspiration. Here are two recent video clips from New Zealand. The first is from the "random acts" series of random singing performed by Pacific Islanders living in the Auckland area.

The second video is of a few mates that converted their van into an "amphibious van" and crossed the Cook Strait - one of the roughest crossings in the world!

Mel-bourne Again

2009-06-09T22:00:00.008-04:00

I spent a few days in Melbourne to meet up with a friend, Jen (from Perth, Western Australia). It was great to see her after nearly 10 years (she taught in Samoa when I did). We picked things up right where we had left off without missing a beat (although it took a full night without sleep, just lots of talking). I also drove along Victoria's Great Ocean Road with a Kiwi (Kevin). Events like this make me realize how quickly life goes by, and the importance of enjoying every moment while keeping in touch with those friends and family I love. It's all a magnificent journey, and I have been lucky.

Click on the image below for a slideshow of photos to the tune "Walk in the Park" (played by the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra):

From Movies

Niue? No Way!

2009-05-24T21:58:00.007-04:00

After completing work at the Office of the Auditor-General, I took a most relaxing week-long vacation in the small island country of Niue (the world's smallest self-governing country, with just about 1000 permanent residents!). I was looking for a far away place to empty my mind of any thoughts of New Zealand Police or the Local Government sector's Water Supply Asset Management Plans. The chapter of my life as a government auditor in New Zealand was coming to an end, and it was nearly time to return home.

I traveled around the island of Niue by bicycle (my second cross-country bicycle trip) and I met many wonderful people among some beautiful scenery. Niue is famous for its sea arches and limestone caves (the island, nicknamed "the Rock", is a coral atoll which was raised several times out of the ocean). The deep sea and reef fishing was also spectacular (thanks to my host, Des Hipa, from Teresa's guest house). Here are some snapshots of what I saw:

Last Day of Work

2009-05-22T23:39:00.000-04:00

Today was my 35th birthday and my last day of work for the New Zealand Office of the Auditor-General (OAG). I had a wonderful experience at the OAG and met many intelligent Kiwis doing good and meaningful work. It was an honor to work alongside them, and to share in everything from audit process to Friday Floors (drinks) and practical jokes. I know that work for the U.S. federal government in Washington will not offer the same breadth of experience (and I fear the high level of bureaucracy a little bit!).

New Zealand Music Month

2009-05-20T22:38:00.005-04:00

May has been New Zealand Music Month (see website). Unfortunately I missed many of the live performances, but I managed to expand my CD collection by about 8 albums, including the likes of Sola Rosa, Salmonella Dub, Tiki Taane, Fat Freddy's Drop, the Black Seeds, and the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra.

Though I'm not usually a super-big hip-hop fan, I can't seem to get enough of Smashproof these days (LINK).

Here's another video for Smashproof's song, "Ordinary Life":

Travels with Flat Max

2009-05-15T15:38:00.002-04:00

Over the past few weeks, I have been traveling with my "flat" nephew, Flat Max (see April 15 blog entry when Flat Max arrived in the mail).

Here is a slide show from our travels (NB: it's better to watch the You Tube version with music (on top), but if you cannot see it the photos are included below):

Sea Kayaking in Wellington Harbour

2009-05-03T03:38:00.003-04:00

I had a great afternoon on the water today, with a kayak and camera. Wellington can be absolutely wonderful when the wind settles down, and it seems that everyone makes it a point to enjoy days like this.

Weta Studios

2009-04-26T01:50:00.011-04:00

I visited the Weta Cave (link) this morning, a mini museum dedicated to promoting the work of the Weta Workshop (link). The Weta Workshop is a design and physical manufacturing facility in Wellington which services film makers like Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) and others. The video clips below will give an indication of the types of costumes, special effects and digital animation services created at the Weta Workshop.

The visitors centre has some life-size models of Gollum (a.k.a. Smeagol) and other Weta workshop creations

ANZAC Day - April 25th

2009-04-25T06:00:00.003-04:00

Today was Anzac Day (Anzac = Australia and New Zealand Army Corps), a day which commemorates the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces. This took place during the first World War at Gallipoli in Turkey on 25 April 1915 under a plan of Winston Churchill. Today, ANZAC Day more broadly commemorates Australians and NewZealanders who have died and served in military operations.

Each year, dawn services take place throughout New Zealand. I and thousands of others attended the dawn parade and services in Wellington at 5:30 this morning.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

2009-04-18T07:00:00.008-04:00

In 1887, the Paramount Chief of the Tuwharetoa people - Te Heuheu Tukino IV - donated the mountain peaks of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu to the nation of New Zealand. This gift was the genesis of Tongariro National Park and the first of its kind ever made by an indigenous people.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing crosses over steep volcanic terrain and through the culturally significant area known as the Ketetahi Hot Springs. In the photos below, you will see Mt Tongariro (1967 m), Mt Ngauruhoe (2287 m) - that's Mt Doom for any Lord of the Rings fans - and Mt Ruapehu. You will also see Red Crater (1886 m), the Emerald Lakes and Blue Lake (Te Wai-Whakaata-o-te Rangihiroa). The total trek is 19.4 km (approximately 24 km including the hike to Mt Tongariro summit).

FLAT MAX

2009-04-15T06:49:00.005-04:00

This afternoon we received the mail delivery at work and I was surprised to find a visitor! My nephew, Max, had flattened himself and posted himself in the mail from Hull, Massachusetts to Wellington, New Zealand!

After three very long flights amounting to a full day of travel, Flat Max hopped out of his padded envelope looking ready for an adventure. Unfortunately, we had to spend the rest of the afternoon in the Auditor-General's Office.

Flat Max also came with a handwritten note:

April 8, 2009

Dear Uncle John,

I'd like for you to meet Flat Max. Would you mind if Flat Max stays with you for a week or two? When Flat Max is ready to come home you can mail him back to me. I'd love to hear all about your adventures with Flat Max. I wanted to let you know that Flat Max loves to have his photograph taken. Thank you for helping me with my school project.

Yours Truly,

Max

Hot Cross Buns

2009-04-10T04:20:00.004-04:00

One thing I have really enjoyed about living in New Zealand is some of it's charm. One example of this is its hot cross buns (link). On Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), the bakeries in town begin selling the delicious sweet buns (pictured below). I have been invited to two hot cross bun parties today (Good Friday) to celebrate the Easter weekend with friends.

Oh, another thing I really like is that Good Friday and Easter Monday are both national holidays in New Zealand!

Oxfam Trailwalker 2009

2009-04-04T22:00:00.005-04:00

This weekend, I went to Lake Taupo area to support friends doing the Oxfam Trailwalker 100 KM walk. I completed this walk last year and wanted to be a support crew member this year.

The team, 1step@atime.com, completed the 100 KM walk in just over 25 hours and raised over $3250 for Oxfam's programs (click on this link to see the team's homepage). Congratulations to Susan, Kaye, Helen and Kirsty for completing the hilly off-road walk in just over 25 hours!

Here is a map of the walking route:

Here are some photos along the walk:

Terracotta Warriors

2009-03-29T22:58:00.002-04:00

The Terracotta Warriors (funerary statues of soldiers and horses for the first Emperor of China) came to town and have been staged at the St. James Theatre for a few months. Here are a few photos I took this morning when I walked through the exhibit:

Did you remember to switch the lights off?

2009-03-28T03:54:00.009-04:00

In 2007, the city of Sydney turned its lights off for one hour as a sign of support for urgent action on climate change. In 2008, hundreds of cities around the world joined in by switching off their lights. This year, thousands of cities have joined the symbolic movement. Have you? Please consider taking the first step at 8:30 PM on Saturday night. You're just one person, but there are over 6 billion like you.

Strange Resting Places

2009-03-19T04:37:00.002-04:00

One of the benefits of living on Courtenay Place is the ready access to many live stage theatres. Tonight I went to see "Strange Resting Places" - three guys re-enacting stories inspired by the Maori Battalion in Italy (WWII). Equipped with a few guitars and some creating acting, these guys really put on a show!

Walk to Work Day

2009-03-18T03:54:00.003-04:00

Today was "Walk to Work" day in Wellington (you might recall that the city also sponsors "Go by Bike" day). The City Council sponsors the event each year to provide a free breakfast for those who walk (or bike) to work, and to raise awareness about the benefits of commuting on foot or bicycle. Here are a few photos of what I see on my commute to work each morning.

Eastern Cape

2009-03-14T03:50:00.004-04:00

Here are photos from a road trip I took over the weekend to the Eastern Cape of New Zealand (including Napier (the Art Deco Capital of New Zealand), Gisborne, Whangara, Opotiki, and Rotorua). If you think you recognize the photos, you may be right - several of them were taken on sight where the Whalerider movie was filmed. Thanks to Kara for showing me around his home patch and to his father for showing me a tour of the marae in Whangara.

Tomorrow will be 2m 47s shorter

2009-03-10T16:12:00.008-04:00

I am a bit of a weather buff - and I keep the Boston and Wellington weather links on my iGoogle homepage. The two cities, each being approximately 45 degrees from the equator, have provided an interesting comparison. In particular, it's amazing to see the difference that the continental land mass (the U.S.) makes with regard to distinct seasons that the maritime conditions of New Zealand just do not provide. What we lack in seasonal change we make up for with one great asset - WIND - lots of it!

But, today, I'm not writing about wind or climate. I'm writing about the sad fact that "tomorrow will be 2 minutes and 47 seconds shorter" (this is what the google weather page says, in terms of daylight). We're still managing more than 12 hours of sunlight each day, but I know I'll have to give that up soon. Perhaps it is time for me to move back home to the Far North.

WELLINGTON:

Sunrise: 7:12 AM NZDT
Sunset: 7:48 PM NZDT
Length of Day: 12h 35m

Tomorrow will be 2m 47s shorter.

Moon Rise: 7:31 PM NZDT
Moon Set: 6:58 AM NZDT
Moon Phase: Full Moon, 100% Illuminated

Newtown Festival 2009

2009-03-07T18:53:00.010-05:00

I'm on my way to the Newtown Festival (website). I'll post some of my photos later, but for now I have borrowed a video from a post on Vimeo. My friends will find this funny because I don't like cats at all (and for some reason, a cat gets an inordinate amount of air time toward the beginning of this video). It is still a very enjoyable video about the festival in what I consider the heart of Wellington - Newtown.

Newtown Festival: Fair Day (4:45 min.) from Justine Flanagan on Vimeo.

Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra

2009-03-07T18:52:00.003-05:00

On Saturday night I went to the Jackson Street Fiesta in Petone. The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra played and made it truly worth the trip out there. One of the best songs they did was Heartache (Bonnie Tyler). This made me smile for a few reasons - first because the group of ukuleles and one bass were so good, but also because my brother Mark used to have to practice to this song when he was learning to play drums twenty years ago (remember that, Mark?). It brought back some wonderful memories.

This video (from You Tube) is of the Ukulele Orchestra - take a look and listen, they truly are a band for kids from 1 to 92! (Website)

A Beautiful Ray (on a spectacular day by the bay)

2009-03-05T02:00:00.002-05:00

While running this evening along Oriental Parade, I saw an amazing stingray (probably 3 feet wide and 4 feet long). It slowly glided through water along the seawall and attracted increasing numbers of spectators as walkers and joggers stopped to take a look. It was quite remarkable that this beautiful creature could bring people together in such a unique way.

Every day since living in New Zealand, I have been within a few feet of the ocean - once in the morning and once in the afternoon. I've also made a point to run along the oceanfront and in the hills that look down onto it. Its colours change with the sun and clouds, and there's so much underneath that I still haven't seen. Today it felt like I had made contact with another world....

The Navigators (Fuse Circus)

2009-03-04T05:17:00.010-05:00

Regrettably, summer is winding down in Wellington and the Earth is beginning to tilt its Northern half toward the sun... but NOT JUST YET! There have still been some entertaining events around the city. One example is the Fuse Circus show, the Navigators. I took some video footage, but this video covered by the New Zealand news station is a lot better than mine. Take a look - the group is really fantastic! This is busking community theatre at its best with stage costumes designed by the crew that worked on King Kong and Chronicles of Narnia.

LINK TO VIDEO

Cuba Street Carnival

2009-02-22T04:29:00.002-05:00

Every two years, the Wellington City Council sponsors the Cuba Street Carnival, and 2009 marked the 10th event! With an estimated 150,000 people in attendance, it was the next best thing to being in Rio de Janeiro. With 80 bands playing throughout the city and several food stalls and vendors, it's unlikely that anyone had a less-than-ideal day and night. Here is a video of the event (courtesy of Snapstar):

Snapstar TV ep1. Cuba Street Carnival. from Snapstar TV on Vimeo.

Nightswimming

2009-02-10T04:39:00.001-05:00

After going to the movies with friends (to watch Slumdog Millionaire), I went for a short run. It was about 10 pm and nearly a full moon just perched over Mount Victoria. It was a rare, calm and warm evening, so I decided to go for a swim in the ocean after the run. A thin layer of mist blurred the line where ocean ends and sky begins. It was beautiful.

New Zealand International Rugby Sevens

2009-02-07T23:30:00.009-05:00

This weekend was Wellington's biggest party weekend - "The Sevens" International Rugby Tournament. The 10th anniversary of the two-day tournament saw teams from 16 countries (including Kenya, England, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and others) compete for the shield. Crowds of more than 30,000 spectators showed up in "fancy dress" (costumes) and the partying continued for more than 60 continuous hours.

Teletubbies at the Sausage Sizzle
PIs (Pacific Islanders)
Niue Team Haka

New Zealand Scores a Try!

One Love Concert

2009-02-06T00:20:00.003-05:00

I dropped by the tail end of the One Love concert this evening to see the Black Seeds, a Wellington-based reggae band. Other New Zealand bands included Unity Pacific, The Little Bushman and others.

Here's a video from the Black Seeds, shot in New Zealand:

Waitangi Day

2009-02-06T00:15:00.000-05:00

February 6th is Waitangi Day - a day to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi (New Zealand's founding document, signed in 1840). The Treaty made New Zealand a part of the British Empire, guaranteed Māori rights to their land and gave Māori the rights of British citizens living in New Zealand. There are significant differences between the Māori and English language versions of the Treaty, and virtually since 1840 this has led to debate (and several court cases) over exactly what was agreed to at Waitangi. [source: Wikipedia]

The following photos and video are from events at Waitangi Park in Wellington. One of the greatest parts of living in Wellington is the range of music and cultural offerings in the city.

So many Polynesians have beautiful singing voices or musical talent, even if they cannot read music. They often times learn to sing in church. The second two videos are of an award-winning barbershop quartet based in Wellington - four guys who started singing together in high school and continue to do so while in university. Their singing has won them several awards and provided the opportunity to travel internationally. In a country where Polynesians are often treated as second-class citizens, it is really encouraging to see those that rise above and excel in ways that many of us couldn't achieve.

My apologies for my shaky hand at the camera and the wind interfering with the sound quality.

Musical Island Boys (Wellington-based Barbershop Quartet)

Pasifika Festival, Wellington

2009-01-31T18:48:00.010-05:00

This weekend, Wellington City Council hosted its second annual Pasifika Festival. The weather was warm and sunny and the turnout of hundreds of Pacific Islanders, Maori and Pakeha was really encouraging. With dances and singing from many of the Pacific Islands, it was a wonderful event. These videos are from a Samoan group - sorry about the over-exposure, but the singing is well worth listening to.

U.S. Presidential Inauguration

2009-01-20T12:00:00.003-05:00

The U.S. Presidential inauguration made front-page news in New Zealand. It made me wonder whether most Americans realize the impact the country and its leadership has on the rest of the world. By the way, can you name the Prime Minister of New Zealand? (answer: John Key, National Party).

Siva Afi (Samoan Fire Knife Dance)

2009-01-18T18:33:00.010-05:00

The Samoan "Siva Afi" (Fire-Knife Dance) has a history which goes back several generations. As the name implies, the dance is performed by wrapping a machete in towels at either end with a portion of the knife exposed. The knife is generally lit on fire on one end and the performer begins by putting fire from the lit end into his mouth (see photo) to light the other end. With the two ends lit, the dancer performs acrobatic feats while twirling the knife around, behind his back and between his legs. Here are a few videos I shot of a performance from my last trip to Samoa. The slow-motion videos are for you to learn the moves and practice at home:

Samoa

2009-01-12T12:58:00.008-05:00

Just after two weeks in Tonga, I spent 4 days in the office and then flew to Samoa for the weekend. Extravagant? Yes. Worth it? Definitely! Here are a couple photos of people I came across while cruising around the island of 'Upolu. Samoans are generally very friendly, proud, welcoming, forgiving, charismatic, and very good-natured. This is a place where I will return again and again - in my mind, if not in actuality.

Slideshow of Photos from Samoa:

Closing of Catholic Senior School

2009-01-10T12:57:00.011-05:00

After 28 years of providing form 6 education to students from all over Samoa, the Catholic Senior School shut its doors. I lived at the school for 3 years (1997-2000) and taught chemistry, math and physics as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer. These were, and likely will always be, among the most enjoyable and vivid years of my life. Samoa opened a whole new world and has provided me with many pleasant memories. After 10 years, I clearly remember the laughter, the beautiful singing, and the creativity of the students.

The closing ceremony included a mass and a huge dinner with a live band, three roasted pigs, a roasted cow (!) and lots of Vailima (Samoa's very own beer).

The photos below are from 1997-1999, when I lived in Moamoa and taught at the school. Two of the students from the photo above are in the photos below (Matthew and Helen). Can you spot them? More photos from 1997-1999 are in my online photo album (click here).

Tonga

2009-01-06T12:56:00.005-05:00

Two weeks in Tonga for Christmas and New Years Eve were absolutely beautiful. Much of the time was spent around the capital town of Nuku'alofa ("Village of Love") and the main island, Tongatapu ("Sacred South"). Photos are of a boat we took to a nearby island, a man fishing along the reef's edge, Hufangalupe ("Pigeon's Gate"), the Mapu'a 'a Vaca ("Chief's Whistle") Blowholes, and the Ha'amonga 'a Maui ("Maui's Burden") Trilithon.

The best part of the trip was the opportunity to stay with Teki's (Tongan) family and enjoy local food. A few archeological sites are well preserved, including the trilithon in the bottom picture which is made of limestone taken from the Wallis Islands (West of Samoa) and constructed in the early 13th century. Snorkelling was also fantastic.

The Seismic Isolation Dance

2008-12-21T06:00:00.012-05:00

Two buildings in Wellington are virtually earthquake-proof: (1) the Parliament and the (2) Te Papa Museum. They are protected by flexible plates at their base which essentially allow the building to remain relatively still during an earthquake by providing a shock-absorbing buffer at the building's base. This buffer is also capable of allowing the entire building to shift from left to right without damaging its frame. After seeing a video of the plate action (follow link for video), I was inspired to create the Earthquake Dance. In case of an emergency in Wellington, this is what I will be doing:

By the way, I'll be in Tonga for Christmas and New Years Eve, so enjoy the holidays!

Rainy Weekend

2008-12-20T17:59:00.002-05:00

It has been a cold and rainy weekend in Wellington, so I picked up a few movies from the city library. Below are video trailers from two excellent films from Australia (Rabbit Proof Fence) and New Zealand (Whale Rider). Although these films are approximately 6 years old, I would recommend either of them for your next rainy weekend, if you haven't seen them already.

RABBIT PROOF FENCE

WHALE RIDER

Bike the Bays

2008-12-14T00:59:00.007-05:00

One of my favourite events of the year is the Bike the Bays bicycle ride around the various bays outside of Wellington. Hundreds of people come out for the 28-KM ride and enjoy the morning. Last year this event was held in February (see link to my entry last year).

The ride this year was beautiful because the Pōhutukawa trees were in full bloom. (NB: the Pōhutukawa is sometimes referred to as the New Zealand Chrsitmas tree because of its brilliant red flowers and green leaves, and because it blooms just in time for Christmas. Here is a video clip from Scorching Bay (one of the bays with a beautiful small beach) and a couple of photos from the ride.

Visitors from Another Hemisphere, Part II

2008-12-01T06:07:00.002-05:00

Here are a couple videos from my recent travels with friends from the North. The videos are of: (1) a traffic jam on the South Island, (2) Angela's bungy jump/canyon swing, and (3) a Tui (a native bird of New Zealand).

Visitors from Another Hemisphere

2008-11-28T13:37:00.011-05:00

Over the past three weeks, visitors from the Northern Hemisphere descended upon me to witness the way we do things in New Zealand. That, of course, included lots of hiking, kayaking in Milford Sound, Bunjy-canyon-swinging (for one brave soul), a trip to New Zealand's third island (Stewart Island, south of the South Island), a few days in Windy Wellington, and just one traffic jam!

A great outcome for many parts of the world

2008-11-05T13:25:00.002-05:00

Today, New Zealanders celebrated Guy Fawkes Day with fireworks on the harbour. Many were also celebrating Barak Obama's win for the presidential elections (being 16 hours ahead of the US East Coast, we learned the election results this afternoon). I was concerned that I wouldn't return home if McCain and Palin were elected, so I am very relieved that I can come home anytime after January.

This Saturday, New Zealanders will have their own national elections, but many have indicated a greater interest in the US outcome.

More Fieldwork Photos

2008-10-28T13:15:00.001-04:00

My most recent fieldwork visit was in Central Otago on the South Island. In addition to some beautiful scenery, the area is well known for producing some of New Zealand's best pinot noir and pinot gris wines. Cheers!

Field Work

2008-10-24T03:10:00.005-04:00

Months are slipping by and I haven't written on my blog! (I don't know if anyone noticed, actually). Anyway, I have been traveling a lot with work over the past several weeks. I am auditing the local government sector with respect to its responsibilities to provide potable drinking water to its constituents. This used to mean that territorial authorities would just have to provide reasonably clean water to the ratepayers living in each district. However, with a recent change in legislation, water is being more stringently regulated. This is true of water quality regulations (for protozoa, bacteria, etc.) and water quantity (allocation among competing users). I can't discuss the findings yet, but I'll issue a report to the New Zealand Parliament in 2009. I can tell you that the field work has taken me to large and small councils around the North and South islands. Here are a couple photos, in case you are interested.

Tu Tangata - 30th Anniversary

2008-09-08T00:15:00.007-04:00

For 30 years, Maori and Pasifika high school students have celebrated their unique cultures through an annual event called "Tu Tangata". Tu Tangata literally means, "stand, people" but more generally means, "be someone". It was pretty inspirational to see these students enjoying their heritage and doing very well at something. Here are a couple photos:

Solomon Island Dancers

2008-09-05T23:46:00.005-04:00

Here is a short video of one of my favourite groups - the Solomon Island dancers. The Solomon Islands will host the next Pacific Arts Festival in 2012, in case you would like to start planning your trip!

Samoan Dancers

2008-09-05T22:40:00.007-04:00

I bought a video camera just before going to the Pacific Arts Festival and just figured out how to downsize the video from high density to a windows media file which can be posted on the blog (this means relatively poor quality, but you can get the idea). This is a dance troop from Samoa, and they are doing a slap dance called the "sasa". You may notice some of the movements represent fishing and other activities related to food preparation and survival. These dances were used to pass stories from one generation to the next.

Fijian Dancer

2008-09-05T20:00:00.003-04:00

This guy was one of the funniest of the dancers - from Fiji

Samoa - 10 years later

2008-08-04T15:24:00.005-04:00

After attending the Pacific Arts Festival in American Samoa, I spent 10 days in Samoa. In the late 1990s, I had spent three years in Samoa as a Peace Corps Volunteer, teaching Chemistry, Math and Physics at a school in a village called Moamoa. I was concerned that 10 years of change could have taken the country in an undesirable direction, but was very pleased to experience that most changes are positive - and most other things haven't changed.

There are 2 new traffic lights, but apparently one hasn't been working for at least 3 months. There are lots more cars and cell phones, but there is also a ban on plastic bags (they have all been replaced by the ubiquitous biodegradable "Samoan Bio-Bag"). The police band still marches from the police station to the government building each morning and plays the national anthem while raising the flag. Afternoons in the villages are characterised by rugby and volleyball games and spontaneous uproars of laughter. Sundays are still reserved for God, and the singing in every church is of professional caliber - simply amazing.

I met up with several former students in town, many of whom are working for the government (Water Authority, Attorney General, Fisheries), private sector (e.g., architectural firms, hospitality industry), and a few who are carrying on the fa'asamoa (Samoan way) to the next generation by preserving the art of traditional tattooing, or teaching the Samoan language and culture in schools.

I have posted a few photos. If you would like to see more, click here.

10th Pacific Arts Festival

2008-07-26T14:58:00.004-04:00

Malo le fa'amalosi! (to your strength). I just returned from the 10th Pacific Arts Festival in Pagopago, American Samoa. While checking in for my flight from Samoa to American Samoa, I was asked to step on the scale (along with my my bags)! Presumably, they do this for each passenger to make sure that the net weight of the 12-passenger plane doesn't exceed the limit. To me, this was a clear sign of the beginning of a new adventure....

The festival was wonderful. Although it was not well organised, it was brilliantly executed thanks to the groups from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Wallis and Futuna, New Zealand, Hawaii, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands, Tahiti, the Solomon Islands, and other Pacific Island countries. The photos posted here are of the performers from Papua New Guinea, the Cook Islands, Kiribati, and Fiji. For more photos, click here.

Returning to Samoa

2008-07-17T07:43:00.004-04:00

Talofa! I'm heading to Samoa this evening and will arrive there this morning (returning to New Zealand on 05 August).

Beautiful Day

2008-07-13T05:04:00.004-04:00

Wellington's climate is kept mild due to currents of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Some say that this has been one of the warmest years - and today was a perfect day. I woke up early and went to the waterfront markets where fresh produce, meats, breads and the daily catch of fish are sold. Here are a few photos.

water treatment facility tour

2008-07-10T04:16:00.004-04:00

One of the audits I am working on requires me to travel around New Zealand to see whether the local government entities are sufficiently planning for future water demand. This can be done either through tapping into new sources of water and increasing treatment and reticulation capacity or by managing demand through encouraging conservation. Today marked my first visit (to the Te Marua water treatment plant in Wellington). On this visit, I saw coagulation, flocculation, separation, filtration and chlorination. Here are just a couple photos of the process.

Where The Hell is Matt?

2008-07-06T01:03:00.003-04:00

I thought I was well-traveled, until I heard about Matt Harding. If you haven't seen his website, Where the Hell is Matt, or his dancing video, please check it out... this guy danced in 42 countries with thousands of people - and got paid for it! The smile this video has put on my face - and will likely put onto yours - is well worth it! Enjoy....

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Winter Solstice

2008-06-21T03:27:00.005-04:00

Today, at 6:46 pm, marked the Winter Solstice - this is when the Sun is at its most Northerly point in the sky. At the middle of the day on June 21, it reaches its lowest altitude, from the Northern horizon, for the year.

In the Northern Hemisphere, most consider the solstices to mark the first day of a new season. In New Zealand (and some other countries of the Southern Hemisphere), however, the first day of the new season is generally considered to be the first day of the months of the Solstice (e.g., June 1st for winter). I was initially mistaken when I assumed the 21st to mark the first day of winter, as you will notice from blog comments. At any rate, I'm looking forward to days getting longer over the coming months.

Interestingly, Wellington is 42 degrees south of the equator and Boston (my home town) is 42 degrees north of the equator. Despite that, Wellington's maritime climate is remarkably mild with temperatures generally between 40 - 80 Fahrenheit.

Ka Mate, Ka Mate!

2008-06-18T06:42:00.006-04:00

I went to Auckland for the weekend to watch the All Blacks play against England. The event started with a re-enactment of a battle which looked something like the Battle of Hastings, followed by the All Blacks' famous haka. The final score was the All Blacks 37 - England 20.

If you would like to try the haka at home, you better learn the words (NB: vowels are just like English long vowels, and the letters "wh" sound like a soft "f"):

Ringa pakia! (Slap the hands against the thighs!)
Uma tiraha! (Puff out the chest!)
Turi whatia! (Bend the knees!)
Hope whai ake! (Let the hip follow!)
Waewae takahia kia kino! (Stamp the feet as hard as you can!)

A, ka mate! Ka mate! ('Tis death! 'Tis death!)
Ka ora! Ka ora! ('Tis life! 'Tis life!)
Ka mate! Ka mate! ('Tis death! 'Tis death!)
Ka ora! Ka ora! ('Tis life! 'Tis life!)
Tēnei te tangata puhuruhuru (Behold! There stands the hairy man)
Nāna nei i tiki mai whakawhiti te ra! (Who will cause the sun to shine!)
A upane! Ka upane! (One step upwards, another step upwards!)
A upane! Ka upane! (One step upwards, another step upwards!)
Whiti te rā! (The sun shines!)

Note: If you are looking for the Gingerbread Haka, watch this:

Matariki - Māori New Year

2008-06-07T19:59:00.007-04:00

The Māori New Year just began, and is marked by the rising of a constellation of seven stars called "Matariki". There are two explanations of the name Matariki: mata-riki (small eyes) or mata-ariki (chiefly eyes). In Greek mythology, this same group of stars has been referred to as "the Pleiades" (the Seven Sisters).

For the Māori, the rising of Matariki signaled a time to celebrate and prepare the grounds for the next growing season. In the 21st century, New Zealanders celebrate in a variety of ways, including dances, songs, and plenty of hangi (food cooked in a ground oven).

Yesterday, I went to Te Papa museum to watch Torotoro, a dance troup from Auckland, perform

Soweto Gospel Choir

2008-06-01T18:21:00.002-04:00

On Saturday night, Teki and I went to see the Soweto Gospel Choir perform in Wellington. The show was spectacular and reminded me of days spent with Mark and Bridget in South Africa a few years ago.

The Big 3-4

2008-05-22T18:20:00.003-04:00

Today I turned 34 years old - but I'm only 5 years old in "southern hemisphere" years.

How Big is Your Footprint?

2008-05-14T07:18:00.003-04:00

New Zealand has very strongly promoted a "green" image, and I have been generally impressed by the development of renewable energy resources, including wind, hydro and geothermal energy production. Regrettably, Prime Minister Helen Clark just scaled back her commitment to a carbon emissions trading scheme (perhaps she is concerned about the reaction from the agriculture sector in an election year). Clark's decision was a disappointment to many.

On a more positive not, I found inside of a box of breakfast cereal a paper showing the cereal company's CO2 emissions per Kg of production, broken down by emissions source (electric, gas, land and air travel). This paper also contained a list of ideas for the consumer to make his or her home more sustainable.

Catching Up, Ten Years Later

2008-05-02T21:51:00.004-04:00

I just re-connected with a friend of mine from Samoa (Petelo). We met in 1998 in Apia and haven't seen each other since. Only recently did I learn that he is living in Auckland.

Over the past 10 years, Petelo lived in Los Angeles, Seattle and Wellington. I lived in Boston, Indiana, and Washington DC. Meanwhile, a lot has changed in Samoa (some positive and some negative). Over dinner, we talked about those changes and laughed at some of the things that haven't changed. We also talked about the people and places we both knew. I'm looking forward to returning to the islands this July.

Oxfam Trailwalker

2008-04-05T17:24:00.006-04:00

We did it, thanks to help from lots of friends and family!

Here are photos of the start of the walk, dawn, dusk and the morning after (when we finished). The final photo is of our support team, without whom we would not have finished!

We completed the 103-KM track in under 30 hours, and we raised $4347 - more than twice our original goal. Thanks to the following friends and family members who donated (in addition to several anonymous donations):

Angela An, Christian and Jennifer Bolanos, Gina Bonifacino, Victoria Dew, Nina Dillon, Andy Evans, Anne Marie Healey (Mom), David Healey and family, Susan Welch (sister) and family, Joe Healey and family, Mark Healey and family, Evan and Jenny Haas, Josh Hall and Joanna Kind, Jennifer Jansen (in Australia), Katie Kaku, Robert Mann-Thompson, Caryn Muellerleile, Ernesto Muñoz(in Ecuador), Enrique Paulin, Andrea Salzburg, Fatai Shieh, Jeremy Shuman, Tricia Gorland Siaso, Phillippa Smith, Bruce Taylor, Lola Toppin, Jimmy Valentine's Lonely Hearts Club (neighborhood bar in Washington DC), Jessie Watrous, Ryan Wells, and Anita Williams.

To give an idea of what your donations may have accomplished for people in need:

(1) nutritional meals for 21,735 children (at $1 per group of 5 children)
(2) 725 chickens (at $6 each)
(3) 869 ducks (at $5 each)
(4) 4,347 planted trees (at $1 each)
(5) safe water for 2,717 people (at $1.60 per person)

Thanks for being a part of this fundraiser!

Auckland Museum

2008-03-31T18:15:00.000-04:00

On our final day, we visited the Auckland museum and Botanical Gardens.

Mom's Visit - North Island

2008-03-30T07:03:00.001-04:00

In addition to a few days in Wellington, we went through Tongariro National Park to Lake Taupo and Rotorua (home of the largest goethermal activity in the Southern Hemisphere). We spent the last couple days in Auckland.

Taonga Mata Ora

2008-03-26T06:46:00.001-04:00

Dinner at Te Papa's Taonga Mata Ora, with Maori, Samoan and Tahitian performances.

Mom's Visit - South Island

2008-03-24T17:23:00.002-04:00

My mom has been jet-setting around Australia and New Zealand and decided to pay me a visit. After she visited Melbourne, Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney, she came to New Zealand to see Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mount Cook and Christchurch.

We met in Christchurch and went to Akaroa (an early French settlement), Karikoura (for crayfish and whale watching) and Nelson, where we visited the goegraphic centerpoint of New Zealand (although this probably does not take the Chatham Islands into account).

Dragon Boat Races

2008-03-15T05:02:00.004-04:00

Earlier today I went to the Wellington Harbour to watch dragon boat races. The weather was ideal and plenty of people were out - some swimming in the harbour, others showing off tattoos.

Summer in the City

2008-03-09T19:06:00.004-04:00

I am wrapping up an enjoyable summer weekend, having walked nearly 60 KM in the sunny, breezy days of Wellington's summer. Here are a few photos of sculptures along the waterfront.

Women's Day

2008-03-08T03:28:00.002-05:00

While studying in Ecuador several years ago, I learned that March 8th is International Women's Day. Although I don't think New Zealand did much in recognition of the day, it's worth mentioning that New Zealand was the first country in the world to allow women the right to vote.

Newtown Festival

2008-03-02T03:36:00.001-05:00

Newtown is my favourite area of Wellington for its racial and socioeconomic mix, its Maori and Pasifika representation, and its interesting historic buildings. The festival brought people out by the hundreds to enjoy music, food, games and fabulous weather!

Go By Bike Day

2008-02-27T02:55:00.003-05:00

Today was "Go By Bike" day, with more than 600 Wellingtonians mounting bicycles and receiving free breakfast and a live concert at the City Hall.

Bike the Bays

2008-02-23T03:55:00.001-05:00

On Saturday, the city council hosted an annual 32-km bike ride around the Miramar peninsula in Wellington. Nearly 2000 riders enjoyed the beautiful weather and scenery, followed by a picnic and live band. They say, "you can't beat Wellington on a great day," and I think I'd have to agree.

By the way, did anyone notice the "planes crossing" sign in the last photo?

Wellington Pasifika Festival

2008-02-17T21:49:00.002-05:00

The first Pacific Festival (of what hopes to be an annual event) was held in Wellington today, with local Pacific Island groups performing song and dance. The event was very popular and provides a great source of cultural pride for various Pacific Islanders in New Zealand. Here are photos of dancers from Tonga, Tokelau, Fiji and the Cook Islands. More photos are in the slide show to the right-hand side of this page, or here (click on photos to enlarge).

Australian Apology

2008-02-13T02:34:00.006-05:00

Although New Zealand IS NOT part of Australia (and, "no," Australia is not part of New Zealand, either), today marked an historic event in Australia which is well worth mentioning.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised in Australian parliament to all Aborigines for laws and assimilation policies that "inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss" on Aboriginal people. He singled out the "Stolen Generations" of thousands of children forcibly removed from their families by Australian government and church missions.

(NB: This is not my photo, but isn't it very nice?)

Oxfam Trailwalker - The "Sockranos" Team

2008-02-11T13:29:00.004-05:00

On April 5-6, three colleagues of mine will join me on a 100-km (62 mile) walk to raise funds for Oxfam to help overcome poverty and injustice. Our team, The Sockranos, must complete the full walk in under 36 hours and we must raise a minimum of $2000 (not including the $625 entry fee and expenses for the weekend that will come out of our pockets).

If you are interested in learning more, check out the event website.

If you would like to donate to our team (with a credit card), please, please, please click here. 10-20 cents per kilometer can go a long way. To give you some indication your money will buy:

$10 - nutritional meals for 50 children
$12 - a pair of chickens
$15 - three ducks
$25 - will plant 25 trees
$80 - will provide safe water for 50 people

Note: These are based on New Zealand dollars, and the U.S. Dollar is doing well against the New Zealand dollar ($1 NZD = $0.78 USD). So, a $25 NZD donation is actually just under $20 USD.

Waitangi Day

2008-02-06T13:28:00.003-05:00

These photos are of a Māori waka taua (double-hulled war canoe). The facial tattoos (ta moko) represent whakapapa (genealogy) and express both individual and iwi (tribal) identity. The shell eyes are meant to intimidate, representing eyes that never shut.

The canoe is located in Waitangi, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between British settlers and Māori chiefs on February 6, 1840. The Treaty established a British governor in New Zealand, recognised Māori ownership of their lands and other properties, and gave Māori the rights of British subjects. However, there are two versions of the Treaty - Māori and English - each with significantly different interpretations, resulting in many misunderstanding.

Until the 1970's the New Zealand courts and parliament had largely ignored the Treaty (and many adults have learned in school that it was signed as a "benevolent" act on the part of the Crown). Today, it is generally regarded as the founding document of New Zealand (Aotearoa) as a nation, but there is much ongoing debate over the extent to which it is truly honoured.

New Zealand International Sevens

2008-02-01T23:11:00.003-05:00

I forgot to mention that during the first weekend in February, Wellington's Westpac Stadium hosted the New Zealand International Sevens rugby championship. Although New Zealand beat Samoa, 22-17 in the finals, I don't know if the win officially counts since the lead player on the New Zealand team (responsible for scoring two tries) is Samoan (Victor Vito).

But, most people don't come to the Sevens to watch the games, they come to put on "fancy dress" (costumes).

Wellington Anniversary Day

2008-01-21T13:27:00.001-05:00

Yet another public holiday! In addition to 23 days of annual leave each employee receives in New Zealand, there are about 13 public holidays. Today is the anniversary day for Wellington province (each province has one). I'm not sure how this date was selected - maybe people found it hard to return to work after Christmas week, or maybe they felt Waitangi Day was too far away. For whatever reason, today was chosen and New Zealanders (in Wellington province, anyway) make the best of a day off from work.

Other Dunedin Photos

2007-12-31T04:19:00.000-05:00

Having two nights in Dunedin gave twice the opportunity to take photos. Unfortunately, I can only post a couple for each blog entry. Here are a few churches and other interesting buildings in the city:

The Catlins

2007-12-30T05:44:00.001-05:00

The Catlins is a beautiful area on the Southeast coast of New Zealand's South Island. The area is full of coastal scenery, agricultural hills and forests. Here are a few photos of the furthest point south I have ever been, fossils from a petrified coastal forest and coastal areas.

Milford Sound (Fiordland)

2007-12-29T05:22:00.003-05:00

Milford Sound, on the Southwest edge of the South Island is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen (sorry that the pictures cannot do it justice).

Queenstown - Where Adrenalin Flows Like a River

2007-12-28T04:51:00.000-05:00

If you are looking for adventure, come to Queenstown - from skydiving and bungy jumping to quad biking and riding the luge, this town has it all! I never thought I would enjoy quad biking as much as I did, and I only rolled over once! The luge wasn't bad, either.

St. Bathan's and the Vulcan Hotel

2007-12-27T04:32:00.000-05:00

Who knew that a 10-km side-trip off the beaten path would yield such treasures as the Vulcan Hotel and a large quarry. No sign of Dr. Spock, though....

Dunedin, Otago

2007-12-26T03:34:00.000-05:00

Dunedin (Derived from Edinburgh) has a Scottish heritage and hosts New Zealand's most prestigious university (University of Otago). Although it was a rainy night when I arrived, I took a few interesting photos to give you an idea of what I saw there. I spent my first and last nights here, with the other nights spent on the road. Here are a couple photos from the train station:

Mere Kirihimete

2007-12-25T03:12:00.000-05:00

Mere Kirihimete! (Maori: Merry Christmas!). After 4 office Christmas parties (one hosted by the Auditor General, one hosted by the performance audit group (my office), one hosted jointly with the financial auditors, and another one hosted by my office), I needed a vacation!

Fortunately the city of Wellington shuts down for a month at Christmastime, so I went to New Zealand's South Island with Teki and some visiting friends from Hong Kong.

We flew into Dunedin (Otago), a college town with a few nice pinot noirs, and drove a large loop through St. Bathan's (limestone quarry), Queenstown (where adrenaline flows 24/7), Milford Sound (quite possibly the most dramatic landscape in New Zealand), Invercargill (Southernmost city) and the Catlins (coastal drive). Next few entries will cover the trip....

A Few Good Movies

2007-12-11T03:46:00.000-05:00

Although work has kept me busy of late, I have enjoyed a few recent movies I rented from the local video shop, including Hula Girls, Angel-a and Paprika. I also saw Once at the theatre and would recommend it (particularly good soundtrack), but I think it left the U.S. theaters many months ago. Let me know if you have any other recommendations.

Welcome to New Zealand

2007-12-10T05:38:00.000-05:00

There's much more to see than just sheep!

Like Father, Like Son(s)

2007-12-03T04:58:00.000-05:00

Teki's brother, Tele, visited from Tonga over the weekend with his two sons George (Siaosi) and David (Tavita). We all had the opportunity to enjoy being nine years old (at the arcade) and we also went for a night hike to the wind turbine.

Make Way for Penguins

2007-12-01T04:49:00.000-05:00

My Commmute to Work

2007-11-30T03:49:00.000-05:00

After two months in Wellington, I have become accustomed to quite a bit. I have eaten many a fish 'n chips and I know how to get around the city without any trouble. It's starting to feel a lot like home - minus most of my closest friends and family, unfortunately. But the quality of life is still very enjoyable. I carpool into work in the mornings and I generally run home in the evenings. To give you a sense of what that commute entails, I've included a couple of photos.

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-24T02:03:00.000-05:00

(L to R: Bridget, Teki, Leigh and Gus - Thanksgiving Dinner at home in Wellington, turkey and all!)

Toast Martinborough

2007-11-18T22:54:00.000-05:00

Today, I went to Toast Martinborough with Teki and Gustavo. This annual event highlights some of the wineries in Martinborough, New Zealand (located approximately one hour north of Wellington). The weather was ideal for being outdoors, enjoying music and tasting some area wines.

Auckland and Problems up North

2007-11-14T04:55:00.000-05:00

I just got back from a couple of days in Auckland - City of Sails.

In case you have heard about the recent terrorism investigations in New Zealand, I just wanted to let you all know that things are all right in Wellington and there's no need to worry. If you have not heard, then pretend like you didn't read this.

Absolutely, Positively Wellington

2007-11-10T18:42:00.000-05:00

I went for a run this morning around Oriental Bay and saw hundreds of people out biking, running, walking and swimming in the harbour (with wetsuits)... it confirmed a sense of Wellington that I had already felt. The people here love being outdoors and active, and the City Council has done a great job of marketing city recreation and events with simple slogans, such as "Absolutely, Positively Wellington" and websites like http://feelinggreat.co.nz. As we head into summer, the skies are clearing and the wind is dying down. This is absolutely, positively a great place to be!

Christchurch, South Island

2007-11-09T21:38:00.000-05:00

Here are a few photos from a recent business trip to Christchurch, including the Christchurch Cathedral, and the main square.

Guy Fawkes Night

2007-11-05T23:27:00.000-05:00

Tonight was Guy Fawkes Night, and we celebrated with the biggest annual fireworks display in New Zealand, above Wellington Harbour. In some respects, we were lucky to have a fireworks display. Helen Clark, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, considered banning fireworks in New Zealand if New Zealanders "behave badly" on Guy Fawkes night this year (based on past behaviours, I guess). As far as I know, there will be no ban for next year, although I can't say that all New Zealanders were on their best behaviour.

Pao Pao Pao

2007-11-03T17:31:00.001-04:00

Last night, I went to "Pao Pao Pao," a concert of Māori and Pasifika music. Nine performers played and danced for over 3 hours and most were very good. One of my favourites was Torotoro, a contemporary dance group. They have come a long way since their debut on youtube, but if you are interested in seeing two of their videos check out these links: Wahine (women) and Tama (men) [note: this is not traditional Māori dancing of music]. If you are looking for something more traditional, check here: Traditional Dance and Poi-E (one hit wonder in New Zealand - well worth watching it for the break dancing).

The song, Poi-E, was produced in the 1980's with two objectives: (1) to market Māori langugage and culture, and (2) to warn Māori youth about urban dangers. The dissolution of Māori language and culture was partially a result of a rapid shift of Māori populations from rural areas to the cities after World War II, when New Zealand had been experiencing rapid growth and manual labor was in high demand throughout the cities. Many Māori elders died at war and the younger generation moved to unfamiliar urban areas with very limited structure and family support. The economic boom in New Zealand didn't last very long, but long enough to displace a whole generation, causing a breakdown in culture for years to come. Some tribes have been very successful at re-establishing themselves, while others have a long way to go. The government has made some progress in supporting a cultural renaissance (for example, Te Reo Māori, "the language," was later recognized by the New Zealand government as a national language in 1987), but there is a long way to go.

Wanganui

2007-11-01T19:09:00.000-04:00

On October 31 and November 1, I went on my first work-related trip to Wanganui and Palmerston North to speak with representatives from the Ministry of Education and Massey University. Over the next few weeks, I will head to Christchurch and Auckland to meet with similar representatives from the education sector to investigate the effectiveness and the efficiency of the Ministry of Education's spending on professional development services for teachers and principals. Some of the greatest rewards from this work come from speaking with high-level officials in government and the private sector to see how they handle challenging situations and how they make funding decisions in an environment of competing demands and limited resources. In addition, it has given me the opportunity to travel off the beaten path.

The photos above are from Wanganui, a coastal town which had been a major trading port near the turn of the 20th century. Wood carvings replaced Ginkgo trees of the past and a range of interesting styles make up the city's architecture.

Fiafia Fa'asamoa!

2007-10-27T01:19:00.000-04:00

It's official... I just bought my flight to Samoa for the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts (Su'iga'ula a le Atuvasa) from Friday, July 18 - Sunday, August 3. So... if you would like to visit New Zealand, don't plan on coming during these dates (meet me in Samoa instead). The festival takes place once every 4 years and brings together Pacific Islanders from Samoa, Palau, New Caledonia, the Cook Islands, Australia, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinnea, New Zealand and Fiji to share arts (tattooing, wood carving, print making, culinary arts, film, literature, music, dance, architecture, and traditional medicine) for two weeks. This offers a great way to see the best cultural offerings from the Pacific Island countries in one central location.

Dance magazine wrote an article reviewing the 2000 festival, which provides a nice overall description of what can be expected. If you are interested in coming to the festival, look for flights to Pagopago, American Samoa (PPG).