Kiwi Trivia

Kiwis love trivia!

1) Who was New Zealand’s third most searched person overall, beating Kim Kardashian's baby and Nelson Mandela after January 27th, 2014?

A) New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key

B) God

C) Taranaki

D) Ella Maria Lani Yelich-O'Connor (a.k.a. Lorde)

E) All Blacks Head Coach, Steve Hansen

2) In the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, New Zealand Skier Jossi Wells came in 4th in what event?

A) Slopestyle - Men

B) Halfpipe - Men

C) Freestyle - Women

D) Downhill - Men

3) Which New Zealand Prime Minister has been on The David Letterman Show?

A) Jim Bolger

B) Jenny Shipley

C) Helen Clark

D) John Key

4) Which New Zealand musician won an Oscar in 2012 for The Muppet Movie’s “Man Or Muppet” original song?

A) Neil Finn of Crowded House ("Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong")

B) Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchords (Band and TV series)

C) Phil Judd of The Split Enz (“I Got You”)

D) Pauly Fuemana of OMC (“How Bizarre”)

E) Barnaby Weir of Fly My Pretties

5) In the movie Lord of the Rings, the bridge in Hobbiton was built by _______A_______ out of _______B_______.

A                                                                                              B

the New Zealand Army                                                     aluminum cans

bee keepers                                                                          limestone rock

N Zed Department of Transportation                          paua shells

trained sheep                                                                       polystyrene

6) In 2010, Google announced $1 million US investment in what New Zealand company?

A) Fonterra (parent company for Mainland cheese)

B) Eurekster (computer and video games)

C) Weta Workshop (conceptual design/physical manufacturing facility servicing the world's entertainment and creative industries)

D) Monteiths Brewing Company

E) Shweeb, (product is part monorail and recumbent cycle)

 - Meryl : )

1) D, Lorde, http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news/more-interest-in-lorde-than-god-5820648  

2) B; and his younger brother, Beau-James, came in 6^th in the same event, http://www.olympic.org.nz/sochi-2014/team

3) John Key

4) Bret McKenzie

5) the NZ Army/polystyrene

6) Shweeb

It's Gonna (Probably) Be Cold This Summer

Hi All! Just a reminder that it is going to be cold this summer when you are in WINTER in New Zealand. If you are not used to what could be a real winter (always a potential for snow and daytime temps not getting out of the 30s and 40s - I think average is around 42F), please remember to think comfortable lightweight warm layers.  The temperatures and conditions where we will be can (and will) change in minutes so be prepared for anything.  We have been in a blizzard and in 60 degree days as well as sun and rain, rain, rain - sometimes all in one day. Now is a great time to check out winter sales at many sites like LL Bean, Lands End, REI and more outerwear and camping/hiking type places.  I am a big fan of warm feet and hands being a Florida girl myself.  A typical outfit for me will be wool socks with my tennis shoes or hiking shoes, jeans or comfortable pants to hike in or plant in, a camisole, long sleeve shirt, t shirt, lightweight cotton hoodie, down vest, gloves, scarf, hat (I can easily add a warmer and/or waterproof layer to this or take a layer off). Check your packing list and feel free to ask Mark and me if you have questions. Cheers, Meryl

P.S.  This map always fascinates me as we are so close to Antarctica (Christchurch is a point of departure for expeditions there!).  When we get cold southerly winds in New Zealand, I can smell the ice.

The Spirit of New Zealand Captured in Three Minutes

Of course it will be winter when we go and super cold, but the Tip Top ice cream will be good as! - Meryl

What is a Kiwi?

Examples of kiwis!

From the official New Zealand Web site...
The kiwi, New Zealand's national emblem, is a flightless bird with hair-like feathers and a long, slender bill which it uses to pull worms and insects out of the ground. Found only in New Zealand, it is active at night in the wilderness areas of the country. New Zealanders often refer to themselves as Kiwis, and the term is also used as a short form for the famous kiwifruit. On the stock exchange, the New Zealand Dollar is also referred to as 'the kiwi'.
-Meryl